This is the 20th anniversary edition of the Human Development Report, which not only examines cutting edge issues in and approaches to international development, but also uses empirical data to rigourously scrutinise different aspects of development, country by country. The report contains each years rankings by the Human Development Index. The report also draws upon renowned experts in the field to present recommendations and suggestions for future progress.

The human development report also includes statistical information on gender equality and the gender inequality index.

As Amartya Sen writes: "Twenty years after the appearance of the first Human Development Report, there is much to celebrate in what has been achieved. But we also have to be alive to ways of improving the assessment of old adversities and of recognizing—and responding to—new threats that endanger human well-being and freedom."