United Nations Development Programme
PRESS RELEASE HDR 2014 – Asia and the Pacific
Time is now to introduce universal social services and
protection in Asia and the Pacific,
says 2014 Human Development Report on
Vulnerability and Resilience
Universal basic social services, strong social protection,
and decent jobs spur human development progress
Tokyo, 24 July 2014 —Staggering rates of poverty, high inequality and frequent
natural disasters and crises threaten the progress of human development in Asia and
the Pacific. Addressing these challenges requires a host of initiatives, including
universal provision of social services and a strong system of social security benefits,
says the 2014 Human Development Report, released in Tokyo today by the United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The Report, entitled Sustaining Human Progress: Reducing Vulnerabilities and
Building Resilience, offers a fresh perspective on what makes people vulnerable,
and proposes ways to strengthen resilience.
Across Asia and the Pacific, over a billion people live just above the extreme
poverty line, on more than US$1.25 but less than US$2.50 a day. The report asserts
that those who face multiple deprivations are especially at risk of falling back into
poverty if a disaster or crisis should occur.
The Report introduces the idea of life cycle vulnerabilities, which arise from
sensitive points in life where shocks can have greater impact. It stresses the
importance of the first 1,000 days of life, and of the transitions from school to work,
and from work to retirement.
The Report urges governments to commit to the universal provision of basic social
services and social protection to build resilience, especially for the poor and other
vulnerable groups. It argues that countries in Asia and the Pacific do not have to
wait to become rich in order to provide adequate social protection or basic social
services. It shows that Nordic countries, as well as countries such as Republic of
Korea and Costa Rica, were able to provide universal basic social services when
their per capita GDP was lower than that of India or Pakistan today.
Making the case that cohesive societies work better, the Report calls for strong
#hdr2014 Asia and the Pacific Press Release- Human Development Report 2014
MEDIA CONTACTS
UNDP Headquarters
Anna Ortubia
anna.ortubia@undp.org
+1 212 906 5964
Joyce de Pina
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+1 212 906 5698
Regional Bureau for Asia
and the Pacific
Stanislav Saling
stanislav.saling@undp.org
+1 212 906 6575
For other UNDP Office,
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-report/media
social protections such as pensions and unemployment insurance for countries at all stages of
development.
The Report also highlights that a lack of decent, well paid jobs – especially for youth – is a major
challenge in Asia and the Pacific. In many countries of the region, youth unemployment is
relatively high: 23 percent in Iran, 22 percent in Indonesia, 17 percent in Sri Lanka, 16 percent in
Philippines and Samoa and 14 percent in Timor-Leste. The Report urges governments to fast-track
education reform policies and to accelerate broad-based economic growth to create decent and well
paid jobs that are essential to improving living standards.
In addition, food insecurity, violence against women, and civil conflict and disaster risks (such as
landslides and rising sea levels) linked to climate change further threaten the security of millions of
people.
“By addressing vulnerabilities, all people may share in development progress, and human
development will become increasingly equitable and sustainable,” UNDP Administrator Helen
Clark said today.
Below are additional regional highlights of the Report.
South Asia


There is no country in the very high human development group from the region.
The average HDI value for the region, at 0.588, is below the world average of 0.702.
East Asia and the Pacific
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There are six countries in the high human development group from the region, 11 in the
medium and three in the low human development group.
The average HDI value for the region is 0.703, slightly above the world average of 0.702.
Additional information on the 2014 Human Development Report is available here.
For information about the Human Development Index, http://hdr.undp.org/en/2014-report
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ABOUT THIS REPORT: The Human Development Report is an editorially independent publication of the
United Nations Development Programme. For free downloads of the 2014 Human Development Report,
plus additional reference materials on its indices and specific regional implications, please visit:
http://hdr.undp.org
Full press package available at: http://hdr.undp.org/en/2014-report/press
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UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive
and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in 177 countries
and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient
nations.
#hdr2014 Asia and the Pacific Press Release- Human Development Report 2014