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Topic 06 of 18 · Country Index 2026

Tuvalu: Development & Human Capital

Is a country turning its resources into better lives?

Tuvalu is placed 155th 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 4.5 (2025); Maternal Mortality Ratio 169.71 (2023).

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Development & Human Capital

155th

of 196 countries placed

Placed from 3 of 3 key statistics

Not placed in the Country Index 2026 overall: measured on too few topics.

01The evidence

The 3 key statistics that decide it

Only these place Tuvalu 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.

Why these keys
  1. Key 1 of 3

    Social Protection Coverage

    International Labour Organization (ILO)

    Why it is a key

    Latest reading per country, 2015–2025 · Tuvalu’s is from 2019 · CC BY 4.0

    4.5

    Population covered by at least one social protection benefit (%)

    Higher is better

    Tuvalu: 4.5. Across the 209 countries at their latest reading, values run from 0 (Somalia) to 100 (Switzerland); the world median is 52.1.

    World median
    52.1
    Best in Polynesia
    100 Cook Islands
  2. Key 2 of 3

    Maternal Mortality Ratio

    UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG)

    Why it is a key

    2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO

    169.71

    Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births

    Lower is better

    Tuvalu: 169.71. 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 Polynesia
    0.11 Cook Islands
  3. Key 3 of 3

    Human Development Index

    UNDP Human Development Report Office

    Why it is a key

    2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO

    0.689

    HDI score (0–1)

    Higher is better

    Ranked 129th of 193 by UNDP Human Development Report Office

    Tuvalu: 0.689. 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 Polynesia
    0.769 Tonga

03In context

Tuvalu 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.

Polynesia
1st196thNot placed · 28 countries with too few key statisticsNo data

The whole world on development & human capital

Tuvalu and Polynesia

Tuvalu has no land border, so the table compares it with its sub-region. Standing among all 196; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.

CountryStandingSocial Protection CoveragePopulation covered by at least one social protection benefit (%)Maternal Mortality RatioMaternal deaths per 100,000 live birthsHuman Development IndexHDI score (0–1)
Cook Islands1st1000.11—
Tonga115th28.266.780.769
Samoa=136th20.2101.490.708
Tuvalu155th4.5169.710.689
American Samoanot placed———
French Polynesianot placed———
Niuenot placed48.6——

“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is

Across Polynesia

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 Tuvalu in the topic’s list.

04Context, no vote

Where Tuvalu is ahead of the world, and behind

35 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.

Every country

Ahead of the world median12

Statistics on which Tuvalu does better than the middle country measured.

  • Immunisation Coverage, DTP3WUENIC · 2025 · world median 9199▲ Improved since 2015

    Tuvalu: 99 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Child MarriageUNICEF · 2025 · world median 17.11.8No earlier reading

    Tuvalu: 1.8 · 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 134th of 143 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Old-Age Pension CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 80.8100No earlier reading

    Tuvalu: 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Immunisation Coverage, Measles First Dose (MCV1)WUENIC · 2025 · world median 9097▲ Improved since 2015

    Tuvalu: 97 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Stunting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 13.85.676No earlier reading

    Tuvalu: 5.676 · 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 132nd of 162 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Global Multidimensional Poverty IndexOPHI · 2025 · world median 0.0390.008No real change since 2022

    Tuvalu: 0.008 · 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 81st of 109 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Productive Capacities IndexUNCTAD · 2022 · world median 46.6752.73▲ Improved since 2012

    Tuvalu: 52.73 · 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 64th of 195 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2022 dataset

  • Wasting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 3.5462.766No earlier reading

    Tuvalu: 2.766 · 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 104th of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.93310.77No real change since 2013

    Tuvalu: 10.77 · 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 79th of 193 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Coefficient of Human InequalityUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 17.0515.82No real change since 2019

    Tuvalu: 15.82 · 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 96th of 169 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 40.7443.8No earlier reading

    Tuvalu: 43.8 · 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 60th of 136 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Poverty Headcount at $3.00 a Day, Line-up EstimatesWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 2.11.33▲ Improved since 2014

    Tuvalu: 1.33 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

Behind the world median18

Statistics on which Tuvalu does worse than the middle country measured.

  • Gender Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.9710.969▲ Improved since 2013

    Tuvalu: 0.969 · 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 92nd of 184 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Disability Benefit CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 43.942.3No earlier reading

    Tuvalu: 42.3 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Neonatal Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 8.1348.692▲ Improved since 2014

    Tuvalu: 8.692 · 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 96th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Stillbirth RateUN IGME · 2023 · world median 8.1638.709▲ Improved since 2013

    Tuvalu: 8.709 · 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 92nd of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Violent Discipline of ChildrenUNICEF · 2025 · world median 75.879.7No earlier reading

    Tuvalu: 79.7 · world median 75.8 · Children aged 1-14 experiencing violent discipline (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 37.6 to 94; lower is better.

    Position 39th of 90 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Inequality-adjusted Human Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6090.578No real change since 2019

    Tuvalu: 0.578 · 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 99th of 169 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Multidimensional Poverty MeasureWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 4.2529.643No earlier reading

    Tuvalu: 9.643 · 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 61st of 157 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Infant Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 12.2616.5▲ Improved since 2014

    Tuvalu: 16.5 · 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 77th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Under-Five Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 14.5419.17No real change since 2014

    Tuvalu: 19.17 · 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 76th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Mortality Rate, Ages 5–14UN IGME · 2024 · world median 2.8584.19▲ Improved since 2014

    Tuvalu: 4.19 · 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 73rd of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3412.38No real change since 2013

    Tuvalu: 12.38 · 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 132nd of 195 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Completeness of Birth RegistrationUNICEF · 2025 · world median 98.487.2No earlier reading

    Tuvalu: 87.2 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Human Capital IndexWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 0.5640.448▼ Worsened since 2017

    Tuvalu: 0.448 · 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 128th of 172 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2020 dataset

  • GDP per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 17,2655,776▲ Improved since 2015

    Tuvalu: 5,776 · 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 143rd of 185 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Country Policy and Institutional AssessmentWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.2462.858▲ Improved since 2015

    Tuvalu: 2.858 · world median 3.246 · IDA Resource Allocation Index (1 = low to 6 = high). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 1.617 to 4.225; higher is better.

    Position 60th of 78 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Life Expectancy at BirthUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 74.6367.1▼ Worsened since 2013

    Tuvalu: 67.1 · 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 179th of 222 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Statistical Performance IndicatorsWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 69.343.02No real change since 2022

    Tuvalu: 43.02 · 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 174th of 188 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Child and Family Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 23.750No earlier reading

    Tuvalu: 0 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

Level with the median, or no median to compare3

  • Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 100100▲ Improved since 2014

    Tuvalu: 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Access to Electricity, RuralWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 100100▲ Improved since 2014

    Tuvalu: 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 00No earlier reading

    Tuvalu: 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

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.

  • Net Official Development Assistance ReceivedOECD Development Assistance Committee · 2023 · world median 2.579101.78No real change since 2013

    Tuvalu: 101.78 · 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 1st of 130 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Children with Functional DifficultiesUNICEF · 2024 · world median 1312.8No earlier reading

    Tuvalu: 12.8 · world median 13 · Children aged 5-17 with a functional difficulty (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.9 to 35.2.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

“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 Tuvalu’s 7 topics

Development & Human Capital is Tuvalu’s 5th best-placed topic of 7. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.

On the profile
  1. Democracy & Civil Liberties19th of 198
  2. Education & Knowledge30th of 198
  3. Risk & Resilience77th of 193
  4. Health & Wellbeing106th of 200
  5. Development & Human Capital155th of 196
  6. Governance & Institutions172nd of 194
  7. Digital & Technology191st of 198

No standing on Economy & Innovation, Work & Labour, Environment & Sustainability, Gender & Equality, Peace & Security, Mobility & Trade, Food & Agriculture, Poverty & Inequality, 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 Tuvalu can most readily be measured against.

All 196 countries
  1. 1

    Cook Islands

    Polynesia

    1st of 196 · 2 of 3 keys

    Photo: Benedict Adam · CC BY 2.0, greyscale

  2. 2

    Norway

    Northern Europe

    2nd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys

    Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale

  3. 3

    Denmark

    Northern Europe

    3rd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys

    Photo: User:Aconcagua · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale

Placed highest nearby

  1. Highest in Oceania

    Cook Islands1st2/3 keys
  2. This page

    Tuvalu155th3/3 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.

08Questions

Tuvalu 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 Tuvalu rank on development & human capital?

Tuvalu is placed 155th 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 Tuvalu?

4.5 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 Tuvalu?

169.71 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 have Tuvalu’s development & human capital figures changed?

Maternal Mortality Ratio fell from 237.3 in 2000 to 169.71 in 2023; Human Development Index rose from 0.61 in 2000 to 0.689 in 2023.

Which development & human capital statistics are missing for Tuvalu?

No current reading is published for Tuvalu on Account Ownership at a Financial Institution, Adequacy of Social Protection and Labour Benefits, Cereal Yield, Comprehensive Wealth per Capita, Employment Injury Protection Coverage, Foundational ID Ownership, Gender Inequality Index, GNI per Capita (PPP), Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison), Human Capital Wealth per Capita, Low Birthweight Prevalence, Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum), Malaria Incidence (P. vivax), Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum), Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP), Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI), Planetary pressures-adjusted HDI, 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 and Prosperity Gap. 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.

About development & human capital, in full

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

The other 35 statistics on this page come from 11 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

Tuvalu’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.

Cite this page

Nations Inquiry (2026). Tuvalu: Development & Human Capital — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/tuvalu/development

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