It is the time of the year to measure countries progress on many things such as their Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Human Development Progress (HDP), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) etc. Here, we would take a look at the Social Progress Index (SPI) which measures 170 countries progress based on three dimensions of Basic Needs, Foundations of Wellbeing, and Opportunity. These dimensions cover indicators such as health, safety, education, housing, safety, environmental quality, technology, rights and more.
Let me tell you straight away, the world is facing a social progress regression. Yes, countries social progress declined. According to the 2024 Social Progress Index research, 61 out of 170 countries saw a significant decline in their social progress in 2023, and 77 more stagnated. Only 32 countries, out of 170, saw any real progress.
How is the Social Progress Declining?
To show this, we would take a look at a country as an example. The obvious country is Nigeria, the largest country in Africa based on its population. The table below shows Nigeria’s total social progress score over the course of three years.
| Year | SPI | Change (% points) |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 38.71 | 0 |
| 2017 | 44.33 | +5.62 |
| 2023 | 46.97 | +2.64 |
As you can see, the percentage increase between 2017 and 2023 is smaller than what it was between 2011 and 2017. This shows that Nigeria’s social progress declined in 2023 even though it has been increasing since 2011. There was a 5.62 % point change between 2011 and 2017, and a 2.64 % point change between 2017 and 2023. Mathematically, this is more like a
0.47x decline in Nigeria’s social progress.
The image below further shows which indictors increased or decreased.
As you can see, social progress such as safety, rights and voice, and environmental quality decreased while the others increased.
Furthermore, the image below presents Nigeia’s Social Progress Scorecard.
In 2023, Nigeria underperformed in major areas such as Basic Needs and Foundations of Wellbeing. It however performed within the expected range in Opportunity. The positive performance in the area of opportunity is due to the increased performance in advanced education, especially with the quality weighted universities and women with advanced education.
World’s Social Progress Compelling insights
- Four out of five people in the world live in a country where social progress is stagnating or declining.
- The strong growth in Information & Communications is declining largely due to declining press freedom.
- The 27 countries that make up the European Union collectively overtakes the United States in social progress.
