Deutsche Welle: Human development progress overshadowed by inequality
“The 2018 Human Development Index (HDI) released by the United Nations on Thursday showed that although there have been steady improvements in human development, major concerns about quality of life and education remain. … Norway, Switzerland, Australia, Ireland, and Germany top the rankings in the latest report, while Niger, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Chad, and Burundi have the lowest scores…” (Mules, 9/14).

The Guardian: Middle classes drive up life expectancy in sub-Saharan Africa
“People in sub-Saharan African can expect to live for 11 years longer than the generation that went before them, new statistics show. … The U.N.’s annual Human Development Index … found substantial global progress since 1990. But researchers warned that the progress made is vulnerable to threats including climate change, conflict, and epidemics, as well as worsening living conditions among the middle classes…” (Ratcliffe, 9/15).