By Stephen Chandisareva
HARARE – Zimbabwe ranked 159 out of 193 countries, down 13 places from 146 previously, in the latest Human Development Index (HDI) by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
HDI is a composite index measuring average achievement in three basic dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, knowledge and a decent standard of living.
At 159, the southern African nation ranking was at the “same level as Uganda”.
“It is clear that the situation across the world is not cheering, but it is not all gloom and gloom in Zimbabwe,” UNDP country representative Ayodele Odusola told delegates at the launch of the 2023–2024 Global Human Development Report.
“Let’s fight the macroeconomic conditions we face… the rising inflation, depreciation of the local currency and El Nino induced drought. But I see a lot of opportunities.”
Zimbabwe is number 22 in Africa on HDI.
Odusola added that there are “opportunities we need to leverage”