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Topic 06 of 18 · Country Index 2026
China: Development & Human Capital
Is a country turning its resources into better lives?
China is placed 62nd of 196 countries on development & human capital in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Social Protection Coverage 75.6 (2025); Maternal Mortality Ratio 16.25 (2023).
Share
Development & Human Capital
62nd
of 196 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place China on development & human capital — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 2 of 3
Maternal Mortality Ratio
UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
16.25
Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births
Lower is better
China: 16.25. Across the 195 countries in this edition, values run from 0.11 (Cook Islands) to 992.83 (Nigeria); the world median is 46.65.
- World median
- 46.65
- Best in Eastern Asia
- 3.08 Japan
- Land neighbours
- Afghanistan 520.5 · Bhutan 46.65 · India 80.48 · Kazakhstan 9.58 · Kyrgyzstan 41.9 · Laos 112.15 · Myanmar 184.64 · Mongolia 40.51 · Nepal 142.01 · Pakistan 155.03 · North Korea 66.9 · Russia 9.4 · Tajikistan 13.86 · Vietnam 47.61
Key 3 of 3
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
0.797
HDI score (0–1)
Higher is better
Ranked 78th of 193 by UNDP Human Development Report Office
China: 0.797. Across the 193 countries in this edition, values run from 0.388 (South Sudan) to 0.972 (Iceland); the world median is 0.762.
- World median
- 0.762
- Best in Eastern Asia
- 0.955 Hong Kong
- Land neighbours
- Afghanistan 0.496 · Bhutan 0.698 · Hong Kong 0.955 · India 0.685 · Kazakhstan 0.837 · Kyrgyzstan 0.72 · Laos 0.617 · Myanmar 0.609 · Mongolia 0.747 · Nepal 0.622 · Pakistan 0.544 · Russia 0.832 · Tajikistan 0.691 · Vietnam 0.766
02Over time
Which way China is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Maternal Mortality Ratio
Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births · lower is better
ChinaWorld median
China fell from 55.67 in 2000 to 16.25 in 2023; the world median went from 70.99 to 46.65.
Every year’s figures
Year China World median 2023 16.3 46.7 2022 18.3 53.0 2021 20.9 76.6 2020 19.8 56.0 2019 21.1 48.4 2018 22.0 49.3 2017 23.7 47.2 2016 24.8 50.6 2015 26.2 51.9 2014 28.1 52.8 2013 29.8 53.3 2012 31.7 54.6 2011 32.5 55.0 2010 33.7 56.1 2009 34.7 56.3 2008 38.0 55.8 2007 37.6 56.8 2006 39.6 58.1 2005 42.0 60.1 2004 44.7 63.0 2003 47.1 66.8 2002 49.8 66.0 2001 52.4 68.1 2000 55.7 71.0 Human Development Index
HDI score (0–1) · higher is better
ChinaWorld median
China rose from 0.598 in 2000 to 0.797 in 2023; the world median went from 0.672 to 0.762.
Every year’s figures
Year China World median 2023 0.797 0.7620 2022 0.796 0.7610 2021 0.794 0.7450 2020 0.786 0.7425 2019 0.781 0.7515 2018 0.774 0.7520 2017 0.765 0.7480 2016 0.758 0.7500 2015 0.750 0.7430 2014 0.742 0.7410 2013 0.733 0.7390 2012 0.725 0.7350 2011 0.717 0.7250 2010 0.710 0.7250 2009 0.700 0.7220 2008 0.689 0.7180 2007 0.680 0.7100 2006 0.666 0.7045 2005 0.654 0.6960 2004 0.642 0.6960 2003 0.630 0.6910 2002 0.619 0.6845 2001 0.608 0.6770 2000 0.598 0.6720
03In context
China beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 196 countries on development & human capital, never a place within the region.
China and the countries it borders
Standing among all 196; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Social Protection CoveragePopulation covered by at least one social protection benefit (%) | Maternal Mortality RatioMaternal deaths per 100,000 live births | Human Development IndexHDI score (0–1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Hong Kong | 40th | 63.3 | — | 0.955 |
 Russiacompare | 42nd | 95.4 | 9.4 | 0.832 |
 Kazakhstan | 44th | 94.3 | 9.58 | 0.837 |
| China | 62nd | 75.6 | 16.25 | 0.797 |
 Mongolia | 75th | 93.5 | 40.51 | 0.747 |
 Tajikistan | 104th | 34.1 | 13.86 | 0.691 |
 Vietnam | 105th | 38.3 | 47.61 | 0.766 |
 Kyrgyzstan | 112th | 42.9 | 41.9 | 0.72 |
 Indiacompare | 114th | 64.3 | 80.48 | 0.685 |
 Bhutan | 133rd | 11.9 | 46.65 | 0.698 |
 Nepal | 145th | 21 | 142.01 | 0.622 |
 Laos | =147th | 15.5 | 112.15 | 0.617 |
 Pakistancompare | 154th | 20.2 | 155.03 | 0.544 |
 Myanmar | 162nd | 6.3 | 184.64 | 0.609 |
 Afghanistan | 189th | 7.5 | 520.5 | 0.496 |
 Macau | not placed | 75.3 | — | — |
 North Korea | not placed | — | 66.9 | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Eastern Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 196.
Placed either side on development & human capital
The countries immediately above and below China in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where China is ahead of the world, and behind
43 more statistics filed under development & human capital, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median31
Statistics on which China does better than the middle country measured.
Poverty Headcount at $3.00 a Day, Line-up EstimatesWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 2.102.1▲ Improved since 2014
China: 0 · world median 2.1 · Population below $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP, World Bank line-up estimate (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 89.54; lower is better.
Low Birthweight PrevalenceUNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates) · 2020 · world median 10.214.97410.21No real change since 2010
China: 4.974 · world median 10.21 · Live births weighing under 2,500 g (%). UNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 3.993 to 27.44; lower is better.
Position 147th of 158 · derived, 1st = worst.
Child MarriageUNICEF · 2025 · world median 17.12.817.1No earlier reading
China: 2.8 · world median 17.1 · Women 20–24 married before 18 (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 76.3; lower is better.
Position 130th of 143 · derived, 1st = worst.
Cereal YieldFAO · 2023 · world median 3,0726,4183,072No real change since 2013
China: 6,418 · world median 3,072 · Cereal yield (kg per hectare). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 23 to 29,147; higher is better.
Position 20th of 179 · derived.
Productive Capacities IndexUNCTAD · 2022 · world median 46.6761.5846.67▲ Improved since 2012
China: 61.58 · world median 46.67 · Productive Capacities Index (1–100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 17.8 to 71.02; higher is better.
Position 28th of 195 · derived.
Old-Age Pension CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 80.810080.8No earlier reading
China: 100 · world median 80.8 · People above statutory pensionable age receiving an old-age pension (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Foundational ID OwnershipWorld Bank Group (ID4D) · 2024 · world median 94.499.0294.4▲ Improved since 2017
China: 99.02 · world median 94.4 · Adults who own a foundational ID (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group (ID4D), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 42.62 to 100; higher is better.
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 13.84.813.8No earlier reading
China: 4.8 · world median 13.8 · Children under 5 who are stunted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.518 to 52.8; lower is better.
Position 135th of 162 · derived, 1st = worst.
Neonatal Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 8.1342.5948.134▲ Improved since 2014
China: 2.594 · world median 8.134 · Deaths in the first 28 days (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.544 to 39.47; lower is better.
Position 165th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Immunisation Coverage, DTP3WUENIC · 2025 · world median 919791▼ Worsened since 2015
China: 97 · world median 91 · Infants given a third dose of DTP vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 39 to 99; higher is better.
Infant Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 12.264.07912.26▲ Improved since 2014
China: 4.079 · world median 12.26 · Deaths before age one (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.214 to 71.87; lower is better.
Position 162nd of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Adequacy of Social Protection and Labour BenefitsWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 18.6536.8318.65No earlier reading
China: 36.83 · world median 18.65 · Benefits received as a share of beneficiaries' total income or consumption (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.455 to 90.86; higher is better.
Gender Inequality IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.3510.1320.351▲ Improved since 2013
China: 0.132 · world median 0.351 · GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 0.838; lower is better.
Ranked 41st of 172 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
Under-Five Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 14.545.72414.54▲ Improved since 2014
China: 5.724 · world median 14.54 · Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.26 to 115.65; lower is better.
Position 153rd of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 021.90No earlier reading
China: 21.9 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Wasting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 3.5461.93.546No earlier reading
China: 1.9 · world median 3.546 · Children under 5 who are wasted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.1 to 22.74; lower is better.
Position 122nd of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Human Capital IndexWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 0.5640.6530.564▲ Improved since 2017
China: 0.653 · world median 0.564 · HCI score (0–1). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.292 to 0.879; higher is better.
Position 45th of 172 · derived.
Account Ownership at a Financial InstitutionWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 72.8389.3872.83▲ Improved since 2014
China: 89.38 · world median 72.83 · Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 14.83 to 99.85; higher is better.
Position 38th of 139 · derived.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3415.4813.34▲ Improved since 2013
China: 15.48 · world median 13.34 · Expected years of schooling. UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 5.635 to 21.69; higher is better.
Position 58th of 195 · derived.
Immunisation Coverage, Measles First Dose (MCV1)WUENIC · 2025 · world median 909590▼ Worsened since 2015
China: 95 · world median 90 · Infants given a first dose of measles vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 13 to 99; higher is better.
Mortality Rate, Ages 5–14UN IGME · 2024 · world median 2.8581.6942.858▲ Improved since 2014
China: 1.694 · world median 2.858 · Deaths between ages 5 and 14 (per 1,000 children aged 5). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.392 to 59.04; lower is better.
Position 139th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Life Expectancy at BirthUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 74.6377.9574.63No real change since 2013
China: 77.95 · world median 74.63 · Years a newborn would live at current death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 54.46 to 86.37; higher is better.
Position 69th of 222 · derived.
Stillbirth RateUN IGME · 2023 · world median 8.1634.6698.163▲ Improved since 2013
China: 4.669 · world median 8.163 · Stillbirths (per 1,000 total births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.18 to 34.9; lower is better.
Position 138th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Global Multidimensional Poverty IndexOPHI · 2025 · world median 0.0390.0160.039▼ Worsened since 2018
China: 0.016 · world median 0.039 · MPI (0–1). Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 0.517; lower is better.
Position 74th of 109 · derived, 1st = worst.
Comprehensive Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 46,48682,71246,486▲ Improved since 2010
China: 82,712 · world median 46,486 · National comprehensive wealth per person (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 4,276 to 1,246,092; higher is better.
Position 54th of 150 · derived.
Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison)GGDC · 2022 · world median 12,89019,23812,890▲ Improved since 2012
China: 19,238 · world median 12,890 · GDP per capita (2011 international $). Maddison Project, Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 596.39 to 149,171; higher is better.
Position 61st of 166 · derived.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,23050,83525,230No real change since 2010
China: 50,835 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 57th of 151 · derived.
GDP per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 17,26525,06717,265▲ Improved since 2015
China: 25,067 · world median 17,265 · GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1,067 to 139,593; higher is better.
Position 71st of 185 · derived.
Inequality-adjusted Human Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6090.670.609▲ Improved since 2013
China: 0.67 · world median 0.609 · IHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.226 to 0.923; higher is better.
Position 67th of 169 · derived.
Gender Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.9710.9760.971▲ Improved since 2013
China: 0.976 · world median 0.971 · Gender Development Index (1.000 = parity). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.407 to 1.038; higher is better.
Position 74th of 184 · derived.
Coefficient of Human InequalityUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 17.0515.2417.05▼ Worsened since 2013
China: 15.24 · world median 17.05 · Coefficient of Human Inequality (%). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 4.865 to 43.08; lower is better.
Position 98th of 169 · derived, 1st = worst.
Behind the world median7
Statistics on which China does worse than the middle country measured.
Completeness of Birth RegistrationUNICEF · 2025 · world median 98.496.798.4No earlier reading
China: 96.7 · world median 98.4 · Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.7 to 100; higher is better.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.935.945.9No earlier reading
China: 35.9 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Planetary pressures-adjusted HDIUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6780.6440.678No real change since 2013
China: 0.644 · world median 0.678 · PHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.276 to 0.827; higher is better.
Position 92nd of 156 · derived.
Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 40.7435.140.74No earlier reading
China: 35.1 · world median 40.74 · Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.497 to 83.3; higher is better.
Position 84th of 136 · derived.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.9338.0369.933No real change since 2013
China: 8.036 · world median 9.933 · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.412 to 14.3; higher is better.
Position 127th of 193 · derived.
Statistical Performance IndicatorsWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 69.357.9369.3▼ Worsened since 2016
China: 57.93 · world median 69.3 · SPI overall score (0–100). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 27.12 to 94.14; higher is better.
Position 144th of 188 · derived.
Child and Family Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 23.752.923.75No earlier reading
China: 2.9 · world median 23.75 · Children or households with children receiving child or family cash benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Level with the median, or no median to compare3
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 100100100▼ Worsened since 2014
China: 100 · world median 100 · Population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 5.4 to 100; higher is better.
Access to Electricity, RuralWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 100100100▼ Worsened since 2014
China: 100 · world median 100 · Rural population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.7 to 100; higher is better.
Disability Benefit CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 43.943.943.9No earlier reading
China: 43.9 · world median 43.9 · People with severe disabilities receiving disability benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
No better end2
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 11.2624.7311.26Moved since 2015
China: 24.73 · world median 11.26 · Manufacturing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.481 to 43.97.
Position 7th of 132 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Net Official Development Assistance ReceivedOECD Development Assistance Committee · 2023 · world median 2.579-0.0012.579No real change since 2013
China: -0.001 · world median 2.579 · Net ODA received (% of GNI). OECD Development Assistance Committee, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from -0.001 to 101.78.
Position 130th of 130 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for China
Children with Functional Difficulties, Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, GNI per Capita (PPP) (last 2021), Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum) (last 2015), Malaria Incidence (P. vivax) (last 2016), Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum) (last 2015), Multidimensional Poverty Measure, Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI), Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day (last 2022), Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a Day (last 2022), Poverty Headcount Ratio at $4.20 a Day (last 2022), Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a Day (last 2022), Poverty Severity (Squared Poverty Gap) at $3.00 a Day (last 2022), Prosperity Gap (last 2022) and Violent Discipline of Children. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Development & Human Capital among China’s 16 topics
Development & Human Capital is China’s 8th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Food & Agriculture6th of 1844/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade9th of 1774/4 keys
- Digital & Technologyjoint 23rd of 1984/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing47th of 2003/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality39th of 1593/3 keys
- Education & Knowledge51st of 1982/4 keys
- Economy & Innovationjoint 46th of 1764/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital62nd of 1963/3 keys
- Work & Labour60th of 1824/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience80th of 1934/4 keys
- Energyjoint 87th of 1653/3 keys
- Peace & Security102nd of 1774/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions125th of 1944/4 keys
- Gender & Equality124th of 1834/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability157th of 1864/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties178th of 1983/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on development & human capital
The three countries placed highest of 196, and the leaders China can most readily be measured against.
1
Cook IslandsPolynesia
1st of 196 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: Benedict Adam · CC BY 2.0, greyscale
2
NorwayNorthern Europe
2nd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
DenmarkNorthern Europe
3rd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: User:Aconcagua · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Asia
Israel10th3/3 keysHighest in Eastern Asia
Japan18th3/3 keysThis page
China62nd3/3 keys
Positions out of 196 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about China and development & human capital
About China
China Leads Global High-Technology Exports
The world’s ten largest high-technology exporters as a treemap, with the rest of the world beside them. Each country’s figure is its own most recent year, between 2022 and 2024.
On development & human capital
Global Hunger Index 2025: Countries with the Most Alarming Hunger Crisis
Thirteen countries scored across four editions — 2000, 2008, 2016 and 2025 — and five the report could not score at all. DR Congo and South Sudan share 121st place on 37.5.
On development & human capital
India vs Pakistan 2025: Comparison of Hunger Index, Happiness, HDI, Rule of Law, Literacy & GDP
India and Pakistan on six published measures: hunger, happiness, human development, rule of law, literacy and GDP per capita, each from its own publisher and year.
08Questions
China on development & human capital: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does China rank on development & human capital?
China is placed 62nd of 196 countries on Development & Human Capital in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics (Social Protection Coverage, Maternal Mortality Ratio and Human Development Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Social Protection Coverage figure for China?
75.6 in 2025 (population covered by at least one social protection benefit (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 52.1.
What is the latest Maternal Mortality Ratio figure for China?
16.25 in 2023 (maternal deaths per 100,000 live births), according to UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG). The world median in the same edition was 46.65.
How does China compare with India on development & human capital?
India is placed 114th of 196, and China 62nd. Social Protection Coverage: India 64.3, China 75.6; Maternal Mortality Ratio: India 80.48, China 16.25; Human Development Index: India 0.685, China 0.797.
How have China’s development & human capital figures changed?
Maternal Mortality Ratio fell from 55.67 in 2000 to 16.25 in 2023; Human Development Index rose from 0.598 in 2000 to 0.797 in 2023.
Which development & human capital statistics are missing for China?
No current reading is published for China on Children with Functional Difficulties, Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, GNI per Capita (PPP), Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum), Malaria Incidence (P. vivax), Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum), Multidimensional Poverty Measure, Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI), Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a Day, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $4.20 a Day, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a Day, Poverty Severity (Squared Poverty Gap) at $3.00 a Day, Prosperity Gap and Violent Discipline of Children. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Poverty lines, inequality and aid received are published here as context rather than as keys, often because they cover fewer countries or are measured too rarely. Development is also not the same as economic size or growth, which belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Development & Human Capital standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 3 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 3 keys to be placed.
The development & human capital method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Social Protection Coverage — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Maternal Mortality Ratio — UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Human Development Index — UNDP Human Development Report Office, CC BY 3.0 IGO
The other 43 statistics on this page come from 15 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
China’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- China (banner) — Seebeer Edited by Nicholasjf21, Public domain
- Cook Islands — Benedict Adam, CC BY 2.0
- Norway — Ximonic , Simo Räsänen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Denmark — User:Aconcagua, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). China: Development & Human Capital — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/china/development