The 2018 Statistical Update is the latest in the series of global Human Development Reports published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) since 1990 as independent, analytically and empirically grounded discussions of major development issues, trends and policies.

The Human Development Index (HDI), calculated for 189 countries, which measures progress in key dimensions of human development – health, education and living standards. The table Trends in the Human Development Index, highlights changes in HDI over a period ranging from 1990 to 2017, allowing for the analysis of long-term trends. The Inequality Adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI) covers 151 countries and measures the loss in human development due to unequal distribution of HDI gains.

Five statistical dashboards are also part of the 2018 Statistical update:  1) the Quality of human development dashboard 2) Life-course gender gap 3) Women’s empowerment; 4) Environmental sustainability and 5) Socioeconomic sustainability.