Human Development Index (HDI) of Sumatera Utara in 2017 reached 70.57. The quality of health, education and fulfillment of the needs of the people of Sumatera Utara experience Improvement.

- Human development in Sumatera Utara continues to progress. In 2017, the Human Development Index (HDI) of Sumatera Utara reached 70.57. This number increased by 0.57 points or grew by 0.81 percent compared to 2016.
- Infants born in Sumatera Utara in 2017 have an expectation to live up to 68.37 years, longer than 0.04 years compared to the previous year. Children in 2017 7 years old have a hope to enjoy education for 13.10 years, 0.10 years longer than the year 2016. Meanwhile, the population aged 25 years and over on average have been educated for 9 , 25 years, 0.13 years longer than the previous year. In 2017, the people of Sumatera Utara meet the needs of life with an average per capita expenditure of 10.04 million rupiah per year, an increase of 292 thousand rupiah compared to the previous year.