For the eighth consecutive year, Montenegro has upheld its status as a nation with an exceptionally high level of human development, as highlighted in the latest report from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The UNDP Office in Montenegro announced that with a Human Development Index (HDI) value of 0.862, the country ranks 48th among 193 countries and territories.

The HDI serves as an indicator for tracking long-term advancements in three core facets of human development: longevity and health, educational access, and living standards.

“Iceland tops the list, followed by Norway, Switzerland, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Australia, Hong Kong (China), the Netherlands, and Belgium in the top ten,” the statement indicated.

The lowest HDI values were reported in the Central African Republic, Somalia, and South Sudan.

“Within the region, in the category of nations with very high human development, Slovenia (21st), Croatia (41st), Serbia (62nd), North Macedonia (68th), Albania (71st), and Bosnia and Herzegovina (74th) join Montenegro,” the UNDP noted.

From 2003 to 2023, Montenegro’s HDI value rose from 0.764 to 0.862, marking an increase of 12.8 percent.

The latest Human Development Report reveals that life expectancy in Montenegro has increased by 2.9 years, now averaging 77 years.

“In the observed timeframe, children’s expected years of schooling have grown by three years, reaching 15.5 years. Additionally, the average years of education for adults (25+) increased by 2.3 years, now sitting at 12.8 years,” the statement elaborated.

Gross national income per capita has surged by approximately 74 percent during this period.

“The inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI) considers disparities across all three HDI domains. The ‘loss’ in human development attributed to inequality, depicted by the gap between the HDI and IHDI, stands at 10.6 percent for Montenegro,” the UNDP explained.

Gender equality is highlighted as a crucial indicator of societal progress, with gender disparities representing some of the most entrenched forms of inequality.

The ratio of human development progress between genders is assessed via two critical metrics: the Gender Development Index (GDI) and the Gender Inequality Index (GII).

The female HDI value for Montenegro in 2023 is 0.855, compared to 0.868 for males, resulting in a GDI value of 0.984.

Regarding the GII, which evaluates gender disparities in reproductive health, political and economic empowerment, Montenegro ranks 40th out of 172 countries.

The UNDP shared that this year’s Human Development Report (HDR), titled “A Question of Choice: People and Opportunities in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” was launched today in Brussels at a hybrid event organized alongside the European Commission and Belgium.

“This year’s HDR warns about a concerning new trend: a slowdown in global human development progress, now at a notably fragile juncture,” the statement asserted.

It indicates that without decisive measures, the world could be teetering on the edge of a developmental crisis.

The UNDP observed steady growth in the Human Development Index over the last three decades, alongside a reduction in global inequality.

While last year’s report indicated initial signs of recovery post-pandemic, this year’s findings transparently show that this recovery is faltering.

“Discounting the crisis years of 2020-2021, the projected HDI growth this year represents the smallest recorded increase since the index was first established in 1990,” said the statement.

UNDP Administrator Akim Štajner remarked that while significant progress has been made towards the goal of achieving a very high level of human development globally by 2030, the identified slowdown presents a genuine threat to such advancements.

“Should the current pace become the new reality, the 2030 goal may remain unattainable for decades, resulting in a world that is less secure, increasingly divided, and more susceptible to economic and environmental shocks,” remarked Steiner.

The statement emphasizes that amidst global challenges, inequality has been escalating for the fourth straight year.

The UNDP indicated that nations with the lowest HDI values are particularly vulnerable, as marginalized groups continue to lag further behind.

“This regression is attributed to diminished development prospects through traditional growth strategies, such as industrialization and exports, which previously fueled job creation and poverty alleviation,” the statement noted.

UNDP Resident Representative in Montenegro, Ekaterina Paniklova, highlighted Montenegro’s ongoing ascent in the HDI rankings. She noted the country’s steady progress towards green development and European Union membership, achieved through a just transition and digital transformation.

Moreover, she pointed out that nearly two-thirds of the global sustainable development goals are being realized in this process.

Paniklova stated that in the face of global challenges, artificial intelligence (AI) presents a transformative opportunity.

“With ongoing enhancements in digital public services and responsible governance, AI can foster a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for Montenegro’s citizens,” she added.

The report acknowledges AI’s potential in tackling modern development challenges, particularly in lower-income nations.

While AI cannot serve as a universal remedy, proactive policy-making today can pave the way for new growth opportunities and inclusivity.

Survey results convey global optimism, with 60 percent of respondents believing that AI will positively influence their jobs, while merely 13 percent express concerns about job losses.

“In nations with low and medium HDI, 70 percent anticipate productivity improvements from AI, and two-thirds plan to utilize it in education, healthcare, or business within the coming year,” the statement noted.

UNDP advocates for a human-centered approach to artificial intelligence, focusing on three main priorities: fostering collaboration between humans and AI, ensuring oversight of AI systems, and modernizing education and health sectors to meet 21st-century demands.

“To prevent exclusion from new opportunities, it is essential to bridge the gap in access to electricity and the internet—especially in countries with lower HDI,” added the statement.

Access to AI alone is insufficient. The true transformational impact of artificial intelligence will largely depend on how it advances and empowers human-oriented development.

News