A COMPHREHENSIVE LOOK INTO THE BRICS NATIONS HDI PERFORMANCE

1. BRAZIL

AVERAGE GROWTH
AVG GROWTH RATE (2000s) AVG GROWTH RATE (90s)
RATE(10s)
0.419% 0.663% 1.059%
According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Brazil's HDI has increased
significantly over the past 30 years. In 1990, Brazil's HDI was 0.590, which put it in the low human
development category. By 2020, Brazil's HDI had increased to 0.726, which put it in the high human
development category. This represents an 18.6% increase in Brazil's HDI over 30 years.

There are a number of factors that have contributed to Brazil's HDI growth over the past 30 years.
These include:

• Economic growth: Brazil's economy has grown steadily over the past 30 years, which has led
to increased income levels for many Brazilians.

• Improved education: Brazil has made significant investments in education over the past 30
years, which has led to an increase in literacy rates and school enrollment rates.

• Reduced poverty: Brazil has made progress in reducing poverty over the past 30 years, which
has improved the lives of millions of Brazilians.

Despite these gains, Brazil still faces a number of challenges in terms of human development. These
include:

• Income inequality: Brazil has one of the highest levels of income inequality in the world. This
means that the benefits of economic growth have not been evenly distributed.

• Hunger and malnutrition: Millions of Brazilians still suffer from hunger and malnutrition.

• Poor health: Brazil has a high maternal mortality rate and a high prevalence of diseases such
as HIV/AIDS and malaria.
 2. RUSSIA

AVERAGE GROWTH AVG GROWTH RATE

AVG GROWTH RATE (90s)
RATE(10s) (2000s)
0.341% 0.901% -0.334%
 • The HDI of Russia has increased from 0.699 in 1990 to 0.822 in 2021.

• This represents an increase of 15.7% over 30 years.

• Russia is now considered to have a very high level of human development.

• However, there are still some challenges that need to be addressed, such as income
inequality and life expectancy.

The HDI of Russia declined between 1990 and 1995 before recovering from 2000 onwards. The
decline in the early 1990s was due to a number of factors, including the collapse of the Soviet Union,
the economic recession that followed, and the subsequent social and political instability. The
recovery in the 2000s was due to a number of factors, including the economic growth that occurred
during this period, the government's investment in social programs, and the improvement in living
standards for many Russians.

The HDI of Russia is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. However, the pace of growth
is likely to slow down due to a number of factors, including the aging population, the ongoing
economic sanctions, and the political instability in the country.
 3. INDIA

AVERAGE GROWTH AVG GROWTH RATE

AVG GROWTH RATE (90s)
RATE(10s) (2000s)
0.947% 1.506% 1.257%
1990s:

• In the early 1990s, India's HDI was relatively low due to challenges such as high infant
mortality rates, low life expectancy, and limited access to quality education.
• Initiatives were launched during this period to improve primary education and healthcare
services.

2000s:

• During this decade, India made considerable strides in improving various HDI components.
Life expectancy increased due to advancements in healthcare, reduced child mortality, and
improved maternal health.
• The enrollment rates in primary and secondary education improved, indicating progress in
education accessibility.
• Economic growth, particularly in sectors like information technology and services,
contributed to higher per capita income levels.

2010s:

• India continued its efforts to improve human development indicators. The country focused
on reducing poverty, improving sanitation and hygiene, and increasing access to education.
• The government launched schemes like the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Campaign)
to address sanitation issues and improve living conditions.
• Despite these improvements, challenges such as high levels of inequality and regional
disparities persisted.
• Overall, India's HDI showed consistent growth over the last three decades. Improved
healthcare access, increased life expectancy, higher literacy rates, and economic growth
were key contributors to this progress. However, challenges like income inequality and
uneven development across different states remained areas of concern.
• The HDI of India has increased from 0.434 in 1990 to 0.633 in 2021.
• This represents an increase of 45.9% over 30 years.
 4. CHINA

AVERAGE GROWTH
AVG GROWTH RATE (2000s) AVG GROWTH RATE (90s)
RATE(10s)
0.990% 1.741% 1.876%
 • China's HDI has increased from 0.410 in 1978 to 0.752 in 2017.
• This represents an increase of 82.4% over 30 years.
• China is now considered to have a high level of human development.
• It is the only country to have moved from the low human development category to
the high human development category since UNDP first began analyzing global HDI
trends in 1990.

1990s: In the early 1990s, China's HDI was relatively low, reflecting its status as a developing
country. The country began implementing economic reforms and opening up its markets,
which led to rapid economic growth and poverty reduction. Life expectancy and education
indicators also improved during this period.

2000s: China's HDI continued to rise during the 2000s, driven by sustained economic growth
and development. Urbanization and industrialization played a major role in improving living
standards for many people. Investments in education and healthcare contributed to
increased access to education and longer life expectancies.

2010s: China's HDI growth remained strong during this decade. The country's efforts to shift
towards a more consumption-driven economy and invest in technology and innovation
contributed to its development. China's rise as a global economic powerhouse further fueled
improvements in HDI indicators.

Throughout this period, China's HDI growth was accompanied by challenges such as income
inequality, environmental concerns, and disparities between urban and rural areas. The
Chinese government initiated various policies and reforms to address these issues and
promote more balanced development.
 5. SOUTH AFRICA

AVERAGE GROWTH RATE(10s) AVG GROWTH RATE (2000s) AVG GROWTH RATE (90s)

0.581% 0.414% 0.105%

 • South Africa's HDI has increased from 0.627 in 1990 to 0.709 in 2021.
• This represents an increase of 13.1% over 30 years.
• South Africa is now considered to have a high level of human development.

Since the early 1990s, South Africa has undergone significant social, political, and economic
transformations. The end of apartheid and the establishment of a democratic government in
the mid-1990s marked a turning point for the country's development trajectory.
During the early 1990s, South Africa's HDI experienced some fluctuations due to the
challenges of transitioning from apartheid to democracy. The nation faced issues such as
high levels of inequality, unemployment, and HIV/AIDS prevalence, which had an impact on
human development indicators.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, South Africa saw improvements in various aspects of its
HDI. These included advances in life expectancy, education, and income. Government efforts
to expand access to healthcare, reduce poverty, and promote education contributed to
these positive changes.