The latest flagship UN report on human development, released on Thursday, warns that multiple crises are halting progress on human development, which is going backwards in the overwhelming majority of countries. Here are five things to look out for in the report.
The 2021/22 Human Development Report (HDR) – which is entitled “Uncertain Times, Unsettled Lives: Shaping our Future in a Transforming World” – paints a picture of a global society lurching from crisis to crisis, and which risks heading towards increasing deprivation and injustice.
Heading the list of events causing major global disruption are the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which have come on top of sweeping social and economic shifts, dangerous planetary changes, and massive increases in polarization.
UN News
Human Development Report 2021/2022 – Almost all countries saw reversals in human development in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
1) First back-to-back decline in three decades
For the first time in the 32 years that the UN Development Programme (UNDP) has been calculating it, the Human Development Index, which measures a nation’s health, education, and standard of living, has declined globally for two years in a row.
This signals a deepening crisis for many regions, and Latin America, the Caribbean, Sub-Saharan Africa, and South Asia have been hit particularly hard.
Human development has fallen back to its 2016 levels, reversing much of the progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals which make up the 2030 Agenda, the UN’s blueprint for a fairer future for people and the planet.
“The world is scrambling to respond to back-to-back crises”, said Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator. “We have seen with the cost of living and energy crises that, while it is tempting to focus on quick fixes like subsidizing fossil fuels, immediate relief tactics are delaying the long-term systemic changes we must make”.
Mr. Steiner went on to call for a renewed sense of global solidarity to tackle “interconnected, common challenges”, but acknowledged that the international community is currently “paralyzed in making these changes”.
The study points to insecurity and polarization of views hampering efforts to bring about the solidarity that is needed to tackle the big global challenges, with data suggesting that those who are most insecure are more likely to hold extremist views. This phenomenon was observed even before the COVID-19 pandemic.
© UNICEF/Sandeep Biswas
Vaccines against COVID-19 were developed in record time
2) COVID-19 is ‘a window into a new reality’
Now into its third year, the pandemic is described in the report as “a window into a new reality”, rather than a detour from business as usual.
The development of effective vaccines is hailed as a monumental achievement, credited with saving around 20 million lives, and a demonstration of the huge power of innovation married to political will.
At the same time, the rollout of the vaccines laid bare the huge inequities of the global economy. Access has been paltry in many low-income countries, and women and girls have suffered the most, shouldering more household and caregiving responsibilities, and facing increased violence.
WFP/Kapil Dev
The floods in Pakistan are an example of the climate shocks seen around the world
3) We’re living through a new ‘uncertainty complex’
The successive waves of new COVID-19 variants, and warnings that future pandemics are increasingly likely, have helped to compound a generalized atmosphere of uncertainty that was growing in response to the dizzying pace of technological change, its effect on the workplace, and steadily growing fears surrounding the climate crisis.
The study’s authors warn that the global upheaval of the pandemic is nothing compared to what the world would experience if a collapse in biodiversity were to occur, and societies found themselves having to solve the challenge of growing food at scale, without insect pollinators. “For the first time in human history”, the report declares, “anthropogenic [man-made] existential threats loom larger than those from natural hazards”.
Three layers of today’s “uncertainty complex” are identified: dangerous planetary change, the transition to new ways of organizing industrial societies, and the intensification of political and social polarization.
“It is not just that typhoons are getting bigger and deadlier through human impact on the environment” says the report. “It is also as if, through our social choices, their destructive paths are being directed at the most vulnerable among us”.
ITU
Artificial Intelligence has many positive applications.
4) There is opportunity in uncertainty
Whilst change is inevitable, the ways in which we react are not. Although there are many well-founded fears surrounding the growing use of Artificial Intelligence, there are many demonstrable upsides to the technology, which is, amongst other things, helping to model the impacts of climate change, improve individualized learning, and help in the development of medicines.
One upshot to the post-COVID world is the creation of novel mRNA vaccine technology, which promises a breakthrough in the way that other diseases are treated.
The pandemic has also normalized paid sick leave, voluntary social distancing and self-isolation, all important for our response to future pandemics.
IOM/Jorge Galindo
Solar lamps are a clean, cost-effective way to bring lighting to those with no access to electricity
5) We can chart a new course
The last three years could serve to show what we are capable of, when we move beyond conventional ways of doing things, and lead us to transform our institutions so that they are better suited to today’s world.
According to Mr. Steiner, the analysis contained within the report can help to chart a new course out of the current global uncertainty.
“We have a narrow window to re-boot our systems and secure a future built on decisive climate action and new opportunities for all,” said the development chief.
This new direction involves implementing policies that focus on investment, from renewable energy to preparedness for pandemics; insurance, including social protection, to prepare our societies for the ups and downs of an uncertain world; and innovation that helps countries to better respond to whatever challenges come next.
“To navigate uncertainty, we need to double down on human development and look beyond improving people’s wealth or health,” says UNDP’s Pedro Conceição, the report’s lead author. “These remain important. But we also need to protect the planet and provide people with the tools they need to feel more secure, regain a sense of control over their lives and have hope for the future.”
Elliot is an award-winning journalist passionate about international affairs and humanitarian causes. Elliot has covered stories from conflict zones and areas devastated by disasters, highlighting critical global issues.
The current state of human development, as highlighted in the UN report, is concerning. It is evident that multiple crises are impeding progress and causing regression in many countries, paving the way for increased deprivation and injustice. The combination of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and other global disruptions is exacerbating the situation, with the world teetering on the brink of further challenges.
It’s truly concerning to see that most countries are slipping in human development. The global society is facing multiple crises, and it’s disheartening that progress is halting. We must work towards addressing these challenges to ensure a brighter future for all.
It’s disheartening to see that most countries are experiencing setbacks in human development. The report underscores the urgent need for global cooperation and action to address the multiple crises we are facing. Let’s hope for positive changes in the near future.
Could you provide more details on how the pandemic and global crises have specifically impacted human development indicators?
Hi EmilySmith, the pandemic and global crises have significantly affected human development indicators in various ways. For instance, the economic downturn led to increased poverty rates, the disruption of education systems resulted in learning setbacks, and healthcare systems were strained, impacting access to essential services. These challenges highlight the urgent need for global cooperation and innovative solutions to address the setbacks in human development. Hope this helps clarify the impacts for you.
Is there any data in the report about specific regions that have been most affected by the setbacks in human development?
Yes, the report highlights that sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Latin America have experienced the most significant setbacks in human development indicators. These regions are facing challenges such as extreme poverty, limited access to healthcare, and lack of educational opportunities, exacerbating the already existing inequalities. It’s crucial for global leaders to focus on targeted interventions in these regions to address the root causes of these setbacks and promote sustainable development.
Do you think the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on human development could have been mitigated with better global cooperation?
Sure, Jennifer87, I believe that improved global cooperation could have definitely helped mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on human development. Collaborative efforts in areas such as healthcare, economy, and social support systems could have potentially lessened the disruptions and enabled a more coordinated response to the challenges we faced.
It’s disheartening to see that most countries are experiencing a setback in human development. The world is facing numerous crises that are impeding progress and pushing us backwards. We must come together to address these challenges and work towards a more sustainable future.
It’s disappointing to see that most countries are slipping in human development. The UN report highlights the urgent need for global cooperation and action to address the multiple crises hindering progress. We must work together to ensure a better future for all.
In my opinion, the findings of this report are alarming. It’s disheartening to see that so many countries are regressing in terms of human development. We must urgently address the multiple crises highlighted in the report to prevent further setbacks.