PROGRESS ON HUMAN DEVELOPMENT BIRTHS PER WOMAN OF CHILD- INFANT DEATHS IN THE SECONDARY EDUCATION BEARING AGE (TOTAL FERTILITY FIRST YEAR, 1960-2040 COMPLETION RATES, RATE), 1960-2040 1960-2040 Number Deaths as a percent Percent of of births Low and of live births all adults 7 middle income 20 100 Sub- Low and High Saharan middle income income 6 1 Africa 80 5 15 Sub-Saharan 1 Low and High Africa 4 60 middle income income 10 3 High 40 income 2 5 20 Sub-Saharan 1 1 Africa 0 1960 80 2000 20 40 0 1960 80 2000 20 40 0 1960 80 2000 20 40 Source: United Nations Population Division and Pardee Center Source: IHME and Pardee Center Source: Barro-Lee and Pardee University of Denver. University of Denver. Center University of Denver. 1Sub-Saharan Africa is also included in low- and middle-income countries’ data. ASSOCIATED HUMAN DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES turn, the 昀椀scal capacity for households and Many countries will struggle to build on or governments to fund further improvements, even sustain decades of signi昀椀cant improve- especially in less developed countries. ments in education, health, and poverty re- However, sustained progress in some coun- duction. During the past 20 years, at least 1.2 tries is likely to be more di昀케cult during the billion people were lifted out of poverty—that coming two decades, particularly given the is their income surpassed $3.20 a day, which potential for slower and uneven economic is equivalent to the average poverty line in growth. Many of the next levels of human low-income countries. In addition, nearly 1.5 development, including secondary and billion reached the middle-class income level higher education and digital skills training, of at least $10 a day through a virtuous cycle networked and e昀케cient urban infrastructure, of economic growth and human develop- and improved opportunities for women and ment in every region. Basic improvements in minority groups, require overcoming social healthcare, education, and gender equality impediments, improving political stabili- generated rising per capita incomes and, in ty, and increasing government or private A MORE CONTESTED WORLD 21 Yannis H / Unsplash