The UN Human Development Index (HDI) was introduced in 1990 by Pakistani economist Mahbub ul Haq, with assistance from Amartya Sen. Since 1993, it has been a key component of the United Nations Development Programme’s annual report. The HDI evaluates a country’s average achievements in three fundamental dimensions of human development:
- Health and Longevity:
- This is assessed through life expectancy at birth, indicating the average number of years a person is expected to live.
- Education:
- This dimension is evaluated based on adult literacy rates and the combined gross enrolment ratio for primary, secondary, and tertiary education.
- Standard of Living:
- This is measured using Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita at purchasing power parity (PPP) in US Dollars, reflecting the average income and purchasing power of the population.
UN member states are ranked and listed annually according to these HDI measures. In 2010, the Human Development Report introduced the Inequality-Adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI). This index takes into account inequalities in the three fundamental dimensions of human development (income, life expectancy, and education) and adjusts the HDI accordingly.
As of the 2018 HDI rankings, India was positioned at 130 out of 189 countries. Over the period from 1990 to 2017, India’s HDI value saw a substantial increase from 0.427 to 0.640, representing a growth of nearly 50 percent. This indicates India’s noteworthy progress in lifting millions of people out of poverty. During the same period, India also experienced significant advancements in life expectancy and expected years of schooling. In 2023, India ranked 132 out of 191 countries in the UNDP’s Human Development Index. This score is close to the world average of 0.465. However, India’s rank has gone down from 132nd to 134th position when adjusted for inequality.
FAQs
Q: What is the Human Development Index (HDI)?
A: The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite statistic developed by the United Nations to assess and rank countries based on their level of human development. It takes into account factors such as life expectancy, education, and per capita income to provide a comprehensive measure of overall well-being.
Q: How is the Human Development Index calculated?
A: The HDI is calculated by combining indicators of life expectancy, education, and per capita income. Life expectancy is measured by the average number of years a person is expected to live at birth, education is measured by the average number of years of schooling received by adults aged 25 years and older, and per capita income is adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP) to account for differences in cost of living between countries.
Q: What are the benefits of using the Human Development Index?
A: The HDI offers a more holistic approach to assessing a country’s development compared to traditional economic measures like Gross Domestic Product (GDP). By incorporating factors such as health and education, it provides a more comprehensive understanding of the well-being of a population. Additionally, the HDI allows for international comparisons and tracking progress over time, making it a valuable tool for policymakers and researchers.
Q: What are the limitations of the Human Development Index?
A: While the HDI provides valuable insights into human development, it has its limitations. For instance, it does not capture inequalities within countries, such as disparities in income distribution or access to education and healthcare. Additionally, it relies on aggregated data, which may overlook variations within populations. Moreover, the HDI’s focus on specific indicators may not fully capture other aspects of development, such as political freedom or environmental sustainability.
Q: How often is the Human Development Index updated?
A: The Human Development Index is updated annually by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in its Human Development Report. This report provides the latest data on HDI rankings and trends, allowing policymakers, researchers, and the public to monitor changes in human development indicators over time.
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