Canada falls from top 10

OTTAWA—Canada has slipped out of the top 10 countries listed in the annual United Nation’s human development index—a far cry from the 1990s when it held the first place for most of the decade.
The 2013 report, which reviews a country’s performance in health, education, and income, placed Canada in 11th place versus 10th last year.

A closer look at the trends shows Canada actually did better than last year, but other countries such as Japan and Australia improved at a greater rate.
When the numbers are adjusted for gender inequality, Canada slumps to 18th place.
The United States fares even worse—sinking from third to 42nd place.
But the main finding of the report, entitled “The Rise of the South,” is a positive one on a global scale.
It said countries that previously had struggled with poverty and inequality now are on a steady developmental climb.
For instance, Brazil, China, and India’s combined gross domestic product now is about equal to the combined GDP of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.