The World Bank reports the lowest development pace in 75 years, with life expectancy and per capita electricity supply stagnating. Additionally, years of education are at their slowest level since 1960, and for the first time in 75 years, gender equality has regressed.
Development Thresholds
Researchers defined a developmental threshold based on high-income country standards, including education years, life expectancy, poverty rates, and women’s empowerment. Norway reached this threshold in 1968, with 47 countries achieving it by 2022, while South Korea notably reached it by 2003 despite historical challenges.
Sectoral Disparities
The worst conditions are seen in women’s empowerment, with 75 countries over 100 years away, followed by per capita electricity and poverty rates. Life expectancy has the best status, with only 23 countries lagging by more than 100 years.
Development Gaps
The gap between leading and lagging nations is significant, with a 150-year difference between Finland and the least developed countries. If the latter progress at a typical pace, it would take them 150 years to reach Finland’s current level.
Consequences of Slow Development
The development slowdown has significant costs, with researchers estimating decades of progress could be lost if current trends continue until 2030. Many indicators show only 5 to 10 years of actual advancement instead of the expected 20, leading to the current generation experiencing a lost decade in global development.
This policy note is written by Mohammadreza Dadgostar in 2026.
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