Trends in the index since 1980 showed an
average improvement of 15 percent in countries' scores. The greatest
long-term improvements have been shown by China, Iran and Nepal, but
progress has been concentrated in education and health rather than
income, said the U.N agency.

Afghanistan
is new to the list this year — reliable statistics were not previously
available — but otherwise leaders and laggards are largely the same.

However,
five countries rose three or more places — China, Colombia, France,
Peru and Venezuela — while seven countries dropped more than two places
— Belize, Ecuador, Jamaica, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Malta, and Tonga.

The index was released as part of the UNDP's annual Human Development Report, which this year highlighted migration.

"Most
migrants, internal and international, reap gains in the form of higher
incomes, better access to education and health and improved prospects
for their children," said the report. "These gains often directly
benefit family members who stay behind as well as countries of origin
indirectly."

It
also suggested that as the populations age in developed countries, they
could benefit from increased migration to boost their work forces.

But it cautioned that encouraging migration should not substitute for "efforts by developing countries to achieve growth and improve human well-being."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33178495/ns/world_news/?GT1=43001

Without a doubt , the best news ive heard in a long long time.

Besides Nepal, China and few other countries the United States also improved from 15th position last year to 13th position this year.

Countries on the top 5 positions are pretty much the same for the last 15 years or so. Norway, Austrialia, Ireland, Canada, Iceland etc juggling for the top spot for a decade.

Nepal Surprising??? I think Nepal is alive only due to people who are migrating to Middle East and other Asian countries, risking their lives and sending money to their family back home...  Else goverment and Employees of Nepal are only active in CORRUPTION..... nepal is dead last the report is Bogus.... Army should take over the Government and rammm the asses of ALL the CHOR Employees and Chor Ministers... they should take over the houses of all the CHOR Employees who are in Long-Term leave in Nepal, but are here in USA enjoying the money they LOOTED from poor NEPAL...