Which are the most advanced countries in South America?
Although when we think about the development and advancement, we are still quite programmed to think about some of the most famous countries in Europe or some of the states within the United States, while the rest of the world remains excluded, though there isn’t a proper justification for that. While I was searching more about the countries in South America, I focused on the rest of the world as well, and I was really amazed that some of the countries within the “undeveloped” or “underdeveloped” part of the world are actually very advanced and progressive. Even some African countries have a great performance in technology, and if you want to know more about that, make sure to read our article on 11 Most Technologically Advanced Countries in Africa.
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For this purpose, I decided to make the classification according to the Human Development Index (HDI), since the initial idea behind creating one in the first place was to prove that people and their development should actually be the most important and the most relevant criteria for measuring the development of different countries, not just their economy or other similar issues. In this manner, the HDI focuses on the three most important issues, and they are long and healthy life, education and standard of living. When these numbers are high, it can be expected that the economy of the countries and other important notions are also on the satisfactory level. By measuring these things, it is quite easy to get to know better about various countries and to conclude whether they are developed or not.
In order to get the latest information, I studied the Human Development Report which was released in 2016, but provides the information from 2015, with the focus on the countries in South America. Besides providing the HDI for each of the countries, I also provided the average life expectancy, gross national income (GNI) per capita and the years of education. Additionally, I provided the international rank of course, since it is quite important to get the general picture, too. Some of the countries may surprise you, while for some of them you probably expected to be on the list. So, get ready to know more about the 7 most advanced countries in South America.
7. Ecuador
With 0,739 HDI, Ecuador is on the 89th place internationally, but on a very proud 7th place regarding the countries in South America. The life expectancy in this country is 76,1, while the average years of schooling are 8,3. Additionally, the GNI is $10,536.
6. Peru
Being on the list of the countries in South America that have a high HDI, this number for Peru is 0,740, and regarding the international rank, it is 87th on the list. The average years of schooling in this country are 9, while the life expectancy in Peru is 74,8. The gross national income per capita is $11,295.
5. Brazil
Brazil is on the 79th place internationally, and its HDI is 0,754, which brings it to the 5th place in South America. The life expectancy in Brazil is somewhat similar to Peru, being 74,7, and it has a little bit worse performance regarding the years of schooling – 7,8. However, it’s GMI is so far the best, being $14,145, and this country is definitely one of the most advanced countries in South America.
4. Venezuela
HDI in Venezuela is 0,767, and this country is ranked on the 71st place on the international level. Additionally, the life expectancy in Venezuela is 74,4 and the average years of schooling are 9,4. Generally speaking, these numbers are quite enough to conclude the great position of Venezuela within South America, adding the fact that the GMI per capita is $15,129.
3. Uruguay
Still on the list of the most advanced countries in South America, in the case of Uruguay, that number is 0,795, putting it in the 54th place internationally. The life expectancy in this country is 77,4, while the average years of schooling are 8,6. The gross national income per capita is $19,148.
2. Argentina
With Argentina, we move towards those countries with very high human development index, which is 0.827 in this case, giving it the 45th place on the international level. Argentina has the life expectancy of 76,5 and the average years of schooling 9,9. The GMI per capita is $20,945.
1. Chile
Chile proudly holds the first place among the countries with very high human development index regarding South Africa, and HDI, in this case, is 0,847. Chile also has a very good international rank, and it is on the 38th place in the world. Incredible are also the other numbers, such as the life expectancy, which is 82, while the average years of schooling are 9,9. The gross national income per capita is $21,665, and overall, this country deserves the first place of the most advanced countries in South America.
