Brazil has made it onto the prestigious list of countries that rank high in the Human Development Index (HDI) published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Based on economic, health and educational indicators, the HDI measures the quality of life of a country's population.
Partly thanks to life expectancy figures (from 71.5 years in 2004 to 71.7 in 2005), Brazil's HDI has risen from 0.798 to 0.800. Research results blending 2005 statistical data were released Tuesday, November 27.
In 2004-2005, the country also had an increase in per capita income (calculated by dividing the GDP - total amount of wealth produced by a country - by overall population), the amount rising from $8,325 to $8,402.
On the HDI list, Brazil ranks 70th out of 177 countries. Iceland (0.968) tops the list, followed by Norway, Australia, Canada and Ireland.
UNDP Representative Kevin Watkins complimented Brazil.
"In the past few years, Brazil has shown we must not tolerate the outrageous inequalities that affect so many countries and lower globalization standards", said Watkins during the study launch event, held in Brazil for the first time (Planalto Palace, BrasÃlia) in recognition of the country's good performance.
According to IPEA (Institute of Applied Economic Research) - associated with the Presidency of the Republic Strategic Affairs Center - economist Sergei Soares, Brazil tends to boast improved performance in the coming years.
"Family income has grown in the past three years. For the first time in nearly 30 years, there are indications that we are starting to experience sustainable growth", Soares said in an interview with "O Globo" newspaper.
Partly thanks to life expectancy figures (from 71.5 years in 2004 to 71.7 in 2005), Brazil's HDI has risen from 0.798 to 0.800. Research results blending 2005 statistical data were released Tuesday, November 27.
In 2004-2005, the country also had an increase in per capita income (calculated by dividing the GDP - total amount of wealth produced by a country - by overall population), the amount rising from $8,325 to $8,402.
On the HDI list, Brazil ranks 70th out of 177 countries. Iceland (0.968) tops the list, followed by Norway, Australia, Canada and Ireland.
UNDP Representative Kevin Watkins complimented Brazil.
"In the past few years, Brazil has shown we must not tolerate the outrageous inequalities that affect so many countries and lower globalization standards", said Watkins during the study launch event, held in Brazil for the first time (Planalto Palace, BrasÃlia) in recognition of the country's good performance.
According to IPEA (Institute of Applied Economic Research) - associated with the Presidency of the Republic Strategic Affairs Center - economist Sergei Soares, Brazil tends to boast improved performance in the coming years.
"Family income has grown in the past three years. For the first time in nearly 30 years, there are indications that we are starting to experience sustainable growth", Soares said in an interview with "O Globo" newspaper.
