UN Human Development Report 2021-22: “Uncertain Times, Unsettled Lives: Shaping our Future in a Transforming World”

The United Nations Human Development Report (HDR) 2021/22, titled 'Uncertain Times, Unsettled Lives: Shaping our Future in a Trasforming World' highlights that in 90 percent of countries, human development is falling behind; societies around the world are moving from one crisis to the next and are at risk of increasing deprivation and injustice. There are many different causes: the Covid-19 pandemic and the related vaccines that have been developed have shown on the one hand how powerful innovation can be, and on the other hand have underlined once again the deep inequalities in the global economy. Then the Russian invasion of Ukraine, coupled with profound social and economic changes, dangerous climate change and a massive increase in polarisation, hamper any efforts to achieve the solidarity needed to address major global challenges.

After more than three decades, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has recorded a drop for two consecutive years in the calculation of the Human Development Index, which measures a nation's health, education and standard of living.

"The world is scrambling to respond to consecutive crises," said Achim Steiner, UNDP administrator. "We have seen with the cost of living and energy crises that while it is tempting to focus on quick fixes like fossil fuel subsidies, immediate relief tactics are delaying the long-term systemic changes we need to make."

The authors also warn that the global disruption of the pandemic is nothing compared to what the world would experience if biodiversity collapses and societies are faced with the challenge of growing food at scale without pollinating insects. "For the first time in human history," reads the report, "anthropogenic [man-made] existential threats loom larger than those arising from natural hazards."

"To address uncertainty, we must focus on human development and look beyond improving people's wealth or health," says UNDP's Pedro Conceição, lead author of the report. "These aspects remain important. But we must also protect the planet and give people the tools they need to feel safer, regain a sense of control over their lives and have hope for the future."

Last update

4/10/2022