Giving Compass' Take:

• Social Progress Imperative's Social Progress Index illuminates life in 146 countries around the world, highlighting success and room for improvement. 

• How can funders use this information to direct their giving? What factors prevent progress around the world? 

• Check out the United States Social Progress Index. 

On Sept. 20, Social Progress Imperative CEO Michael Green sent an email announcing the release of the 2018 Social Progress Index including the following highlights:

  • In general, the world is improving. Since 2014, the world average score increased from 61.80 to 63.46, and there has been improvement on nine of 12 social progress components.
  • Despite this overall progress, Personal Rights and Inclusion, have gone backwards since 2014, while the world has stagnated on Personal Safety.
  • Norway ranks first in the world on social progress with a score of 90.26. Norway has improved by 1.50 points since 2014, more than any of its Nordic neighbors.
  • 133 of 146 ranked countries improved on social progress since 2014, with several countries, including The Gambia, Nepal, and Ethiopia, demonstrating significant improvement.
  • There are important outliers that are going backwards. Most notably, the United States has regressed, declining both in absolute terms and relative to its wealthy, world-power peers, ranking 25th in social progress.

Visit Social Progress Imperative to interact with the index.