Costa Rica leads human development

Costa Rica, in 63th position globally, is the Central American country with the highest level of human development, according to the 2018 United Nations Development Programme.

Panama, second in the isthmus, was displaced by Costa Rica after dropping six places in the ranking in two years.

In Central America, only Panama and Costa Rica are considered to be high in development.

Norway leads the index for a third year in a row, while Niger is last.

The Human Development Index measures life expectancy, health, education, and standard of living among 188 countries, among other factors (number in brackets indicate each country’s global position).

1 Costa Rica (63)

2 Panama (66)

3 El Salvador (121)

4 Nicaragua (124)

5 Guatemala (127)

6 Honduras (133)