Human development index improves in Venezuela

[Judi Lynn]

(It must have absolutely KILLED this "opposition" newspaper in Venezuela to have to run this story! A bitter obligation, for sure.)

Caracas, Friday November 10 , 2006

Human development index improves in Venezuela

Venezuela has made progress in some of the variables considered by the United Nations Development Program to define the human development index.

The rank -with Norway at the first position and Niger last- considers data related to income, education and access to healthcare, among other factors. Both countries were ranked in the same position in the 2005 Human Development Report, Efe informed.

Venezuela improved from the 75th position in 2005 to the 72nd position this year among 177 countries. According to the report, some variables have not changed significantly in the country, such as life expectancy (from 72.9 years in 2005 to 73 years in 2006) and literacy rate, which remained unchanged at 93 percent.

Per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) -which amounted to USD 4,919 in the 2005 report, based on 2003 data- increased to USD 6,043, based on information corresponding to 2004.

However, in the human poverty index Venezuela occupies the 16th position (compared to the 14th position last year). In this list, Uruguay is ranked first and Mali last. However, when analyzing particular data, it can be noticed that Venezuela has managed to reduce the number of people living under the poverty line.
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http://english.eluniversal.com/2006/11/10/en_pol_art_10A802361.shtml