Overview of Developed Countries: A developed country is a sovereign state characterized by high living standards, a robust economy, and advanced technological infrastructure compared to less industrialized nations. Key metrics for determining economic development include Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Gross National Product (GNP), income per capita, level of industrialization, infrastructure availability, and overall quality of life.
Developed countries typically showcase advanced post-industrial economies, where the service sector outpaces the industrial sector in wealth generation. In contrast, developing countries are in various stages of industrialization, often focusing on agriculture and basic industries, with some labeled as least developed. Here is the updated list of developed countries based on the Human Development Index (HDI).
Developed Countries List in 2025
As per the latest HDI ratings, Norway ranks highest with an HDI score of 0.957, closely followed by Ireland at 0.955. Below is the top 20 list of developed countries as evaluated in 2025:
| Rank | Country Name | Human Development Index (HDI) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norway | 0.957 |
| 2 | Ireland | 0.955 |
| 3 | Switzerland | 0.955 |
| 4 | Hong Kong | 0.949 |
| 5 | Iceland | 0.949 |
| 6 | Germany | 0.947 |
| 7 | Sweden | 0.945 |
| 8 | Australia | 0.944 |
| 9 | Netherlands | 0.944 |
| 10 | Denmark | 0.940 |
| 11 | Finland | 0.938 |
| 12 | Singapore | 0.938 |
| 13 | United Kingdom | 0.932 |
| 14 | Belgium | 0.931 |
| 15 | New Zealand | 0.931 |
| 16 | Canada | 0.929 |
| 17 | United States | 0.926 |
| 18 | Austria | 0.922 |
| 19 | Israel | 0.919 |
| 20 | Japan | 0.919 |
List of Developing Countries
Developing countries are characterized by lower Human Development Index (HDI) and less socio-economic development compared to developed nations. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), there are over 152 developing countries globally. The following table highlights the top 20 developing countries based on their HDI:
| Rank | Country Name | Human Development Index (HDI) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 0.645 |
| 2 | Honduras | 0.634 |
| 3 | Bangladesh | 0.632 |
| 4 | Kiribati | 0.630 |
| 5 | Sao Tome and Principe | 0.625 |
| 6 | Micronesia | 0.620 |
| 7 | Laos | 0.613 |
| 8 | Ghana | 0.611 |
| 9 | Eswatini | 0.611 |
| 10 | Vanuatu | 0.609 |
| 11 | Nepal | 0.602 |
| 12 | Kenya | 0.601 |
| 13 | Cambodia | 0.594 |
| 14 | Equatorial Guinea | 0.592 |
| 15 | Zambia | 0.584 |
| 16 | Myanmar | 0.583 |
| 17 | Angola | 0.581 |
| 18 | Republic of Congo | 0.574 |
| 19 | Zimbabwe | 0.571 |
| 20 | Syria | 0.567 |
Least Developed Countries List
Least developed countries are those with low Human Development Index ratings, minimal socio-economic development, and reduced GDP (Gross Domestic Product), GNP (Gross National Product), and GNI (Gross National Income). The United Nations recognizes 46 countries as least developed, with 33 from Africa, 9 from Asia, 3 from Oceania, and 1 from the Americas.
- Afghanistan
- Angola
- Bangladesh
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Comoros
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Djibouti
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Gambia
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Haiti
- Kiribati
- Lao People’s Democratic Republic
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Nepal
- Niger
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Solomon Islands
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Timor-Leste
- Togo
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- United Republic of Tanzania
- Yemen
- Zambia
Download List of Developed and Developing Countries in PDF
You can download the latest PDF of the Developed and Developing Countries list using the link below:
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Read More: Explore our article on the European Countries List for additional insights.