Report author Richard Jolly: Poverty gap is widening

It says a child born in the United States, Britain or France will consume, waste and pollute more in its lifetime than 50 children in a developing country.

The report, published on Wednesday by the UN Development Programme, reveals that despite a dramatic increase in consumption of goods and services globally, over one billion people lack the means to meet their most basic needs.

According to the report, 20% of the world's population consumes 86% of all goods and services.

The richest 20% of people consume half the world's meat

It also says the richest 20% of people consume nearly half of the world's meat and fish.

The Human Development Report ranks countries according to their level of social advancement, gauged by means other than purely economic indicators. It takes into account factors such as life expectancy, literacy and the social position of women.

Canada top

In terms of health, the level of education and standard of living, Canada tops the world's countries for the fifth year running. France is second, followed by Norway and the United States.

Canada was judged to have the highest standard of living

The highest developing country is Barbados in 24th position - a ranking that is 13 places higher than would be expected by reference to its level of income per head alone. Sierra Leone remains at the bottom of the 174 countries, with a life expectancy of only 35 - easily the lowest of those recorded

The United Nations Development Programme concludes that armed conflicts and Aids have stifled progress along with economic decline.

It says between 70 and 80 countries have lower incomes per head than 10 or 30 years ago. People in Africa consume 20% less than they did 25 years ago.

Armed conflict has halted social progress

The last 15 countries on the scale are all to be found in Africa. Kenya, Pakistan and India are grouped almost together well down the list, just a little ahead of Nigeria. Among countries not included in the ranking are Afghanistan, Somalia and Rwanda - a reflection of their internal dislocation.

East pulls Germany down

Among the former communist countries, Slovenia is the highest, followed two places behind by the Czech Republic which is in 39th position. It is followed closely by Slovakia and Hungary with Poland at number 52. Germany's ranking is relatively low - 19th - because of the influence of the former East Germany and its heritage of low incomes and health standards.

Russia is in 72nd position, only two places lower than Saudia Arabia - but later developments may have changed that.

Middle Eastern and North African countries, apart from Israel, generally fare badly by the criteria used. Kuwait's position is, for example 24 places lower than its ranking in terms of income per head. This is partly because of the importance the UN attaches to the position of women in society.

Over one billion people cannot provide for their basic needs

Latin American countries and the Caribbean islands are spread over a wide range in the middle rank of the list. Barbados, Chile and Costa Rica all rank in the top 35. Argentina follows immediately after. Haiti is the lowest ranking country outside of Africa, Bolivia the lowest in South America, and Nicaragua and Honduras come bottom in Central America.

Hong Kong leads SE Asia

The data relating to south-east and east Asia do not reflect recent economic developments in that region. Hong Kong is ranked highest in the region, but well behind the level that would be indicated by its high income. Singapore ranks a little behind Hong Kong, thanks to its relatively low literacy rate.

Brunei is lower still, while Thailand and Malaysia rank 59th and 60th respectively: women have a better position in Thailand than Malaysia.

China is well down down the list at number 106, even behind North Korea, but that country's position does not take account of the famines of recent years.