A report published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on human development for 2014 speaks of levels in human development continuing to rise but the pace has slowed for all regions.

The report stresses that risks such as financial crisis, unsteady food prices, natural disasters and violent conflicts can to a large degree hinder progress.

“More than 200 million people a year, most of whom from developing countries, are affected by natural disasters. The number of people displaced from conflicts or persecution – 45 million by the end of 2012 – is higher than in the last 18 years”, the report says.

At the same time, it notes that almost 1.5 billion people worldwide live in poverty while around 80 percent of the global population lacks comprehensive social protection.

The report calls for universal provision of social services, stronger social protection and complete employment policies to increase and ensure development progress.