Human Development: Côte d’Ivoire and Six International Institutions Align HDI Calculation Methodologies

Côte d’Ivoire and six international institutions are working to harmonize the methodologies used to calculate the Human Development Index (HDI) and to prepare the country’s 2026 National Human Development Report.

Minister of Planning and Development Dr. Souleymane Diarrassouba chaired the opening ceremony of the international workshop on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, in Abidjan-Plateau. The event was attended by Blerta Cela, UNDP Resident Representative, and Oumar Diallo, UNESCO Resident Representative and Head of Office in Côte d’Ivoire.

The workshop brings together experts from the Human Development Report Office, the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the World Bank and the United Nations Population Division, alongside national administrations, universities, research centers, private-sector stakeholders and civil society representatives.

The initiative aims to align national HDI calculation methods with those used by international institutions and establish a common roadmap. The discussions will also contribute to the preparation of the 2026 National Human Development Report, whose findings are expected to support the assessment of the implementation of Côte d’Ivoire’s 2026–2030 National Development Plan (PND).

“The true wealth of a nation lies first and foremost in its human capital. Health, education and living standards are the pillars on which sustainable development rests,” Dr. Souleymane Diarrassouba said.

Côte d’Ivoire’s HDI rose from 0.465 in 2010 to 0.582 in 2023, an increase of more than 25%. Between 2022 and 2023, the country recorded the highest HDI improvement in sub-Saharan Africa and the fourth-highest globally, according to the figures presented at the workshop. Côte d’Ivoire ranks first within the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) and third within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The country’s life expectancy at birth stands at 61.9 years, while expected years of schooling reach 11.4 years. Gross national income per capita is estimated at $6,735.4 in purchasing power parity terms.

The workshop is part of broader efforts to strengthen Côte d’Ivoire’s National Statistical System, following a decree adopted on August 5, 2026, concerning the validation, dissemination and archiving of official statistics.

Reliable and comparable data are expected to provide a clearer picture of the country’s development progress, while helping identify persistent vulnerabilities and inform public policies under the 2026–2030 National Development Plan.