The 2010 Report continues the tradition of pushing the frontiers of development thinking. For the first time since 1990;; the Report looks back rigorously at the past several decades and identifies often surprising trends and patterns with important lessons for the future. These varied pathways to human development show that there is no single formula for sustainable progress—and that impressive long-term gains can and have been achieved even without consistent economic growth. Looking beyond 2010;; this Report surveys critical aspects of human development;; from political freedoms and empowerment to sustainability and human security;; and outlines a broader agenda for research and policies to respond to these challenges.

Migration;; both within and beyond borders;; has become an increasingly prominent theme in domestic and international debates;; and is the topic of the 2009 Human Development Report (HDR09). The starting point is that the global distribution of capabilities is extraordinarily unequal;; and that this is a major driver for movement of people. Migration can expand their choices —in terms of incomes;; accessing services and participation;; for example— but the opportunities open to people vary from those who are best endowed to those with limited skills and assets. These underlying inequalities;; which can be compounded by policy distortions;; is a theme of the report. The report investigates migration in the context of demographic changes and trends in both growth and inequality. It also presents more detailed and nuanced individual;; family and village experiences;; and explores less visible movements typically pursued by disadvantaged groups such as short term and seasonal migration.

his 2005 Human Development Report takes stock of human development;; including progress towards the MDGs. Looking beyond statistics;; it highlights the human costs of missed targets and broken promises. Extreme inequality between countries and within countries is identified as one of the main barriers to human development—and as a powerful brake on accelerated progress towards the MDGs. The report suggests that the world's governments are faced with a choice. They can start a decade for development with the financial resources;; technology and capacity to end poverty or we could have a human development failure. “Business as usual” will not allow fulfilling the promises and the commitments made in 2000. The cost of this failure will be measured in human lives;; increased inequalities;; violations of human rights and threats to peace.

Throughout history water has confronted humanity with some of its greatest challenges. Water is a source of life and a natural resource that sustains our environments and supports livelihoods – but it is also a source of risk and vulnerability. In the early 21st Century;; prospects for human development are threatened by a deepening global water crisis. Debunking the myth that the crisis is the result of scarcity;; this report argues poverty;; power and inequality are at the heart of the problem.The 2006 Human Development Report continues to frame debates on some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity.