Kazakhstan becomes Central Asia and CIS leader in Human Development Index

Kazakhstan has achieved the highest Human Development Index (HDI) ranking among countries in Central Asia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), placing 60th globally and joining the group of nations with a very high level of human development, as reported by Kazinform, a TV BRICS partner.

The latest HDI assessment gave Kazakhstan a score of 0.837, reflecting continued progress in three key areas measured by the index: health, education and living standards. The ranking covers 193 countries and territories and is widely recognised as one of the most comprehensive indicators of social development.

The Human Development Index, developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), evaluates countries based on life expectancy, access to knowledge and income levels adjusted for purchasing power. The approach provides a broader picture of national development by measuring both economic opportunities and the ability of people to improve their quality of life.

Kazakhstan's result places it in the highest HDI category, which includes countries with scores above 0.800.

The country's gross national income per capita, calculated using purchasing power parity, exceeded US$30,900, contributing to its strong position in the global ranking.

Education remains one of the key foundations of Kazakhstan's human development achievements. Expanding access to learning opportunities and strengthening academic capacity have supported the country's growing role as an educational centre in the region.

The latest ranking highlights Kazakhstan's focus on developing human capital through improvements in education, healthcare, skills development and economic opportunities.

The country's performance in the global HDI ranking demonstrates the growing importance of education, health and inclusive growth as key factors shaping national progress and competitiveness in the modern economy.