UNDP-创造我们的未来：亚太地区人类发展的新方向（英）-2023.11-144页_2mb

2024 Asia-Pacific Human Development Report Summary

Core Content

The 2024 Asia-Pacific Human Development Report, titled Making Our Future: New Directions for Human Development in Asia and the Pacific, highlights the region's achievements in human development while emphasizing the urgent need for transformative action in the face of growing risks and disparities.

The report underscores that although the Asia-Pacific region has historically been a strong performer in human development, it is now confronting a complex mix of challenges that threaten progress. These include climate change, pandemics, geopolitical tensions, economic disruptions, rising inequality, gender inequality, informal employment, and democratic backsliding. These risks are compounded by the region's divergent development trajectories and the need for more inclusive and sustainable strategies.

Main Contributions

The report makes three key contributions to the discourse on human development in the Asia-Pacific:

1. Mainstreaming human development
   The report calls for integrating the human development approach into national decision-making processes. It argues that people, both current and future generations, must be at the center of all development strategies. This involves expanding individual, institutional, and societal capabilities, addressing persistent exclusion and indignity, and enhancing people's agency.

2. Recalibrating growth strategies
   The region must rethink traditional growth models, particularly the export-led growth and domestic growth engines, to align with the needs of human development. It highlights the importance of diversifying growth drivers, including the green, blue, and care economies, and leverage technology to drive development. The report also emphasizes the need for responsible public finance management and investment in sustainable sectors.

3. Making change happen
   The report advocates for bold and proactive governance that is anticipatory, adaptable, and agile. It stresses the importance of political will, collaborative leadership, and civic engagement in fostering change. Additionally, it calls for scaling up transformative policies, such as universal internet access, entrepreneurial skill development, and financial incentives aligned with human capabilities.

Key Findings and Data

• Human Development Index (HDI):
  The HDI has increased by 19 percentage points over the last three decades, the highest global increase. However, progress is uneven, with persistent disparities both between and within countries.

• Poverty:
  Despite progress, 185 million people still live in absolute poverty, earning less than $2.15 per day, and 1 billion live in relative poverty, earning less than half the median income. The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) shows that 500 million people in the region are multidimensionally poor, with 415 million lifted out of poverty in India since 2005.

• Gender Inequality:
  Women have made progress in education and financial access, but systemic biases and structural barriers still hinder their empowerment. In Afghanistan, there has been a serious setback in gender equality. 800 million women are out of the workforce in the region, with labor participation rates varying from 14% in Iran to 69% in Vietnam.

• Informal Employment:
  The region has two-thirds of the world's informal sector workers, with 1.3 billion people in the informal economy. South Asia has the highest proportion of informal workers at 87%, while Tonga leads in informal employment at 97%.

• Digital Divide:
  40% of the population in the region is digitally excluded, with significant gender and urban-rural disparities.

• Climate and Environmental Pressures:
  The region faces a planetary-pressures divide, with Bhutan being a net positive emitter and others like China, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand experiencing high levels of fossil fuel dependence and emissions. Climate resilience and sustainable development are emphasized as critical for future success.

• Economic and Trade Trends:
  The export-led growth model has been a key driver of development, but it is now facing new challenges. The report highlights the need for rethinking trade and globalization strategies, and emphasizing green and digital growth.

Strategic Shifts

The report outlines three strategic shifts to guide future development:

• Unpacking 'people first':
  Prioritizing people in development strategies and ensuring that policies are people-centered and inclusive.

• Sustaining smart growth:
  Aligning growth with human development goals, including rethinking traditional growth models and exploring new growth drivers.

• Boldly driving change:
  Fostering political will, collaborative leadership, and civic engagement to ensure that change is not only envisioned but implemented.

Conclusion

The 2024 Asia-Pacific Human Development Report serves as a call to action for policymakers and stakeholders to reimagine and renew the path of human development. It emphasizes the need for proactive and integrated strategies that address current gaps and prepare for the uncertain future. The report highlights that no single solution will suffice, and coordinated, forward-looking actions are essential to reignite momentum and ensure sustainable progress for all.

Key Recommendations

• Mainstream human development into national policies.
• Recalibrate growth strategies to be more inclusive and sustainable.
• Strengthen governance with anticipation, adaptability, and agility.
• Promote gender equality and women's economic empowerment.
• Invest in digital infrastructure and climate-resilient development.
• Enhance social protection, healthcare, and education systems.
• Address informal employment and digital exclusion.
• Foster collaboration and civic engagement to drive change.

Summary of Figures and Boxes

• Figure 1.1: Asia-Pacific accounts for over one-third of global output and is expected to contribute two-thirds of global growth.
• Figure 1.2: HDI has increased by 19 percentage points from 1990 to 2021.
• Box 1.1: Income and wealth inequality remains high, especially in South and Southeast Asia.
• Box 1.2: Vulnerability and conflict are significant in Myanmar.
• Box 1.3: Afghanistan has experienced a gender equality crisis.
• Box 3.1: Higher incomes do not automatically reduce gender disparities.
• Box 3.2: Women's economic empowerment is a key area for progress in Nepal.
• Box 3.3: Thailand has made progress in universal health coverage.
• Box 3.4: Health inequalities persist across the region.
• Box 3.5: Informal employment is linked to lower productivity.
• Box 3.6: Upskilling can significantly boost GDP potential.
• Box 3.7: Social protection coverage and expenditure remain insufficient.
• Box 4.1: GDP per capita and basic well-being are closely linked.
• Box 4.2: Timor-Leste has untapped potential in the blue economy.
• Box 5.1: Governance is crucial for sustainable development.
• Box 5.2: Government effectiveness is strongly correlated with innovation.
• Box 5.3: Anticipation, agility, and adaptability are essential for resilient governance.

Final Thoughts

The report concludes that human development in Asia and the Pacific is at a crossroads, and that bold, integrated, and forward-looking strategies are necessary to navigate the turbulence ahead. It calls for scaling up transformative policies, mainstreaming human development, and rethinking growth models to ensure a more secure, peaceful, and sustainable future.