Photo: Kumaravels derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי · CC BY 2.5 in · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 06 of 18 · Country Index 2026
India: Development & Human Capital
Is a country turning its resources into better lives?
India is placed 114th 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 64.3 (2025); Maternal Mortality Ratio 80.48 (2023).
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Development & Human Capital
114th
of 196 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place India 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
80.48
Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births
Lower is better
India: 80.48. 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 Southern Asia
- 15.84 Iran
- Land neighbours
- Bangladesh 115.11 · Bhutan 46.65 · China 16.25 · Myanmar 184.64 · Nepal 142.01 · Pakistan 155.03
Key 3 of 3
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
0.685
HDI score (0–1)
Higher is better
Ranked 130th of 193 by UNDP Human Development Report Office
India: 0.685. 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 Southern Asia
- 0.799 Iran
- Land neighbours
- Bangladesh 0.685 · Bhutan 0.698 · China 0.797 · Myanmar 0.609 · Nepal 0.622 · Pakistan 0.544
02Over time
Which way India 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
IndiaWorld median
India fell from 362.3 in 2000 to 80.48 in 2023; the world median went from 70.99 to 46.65.
Every year’s figures
Year India World median 2023 80.5 46.7 2022 89.7 53.0 2021 154.8 76.6 2020 100.5 56.0 2019 101.1 48.4 2018 107.0 49.3 2017 113.0 47.2 2016 120.8 50.6 2015 128.5 51.9 2014 136.9 52.8 2013 148.2 53.3 2012 160.1 54.6 2011 173.4 55.0 2010 188.3 56.1 2009 205.1 56.3 2008 222.7 55.8 2007 240.3 56.8 2006 258.3 58.1 2005 276.5 60.1 2004 296.4 63.0 2003 313.0 66.8 2002 330.1 66.0 2001 349.1 68.1 2000 362.3 71.0 Human Development Index
HDI score (0–1) · higher is better
IndiaWorld median
India rose from 0.501 in 2000 to 0.685 in 2023; the world median went from 0.672 to 0.762.
Every year’s figures
Year India World median 2023 0.685 0.7620 2022 0.676 0.7610 2021 0.647 0.7450 2020 0.652 0.7425 2019 0.651 0.7515 2018 0.648 0.7520 2017 0.649 0.7480 2016 0.644 0.7500 2015 0.633 0.7430 2014 0.625 0.7410 2013 0.615 0.7390 2012 0.609 0.7350 2011 0.603 0.7250 2010 0.590 0.7250 2009 0.579 0.7220 2008 0.574 0.7180 2007 0.566 0.7100 2006 0.557 0.7045 2005 0.547 0.6960 2004 0.538 0.6960 2003 0.529 0.6910 2002 0.516 0.6845 2001 0.511 0.6770 2000 0.501 0.6720
03In context
India 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.
India 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Chinacompare | 62nd | 75.6 | 16.25 | 0.797 |
| India | 114th | 64.3 | 80.48 | 0.685 |
 Bhutan | 133rd | 11.9 | 46.65 | 0.698 |
 Bangladeshcompare | 138th | 22 | 115.11 | 0.685 |
 Nepalcompare | 145th | 21 | 142.01 | 0.622 |
 Pakistancompare | 154th | 20.2 | 155.03 | 0.544 |
 Myanmar | 162nd | 6.3 | 184.64 | 0.609 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern 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 India in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where India is ahead of the world, and behind
54 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 median13
Statistics on which India does better than the middle country measured.
Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 40.7463.6940.74No earlier reading
India: 63.69 · 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 16th of 136 · derived.
Immunisation Coverage, Measles First Dose (MCV1)WUENIC · 2025 · world median 909890▲ Improved since 2015
India: 98 · 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.
Foundational ID OwnershipWorld Bank Group (ID4D) · 2024 · world median 94.499.1994.4▲ Improved since 2017
India: 99.19 · 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.
Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum)MAP · 2025 · world median 52.470.92552.47▲ Improved since 2015
India: 0.925 · world median 52.47 · New P. falciparum malaria cases per 1,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 334.75; lower is better.
Account Ownership at a Financial InstitutionWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 72.8389.0272.83▲ Improved since 2014
India: 89.02 · 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 40th of 139 · derived.
Poverty Severity (Squared Poverty Gap) at $3.00 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 0.1850.080.185▲ Improved since 2022
India: 0.08 · world median 0.185 · Squared poverty gap at $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (0–100). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 9.74; lower is better.
Child and Family Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 23.7551.923.75No earlier reading
India: 51.9 · 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.
Immunisation Coverage, DTP3WUENIC · 2025 · world median 919591▲ Improved since 2015
India: 95 · 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.
Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum)MAP · 2024 · world median 8.1061.0658.106▲ Improved since 2014
India: 1.065 · world median 8.106 · Deaths from P. falciparum malaria per 100,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 133.27; lower is better.
Malaria Incidence (P. vivax)MAP · 2025 · world median 1.3820.3631.382▲ Improved since 2015
India: 0.363 · world median 1.382 · New P. vivax malaria cases per 1,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.001 to 184.62; lower is better.
Cereal YieldFAO · 2023 · world median 3,0723,6023,072▲ Improved since 2013
India: 3,602 · 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 76th of 179 · derived.
Statistical Performance IndicatorsWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 69.373.7269.3▼ Worsened since 2016
India: 73.72 · 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 84th of 188 · derived.
Poverty Gap at $3.00 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 0.3450.340.345▲ Improved since 2022
India: 0.34 · world median 0.345 · Poverty gap at $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 19.95; lower is better.
Position 31st of 59 · derived, 1st = worst.
Behind the world median38
Statistics on which India does worse than the middle country measured.
Poverty Headcount at $3.00 a Day, Line-up EstimatesWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 2.12.292.1▲ Improved since 2014
India: 2.29 · 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.
Global Multidimensional Poverty IndexOPHI · 2025 · world median 0.0390.0690.039▼ Worsened since 2018
India: 0.069 · 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 51st of 109 · derived, 1st = worst.
Productive Capacities IndexUNCTAD · 2022 · world median 46.6745.746.67▲ Improved since 2012
India: 45.7 · 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 108th of 195 · derived.
Planetary pressures-adjusted HDIUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6780.6560.678▲ Improved since 2013
India: 0.656 · 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 89th of 156 · derived.
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10099.9100▲ Improved since 2014
India: 99.9 · 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 10099.9100▲ Improved since 2014
India: 99.9 · 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.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3412.9513.34▲ Improved since 2013
India: 12.95 · 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 115th of 195 · derived.
Gender Inequality IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.3510.4030.351▲ Improved since 2013
India: 0.403 · 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 102nd of 172 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
GNI per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 14,2739,91014,273▲ Improved since 2015
India: 9,910 · world median 14,273 · GNI per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1,181 to 116,633; higher is better.
Position 61st of 102 · derived.
Child MarriageUNICEF · 2025 · world median 17.123.317.1No earlier reading
India: 23.3 · 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 56th of 143 · derived, 1st = worst.
Mortality Rate, Ages 5–14UN IGME · 2024 · world median 2.8584.0722.858▲ Improved since 2014
India: 4.072 · 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 76th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Life Expectancy at BirthUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 74.637274.63▲ Improved since 2013
India: 72 · 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 139th of 222 · derived.
Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison)GGDC · 2022 · world median 12,8907,76612,890▲ Improved since 2012
India: 7,766 · 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 106th of 166 · derived.
Disability Benefit CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 43.918.343.9No earlier reading
India: 18.3 · 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.
Old-Age Pension CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 80.845.980.8No earlier reading
India: 45.9 · 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.
Human Capital IndexWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 0.5640.4940.564▲ Improved since 2017
India: 0.494 · 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 114th of 172 · derived.
GDP per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 17,26510,03917,265▲ Improved since 2015
India: 10,039 · 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 124th of 185 · derived.
Multidimensional Poverty MeasureWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 4.25217.744.252No earlier reading
India: 17.74 · world median 4.252 · Multidimensional poverty headcount ratio (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 87.96; lower is better.
Position 51st of 157 · derived, 1st = worst.
Under-Five Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 14.5426.5814.54▲ Improved since 2014
India: 26.58 · 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 63rd of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Stillbirth RateUN IGME · 2023 · world median 8.16311.818.163▲ Improved since 2013
India: 11.81 · 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 62nd of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Completeness of Birth RegistrationUNICEF · 2025 · world median 98.489.198.4No earlier reading
India: 89.1 · 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.
Infant Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 12.2623.3512.26▲ Improved since 2014
India: 23.35 · 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 61st of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Inequality-adjusted Human Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6090.4750.609No real change since 2013
India: 0.475 · 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 120th of 169 · derived.
Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 0.932.570.93▲ Improved since 2022
India: 2.57 · world median 0.93 · Population below $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 54.36; lower is better.
Position 18th of 58 · derived, 1st = worst.
Neonatal Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 8.13416.668.134▲ Improved since 2014
India: 16.66 · world median 8.134 · Deaths in the first 28 days (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.544 to 39.47; lower is better.
Position 54th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.9336.889.933▲ Improved since 2013
India: 6.88 · world median 9.933 · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.412 to 14.3; higher is better.
Position 143rd of 193 · derived.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,2309,60725,230No real change since 2010
India: 9,607 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 113th of 151 · derived.
Coefficient of Human InequalityUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 17.0529.917.05▲ Improved since 2013
India: 29.9 · 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 43rd of 169 · derived, 1st = worst.
Comprehensive Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 46,48615,86946,486▲ Improved since 2010
India: 15,869 · 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 116th of 150 · derived.
Adequacy of Social Protection and Labour BenefitsWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 18.657.29718.65No earlier reading
India: 7.297 · 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.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.98.345.9No earlier reading
India: 8.3 · 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.
Poverty Headcount Ratio at $4.20 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 1.3416.121.34▲ Improved since 2022
India: 16.12 · world median 1.34 · Population below $4.20 a day, 2021 PPP (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 72.3; lower is better.
Position 9th of 59 · derived, 1st = worst.
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 13.835.4713.8No earlier reading
India: 35.47 · 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 18th of 162 · derived, 1st = worst.
Gender Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.9710.8740.971▲ Improved since 2013
India: 0.874 · 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 165th of 184 · derived.
Prosperity GapWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 1.7544.9471.754▼ Worsened since 2022
India: 4.947 · world median 1.754 · Average factor incomes must rise by to reach $28 a day. World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.406 to 12.06; lower is better.
Position 5th of 60 · derived, 1st = worst.
Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 7.8279.987.82▼ Worsened since 2022
India: 79.98 · world median 7.82 · Population below $8.30 a day, 2021 PPP (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.07 to 93.58; lower is better.
Position 3rd of 59 · derived, 1st = worst.
Wasting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 3.54618.753.546No earlier reading
India: 18.75 · 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 2nd of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Low Birthweight PrevalenceUNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates) · 2020 · world median 10.2127.4410.21No real change since 2010
India: 27.44 · 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 1st of 158 · derived, 1st = worst.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 000No earlier reading
India: 0 · 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.
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 11.2613.4711.26Moved since 2015
India: 13.47 · 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 48th of 132 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Net Official Development Assistance ReceivedOECD Development Assistance Committee · 2023 · world median 2.5790.0692.579Moved since 2013
India: 0.069 · 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 122nd of 130 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for India
Children with Functional Difficulties, Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (last 2013), Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI) 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 India’s 15 topics
Development & Human Capital is India’s 9th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Digital & Technology5th of 1984/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade15th of 1774/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge44th of 1983/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequalityjoint 44th of 1593/3 keys
- Governance & Institutions73rd of 1944/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability85th of 1864/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation86th of 1764/4 keys
- Work & Labourjoint 99th of 1824/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital114th of 1963/3 keys
- Democracy & Civil Libertiesjoint 119th of 1984/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture111th of 1842/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing150th of 2003/4 keys
- Peace & Securityjoint 140th of 1774/4 keys
- Gender & Equality154th of 1834/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience182nd of 1934/4 keys
No standing on Energy: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on development & human capital
The three countries placed highest of 196, and the leaders India 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 Southern Asia
Iran48th3/3 keysThis page
India114th3/3 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 India and development & human capital
India · 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.
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.
08Questions
India 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 India rank on development & human capital?
India is placed 114th 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 India?
64.3 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 India?
80.48 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 India compare with China on development & human capital?
China is placed 62nd of 196, and India 114th. Social Protection Coverage: China 75.6, India 64.3; Maternal Mortality Ratio: China 16.25, India 80.48; Human Development Index: China 0.797, India 0.685.
How have India’s development & human capital figures changed?
Maternal Mortality Ratio fell from 362.3 in 2000 to 80.48 in 2023; Human Development Index rose from 0.501 in 2000 to 0.685 in 2023.
Which development & human capital statistics are missing for India?
No current reading is published for India on Children with Functional Difficulties, Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI) 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 54 statistics on this page come from 16 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
India’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- India (banner) — Kumaravels derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי, CC BY 2.5 in
- 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). India: Development & Human Capital — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/india/development