Why is there a time lag between the reference date of most data and the release date of the Report?
To provide a sound statistical basis for global assessment of human development across countries, we strive to present the most-up-to-date data available at the time when the Report is prepared. Due to the time required for international agencies to collect, compile and publish the relevant international data series, it is inevitable that a time lag exists. With the generous help of many data agencies, this time lag has been narrowed from three years to two for many of the indicators in this Report since 1999.
