What is the Human Development Index (HDI)?

The Human Development Index (HDI) measures a country's average achievements in health, education, and standard of living.

The HDI is a composite statistic used to rank countries based on human development levels. It was introduced by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1990. The HDI considers three main dimensions: life expectancy at birth (health), mean years of schooling and expected years of schooling (education), and Gross National Income (GNI) per capita (standard of living). These dimensions are combined to produce a single index value ranging from 0 to 1, with higher values indicating higher levels of human development.

Life expectancy at birth reflects the overall health and longevity of a population. It is influenced by factors such as healthcare quality, nutrition, and living conditions. Education is measured by the average number of years of schooling received by people aged 25 and older, and the expected years of schooling for children entering school. This dimension highlights the importance of knowledge and skills for personal and societal development. The standard of living is assessed using GNI per capita, which adjusts for differences in cost of living and inflation rates between countries.

The HDI provides a broader understanding of development than just economic growth. It helps to identify areas where countries need to improve and allows for comparisons between nations. For example, a country with a high GNI per capita but low life expectancy and education levels might have a lower HDI than a country with balanced achievements across all three dimensions.

By using the HDI, policymakers and researchers can better analyse and address the multifaceted nature of development, aiming to improve the overall well-being and quality of life for people around the world.