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University of Wisconsin–Madison
Poverty-related issues in the news, from the Institute for Research on Poverty

UN Human Development Report

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  • UN: ‘Significant progress’ in human development, By David Loyn, November 4, 2010, BBC News: “Launched 20 years ago with the simple line that ‘people are the real wealth of a nation’, the United Nations’ Human Development Report has become the most trusted annual indicator of progress in developing nations. The 20th anniversary report charts progress going back 20 years before that first publication – so it is an ambitious attempt to chart development achievements – or not – going back 40 years. The UN Development Programme’s report concludes that since 1970 there has been significant progress – often underestimated until now – and that the fastest progress has been in some of the poorest countries. It also concludes that aid works…”
  • 8 Indian States have 421 million multidimensionally poor people, By Aarti Dhar, November 4, 2010, The Hindu: “Eight Indian States are home to 421 million multidimensionally poor people, more than the figure of 410 million in 26 poorest African countries. The Multidimensional Poverty Index – which identifies serious simultaneous deprivations in health, education and income at the household level in 104 countries – brought out in the latest United Nations Human Development Report has calculated that South Asia is home to half of the world’s multi-dimensionally poor population, or 844 million people…”
  • Oman most-improved nation in last 40 years, UN index says, By Tavia Grant, November 4, 2010, The Globe and Mail: “Basic aspects of life such as health and education have improved for the vast majority of the planet’s population in the past two decades, with the greatest strides seen in the poorest countries, a United Nations report said Thursday. The UN’s human development index, launched in its 20th edition, shows that while development has not been uniform, huge steps in areas such as life expectancy, school enrollment, literacy and income means its index of 135 countries has climbed 18 per cent since 1990 and 41 per cent since 1970…”