Photo: Stefano Brivio · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 06 of 18 · Country Index 2026
United States: Development & Human Capital
Is a country turning its resources into better lives?
United States is placed 46th 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 78.8 (2025); Maternal Mortality Ratio 16.63 (2023).
Share
Development & Human Capital
46th
of 196 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place United States 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
16.63
Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births
Lower is better
United States: 16.63. 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 Northern America
- 11.78 Canada
- Land neighbours
- Canada 11.78 · Mexico 42.11
Key 3 of 3
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
0.938
HDI score (0–1)
Higher is better
Ranked 17th of 193 by UNDP Human Development Report Office
United States: 0.938. 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 Northern America
- 0.939 Canada
- Land neighbours
- Canada 0.939 · Mexico 0.789
02Over time
Which way United States 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
United StatesWorld median
United States rose from 12.09 in 2000 to 16.63 in 2023; the world median went from 70.99 to 46.65.
Every year’s figures
Year United States World median 2023 16.63 46.7 2022 20.04 53.0 2021 31.21 76.6 2020 22.46 56.0 2019 17.52 48.4 2018 17.55 49.3 2017 17.86 47.2 2016 17.79 50.6 2015 17.02 51.9 2014 16.54 52.8 2013 16.06 53.3 2012 15.68 54.6 2011 15.34 55.0 2010 14.58 56.1 2009 14.60 56.3 2008 13.85 55.8 2007 13.49 56.8 2006 13.48 58.1 2005 13.36 60.1 2004 13.22 63.0 2003 13.32 66.8 2002 12.98 66.0 2001 12.66 68.1 2000 12.09 71.0 Human Development Index
HDI score (0–1) · higher is better
United StatesWorld median
United States rose from 0.895 in 2000 to 0.938 in 2023; the world median went from 0.672 to 0.762.
Every year’s figures
Year United States World median 2023 0.938 0.7620 2022 0.930 0.7610 2021 0.921 0.7450 2020 0.925 0.7425 2019 0.936 0.7515 2018 0.934 0.7520 2017 0.931 0.7480 2016 0.929 0.7500 2015 0.928 0.7430 2014 0.926 0.7410 2013 0.925 0.7390 2012 0.923 0.7350 2011 0.920 0.7250 2010 0.919 0.7250 2009 0.915 0.7220 2008 0.914 0.7180 2007 0.914 0.7100 2006 0.911 0.7045 2005 0.907 0.6960 2004 0.905 0.6960 2003 0.900 0.6910 2002 0.898 0.6845 2001 0.897 0.6770 2000 0.895 0.6720
03In context
United States 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.
United States 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Canadacompare | =27th | 95.6 | 11.78 | 0.939 |
| United States | 46th | 78.8 | 16.63 | 0.938 |
 Mexicocompare | 72nd | 80.8 | 42.11 | 0.789 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Northern America
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 196.
- Canada=27th
- United States46th
Bermudanot placed
Greenlandnot placed
Placed either side on development & human capital
The countries immediately above and below United States in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where United States is ahead of the world, and behind
46 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 median37
Statistics on which United States does better than the middle country measured.
Wasting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 3.5460.13.546No earlier reading
United States: 0.1 · 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 163rd of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Productive Capacities IndexUNCTAD · 2022 · world median 46.6770.4946.67No real change since 2012
United States: 70.49 · 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 2nd of 195 · derived.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.93313.919.933No real change since 2013
United States: 13.91 · 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 3rd of 193 · derived.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,230503,35025,230No real change since 2010
United States: 503,350 · 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 4th of 151 · derived.
Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison)GGDC · 2022 · world median 12,89058,48712,890No real change since 2012
United States: 58,487 · world median 12,890 · GDP per capita (2011 international $). Maddison Project, Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 596.39 to 149,171; higher is better.
Position 8th of 166 · derived.
Comprehensive Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 46,486751,63246,486No real change since 2010
United States: 751,632 · world median 46,486 · National comprehensive wealth per person (real chained 2019 US$). 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 8th of 150 · derived.
GDP per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 17,26576,93117,265No real change since 2015
United States: 76,931 · 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 10th of 185 · derived.
Cereal YieldFAO · 2023 · world median 3,0728,3303,072No real change since 2013
United States: 8,330 · 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 10th of 179 · derived.
Statistical Performance IndicatorsWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 69.390.0669.3▼ Worsened since 2016
United States: 90.06 · 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 18th of 188 · derived.
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 13.83.813.8No earlier reading
United States: 3.8 · 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 141st of 162 · derived, 1st = worst.
Stillbirth RateUN IGME · 2023 · world median 8.1632.6818.163No real change since 2013
United States: 2.681 · 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 173rd of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 050.50No earlier reading
United States: 50.5 · 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.
Completeness of Birth RegistrationUNICEF · 2025 · world median 98.410098.4No earlier reading
United States: 100 · 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.
Disability Benefit CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 43.910043.9No earlier reading
United States: 100 · 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 80.810080.8No earlier reading
United States: 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.
Inequality-adjusted Human Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6090.8320.609▼ Worsened since 2013
United States: 0.832 · 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 29th of 169 · derived.
Account Ownership at a Financial InstitutionWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 72.8397.0272.83No real change since 2014
United States: 97.02 · 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 25th of 139 · derived.
Gender Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.9711.0090.971▼ Worsened since 2013
United States: 1.009 · 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 33rd of 184 · derived.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.987.245.9No earlier reading
United States: 87.2 · 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.
Human Capital IndexWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 0.5640.7020.564▲ Improved since 2010
United States: 0.702 · 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 35th of 172 · derived.
Child and Family Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 23.7582.423.75No earlier reading
United States: 82.4 · 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.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3415.9213.34▼ Worsened since 2013
United States: 15.92 · 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 47th of 195 · derived.
Life Expectancy at BirthUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 74.6379.374.63▼ Worsened since 2013
United States: 79.3 · 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 57th of 222 · derived.
Mortality Rate, Ages 5–14UN IGME · 2024 · world median 2.8581.4872.858▼ Worsened since 2014
United States: 1.487 · 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 149th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Gender Inequality IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.3510.1690.351▲ Improved since 2013
United States: 0.169 · 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 45th of 172 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
Neonatal Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 8.1343.6528.134▼ Worsened since 2014
United States: 3.652 · 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 148th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Infant Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 12.265.48212.26▼ Worsened since 2014
United States: 5.482 · 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 146th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Under-Five Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 14.546.47214.54▼ Worsened since 2014
United States: 6.472 · 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 146th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Coefficient of Human InequalityUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 17.0510.717.05▼ Worsened since 2013
United States: 10.7 · 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 120th of 169 · derived, 1st = worst.
Multidimensional Poverty MeasureWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 4.2521.2764.252No earlier reading
United States: 1.276 · 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 110th of 157 · derived, 1st = worst.
Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 7.822.17.82▼ Worsened since 2013
United States: 2.1 · 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 41st of 59 · derived, 1st = worst.
Low Birthweight PrevalenceUNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates) · 2020 · world median 10.218.26110.21No real change since 2010
United States: 8.261 · 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 103rd of 158 · derived, 1st = worst.
Immunisation Coverage, DTP3WUENIC · 2025 · world median 919491No real change since 2015
United States: 94 · 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.
Poverty Headcount at $3.00 a Day, Line-up EstimatesWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 2.11.022.1▼ Worsened since 2014
United States: 1.02 · 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.
Immunisation Coverage, Measles First Dose (MCV1)WUENIC · 2025 · world median 909290▲ Improved since 2015
United States: 92 · 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.
Prosperity GapWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 1.7541.4341.754▼ Worsened since 2013
United States: 1.434 · 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 34th of 60 · derived, 1st = worst.
Planetary pressures-adjusted HDIUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6780.6860.678No real change since 2013
United States: 0.686 · 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 73rd of 156 · derived.
Behind the world median7
Statistics on which United States does worse than the middle country measured.
Poverty Headcount Ratio at $4.20 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 1.341.41.34▼ Worsened since 2013
United States: 1.4 · 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 30th of 59 · derived, 1st = worst.
Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 0.931.20.93▼ Worsened since 2013
United States: 1.2 · 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 25th of 58 · derived, 1st = worst.
Foundational ID OwnershipWorld Bank Group (ID4D) · 2024 · world median 94.489.894.4No earlier reading
United States: 89.8 · 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.
Poverty Gap at $3.00 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 0.3450.950.345▼ Worsened since 2013
United States: 0.95 · 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 15th of 59 · derived, 1st = worst.
Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 40.7425.840.74No earlier reading
United States: 25.8 · 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 108th of 136 · derived.
Poverty Severity (Squared Poverty Gap) at $3.00 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 0.1850.790.185▼ Worsened since 2013
United States: 0.79 · 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.
Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI)OECD Development Assistance Committee · 2025 · world median 0.270.090.27▼ Worsened since 2018
United States: 0.09 · world median 0.27 · ODA given (% of the provider's GNI, grant equivalent). OECD Development Assistance Committee, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.05 to 1.03; higher is better.
Level with the median, or no median to compare2
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 100100100▼ Worsened since 2014
United States: 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
United States: 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.
No current reading for United States
Adequacy of Social Protection and Labour Benefits, Child Marriage, Children with Functional Difficulties, Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, Global Multidimensional Poverty Index, GNI per Capita (PPP) (last 2024), Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum), Malaria Incidence (P. vivax), Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum), Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP) (last 2021), Net Official Development Assistance Received 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 United States’s 16 topics
Development & Human Capital is United States’s 8th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Mobility & Trade7th of 1774/4 keys
- Digital & Technology8th of 1984/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture12th of 1844/4 keys
- Work & Labour14th of 1824/4 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 25th of 1944/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeingjoint 30th of 2004/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation28th of 1764/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital46th of 1963/3 keys
- Gender & Equalityjoint 43rd of 1834/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge60th of 1983/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties68th of 1984/4 keys
- Energy59th of 1653/3 keys
- Risk & Resilience72nd of 1934/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality79th of 1593/3 keys
- Peace & Security136th of 1774/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability171st of 1864/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on development & human capital
The three countries placed highest of 196, and the leaders United States 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 Americas
Canada=27th3/3 keysThis page
United States46th3/3 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 United States and development & human capital
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
United States 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 United States rank on development & human capital?
United States is placed 46th 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 United States?
78.8 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 United States?
16.63 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 United States compare with Mexico on development & human capital?
Mexico is placed 72nd of 196, and United States 46th. Social Protection Coverage: Mexico 80.8, United States 78.8; Maternal Mortality Ratio: Mexico 42.11, United States 16.63; Human Development Index: Mexico 0.789, United States 0.938.
How have United States’s development & human capital figures changed?
Maternal Mortality Ratio rose from 12.09 in 2000 to 16.63 in 2023; Human Development Index rose from 0.895 in 2000 to 0.938 in 2023.
Which development & human capital statistics are missing for United States?
No current reading is published for United States on Adequacy of Social Protection and Labour Benefits, Child Marriage, Children with Functional Difficulties, Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, Global Multidimensional Poverty Index, GNI per Capita (PPP), Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum), Malaria Incidence (P. vivax), Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum), Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP), Net Official Development Assistance Received 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 46 statistics on this page come from 14 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
United States’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- United States (banner) — Stefano Brivio, CC BY 2.0
- 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). United States: Development & Human Capital — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/united-states/development