Al-Bairaq project engages Qatar University students on teamwork.
A report issued by the UNDP on Monday in Stockholm under the theme 'Human Development for All' has put Qatar in the first place among Arab Countries and at 33rd position in the world in terms of Human Development Index (HDI).
In regard to Qatar, the general indicator of human development has risen from 0.855 in 2015 to 0.856 in 2016, with life expectancy at birth (years) 78.3 for the data of 2016.
In areas of education, expected years of schooling (years) has increased to 96.7% in 2015 to 97.8% in 2016 while the rate of joining higher education has increased from 14% in 2015 to 16 % last year.
Employment to population ratio (ages 15 and older), the report showed that participation has increased to 84.6 % in accordance with 2016 data used in the report. While the unemployment rate has declined to 0.8% last year from 1.1% in the previous year for those who are at the ages of 15-24.
H E Dr Saleh bin Mohamed Salim Al Nabit, Minister of Development Planning and Statistics, praised the distinct position that Qatar has occupied in the HDI 2016 saying it reflected the human development that country was undergoing.
He emphasised the role of all ministries and private sector which they played in this regard. Internet users (percent of population) have increased comparing to the previous year to 92.9 % in 2016 making Qatar compete with countries like Netherlands (93.1%), Finland (92.7) and United Kingdom (92.0).
Although the average of fertility rate for the period 2010-2015 remains low 2.1 child for mother, but it is also remain high comparing to counties like Norway 1.8 , Hong Kong 1.2 and Singapore 1.3.
The report reflects the progress each country has made on areas of human development, bringing together gross national income (GNI) per capita with life expectancy, and high-level education indicators, into a useful index for international comparisons.
HDRO Director, Selim Jahan said human development is not for the few, not even for the most, but for everyone at the launch of the 2016 Human Development Report.
Jahan outlined that the report of 2016 on Human Development comes up with five basic messages; over the past quarter of a century, impressive progress has taken place on many fronts of human development, yet significant human deprivations persist. The human development journey has bypassed specific groups and they face systemic barriers to overcoming deprivations. It is essential to know who, where and how of these deprivations and groups.
Mapping of deprivations is essential, but human development for everyone also requires revisiting some human development analytical issues and assessment perspectives.
