Japan placed 19th out of 189 countries and regions in the 2020 human development index ranking, which takes into account per capita income, education levels and life expectancy, the U.N. Development Program said in a report released Tuesday.
Norway retained the top spot it secured in the previous year, while Ireland and Switzerland ranked second. Many of the leading spots were occupied by European countries.
The human development index is used to measure a country's development that cannot be assessed by economic growth alone. Its calculations are based on three criteria — a long and healthy life, knowledge and a decent standard of living, according to the UNDP.