This report investigates the progress and setbacks of human development across South Asia during the decade following the inaugural 1997 report. The Mahbub ul Haq Human Development Centre utilizes a decade of longitudinal data to assess whether economic growth in the region has successfully translated into improved quality of life for its citizens. The analysis focuses on the interplay between governance, social policy, and the persistent challenges of poverty and inequality that define the South Asian landscape.

Experts and development practitioners regard this report as a foundational reference for understanding the socio-economic trajectory of South Asia at the turn of the millennium. Readers frequently note the dense statistical analysis and the clear, policy-oriented framework that characterizes the Centre's approach to regional development.