Sri Lanka, June 21 -- For 30 years, the Human Development Index (HDI) showed a consistent increase in development progress and a decrease in inequality. Although the crises of 2020-2021 disrupted this trend, last year's report saw tentative signs of recovery. The 2025 HDR has quashed this optimism.

Amid the ongoing global turmoil, inequality has increased for the fourth consecutive year. The situation is especially severe for countries with the lowest HDI scores, as the most vulnerable continue to fall further behind.

According to the new report, Sri Lanka's HDI rank remains at 89, while the Gender Inequality Index has risen to 93, from 122 in 2024. The HDI measures the average achievement in three basic dimensions of human development:...