The Human Development Index of US vs. Europe

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite statistic used to rank countries based on their level of human development. It takes into account factors such as life expectancy, education, and per capita income. While the United States and Europe are both highly developed regions, there are some key differences in their HDI scores and underlying factors.

The United States typically has a higher HDI score compared to most European countries. The United States usually ranked in the top 20 globally, while individual European countries varied in their rankings, with some in the top 10 and others slightly lower.

The top five countries in the global Human Development Index ranking are Norway (0.953), Switzerland (0.944), Australia (0.939), Ireland (0.938), and Germany (0.936). The bottom five are Burundi (0.417), Chad (0.404), South Sudan (0.388), the Central African Republic (0.367), and Niger (0.354). The largest increases in HDI rank between 2012 and 2017 were for Ireland, which moved up 13 places, and for Botswana, the Dominican Republic, and Turkey, which each moved up 8. The largest declines were for the Syrian Arab Republic (down 27), Libya (26), and Yemen (20).

The map below shows the Human Development Index of the U.S. compared to Europe (2017)

Top 20 US states and EU countries with the highest Human Development Index:
1. Massachusetts – 0.960
2. Connecticut – 0.957
3. Norway – 0.953
4. District of Columbia – 0.950
5. Minnesota – 0.950
6. North Dakota – 0.948
7. Colorado – 0.947
8. New Hampshire – 0.947
9. New Jersey – 0.946
10. New York – 0.946
11. Washington – 0.945
12. Switzerland – 0.944
13. Hawaii – 0.943
14. Alaska – 0.942
15. Maryland – 0.940
16. Vermont – 0.938
17. Ireland – 0.938
18. Nebraska – 0.937
19. Wyoming – 0.937
20. Germany – 0.936

Top 20 US states and EU countries with the lowest Human Development Index:
1. Moldova – 0.700
2. Ukraine – 0.751
3. Bosnia and Herzegovina – 0.768
4. Georgia – 0.780
5. Albania – 0.785
6. Serbia – 0.787
7. Turkey – 0.791
8. Belarus – 0.808
9. Romania – 0.811
10. Bulgaria – 0.813
11. Russian Federation – 0.816
12. Croatia – 0.831
13. Hungary – 0.838
14. Latvia – 0.847
15. Portugal – 0.847
16. Slovakia – 0.855
17. Andorra – 0.858
18. Lithuania – 0.858
19. Poland – 0.865
20. Mississippi – 0.866

The map below shows American states labeled as European countries with comparable Human Development Index scores.

Human Development Index U.S. States and European Countries

Life expectancy tends to be slightly higher in many European countries compared to the United States. Factors such as universal healthcare, healthier diets, and lower rates of certain lifestyle-related diseases contribute to this difference.

Education is another area where there can be differences between the United States and Europe. While both regions generally have high literacy rates and advanced educational systems, the structure and emphasis on different aspects of education can vary. For example, some European countries may prioritize vocational training and apprenticeships alongside traditional academic education, while the United States tends to focus more on a broad-based academic curriculum.

Income inequality is generally higher in the United States compared to many European countries. European nations often have more robust social welfare systems, progressive taxation, and stronger labor protections, which can help mitigate income inequality.

Healthcare systems also differ significantly between the United States and Europe. Most European countries have universal healthcare systems that provide comprehensive coverage to all citizens, while in the United States, access to healthcare is largely determined by employment and private insurance, leading to disparities in access and outcomes.

European countries tend to have more extensive social welfare programs compared to the United States, providing services such as unemployment benefits, childcare support, and elderly care. These programs contribute to higher levels of social security and stability in Europe.

Here is another map, created by Reddit user Wholesome, showing U.S. states labeled as other countries with comparable Human Development Index scores in 2018.

Curious about why some countries thrive while others struggle? These books offer insights worth noting.

• The End of the World Is Just the Beginning: Mapping the Collapse of Globalization
• Upheaval: Turning Points for Nations in Crisis
• Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed: Revised Edition