The United Nations' Development Programme (UNDP) has announced its 2007-2008 Human Development Report.

Economically high-ranking, but... 

According to its foreign trade volume of 250 billion dollars and its Gross Domestic Product, Turkey is the 17th-largest economy in the world. However, in terms of "human development", Turkey ranks 84th among 177 countries. 

This contradiction shows that Turkey has a long way to go, although it has jumped from 92th place to 84th in one year. 

However,  it ranks, for instance, behind its neighbour Armenia, which is struggling with poverty. Countries such as new EU member Poland (37), neighbouring Greece (24), Argentina (38) and Kazakhstan (73) are all ahead of Turkey.
The low ranking is partly due to the low rates of literacy and education in Turkey.

Ranking low in gender equality

Mahmud Ayub, the UNDP Turkey representative, says that gender inequality is one issue which pulls Turkey down. "If we looked only at gender inequality, Turkey would rank 111th. It is very important that women are empowered in Turkey."

But gradual improvement

The Human Development Index considers issues such as life expectancy, education and real income. According to the report, Turkey has shown development in all areas since 1990. For instance, average life expectancy has increased by seven years in this time, and GDP per capita has increased by more than a third.

Turkey’s life expectancy in 2005 was 71.4. The literacy rate for over-15-year olds is 87.4 percent. The Gross National Product per capita was calculated as 8,407 dollars. (NZ/AG)

* This article is based on an article in the “Radikal” newspaper on 28 November.