What is human development index

Summary

The Human Development Index (HDI) is a United Nations metric introduced in 1990 to gauge a country's well-being beyond economic measures, focusing on life expectancy, education, and income per capita. The 2020 report highlights Norway, Ireland, and Switzerland as top performers, while Chad, the Central African Republic, and Niger lag behind. The HDI underscores the disparity in global living standards and aims to foster a world where all can thrive, emphasizing the need for collective action to improve public health, education, and living conditions, especially in the face of challenges like COVID-19.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The Human Development Index (HDI) is a summary measure used by the United Nations to evaluate the quality of life in countries, considering life expectancy, education, and income.
• 📈 HDI was introduced in 1990 to advance human well-being by focusing on people's opportunities and choices.
• 🏥 Health is measured by life expectancy at birth, one of the three dimensions of the HDI.
• 🎓 Education is measured by years of schooling for adults and expected years for children of school-entering age.
• 💰 The standard of living is assessed by gross national income (GNI) per capita.
• 📊 HDI scores range from zero to one, with higher scores indicating a better quality of life and higher development.
• 🏆 The 2020 Human Development Report lists Norway, Ireland, and Switzerland as the top-ranking countries with the highest HDI values.
• 🔍 Economic and military powers do not always correlate with high HDI rankings, as seen with certain powerful countries not appearing at the top.
• 📉 Chad, the Central African Republic, and Niger are identified as having the lowest HDI scores, indicating the lowest levels of human development.
• 🔢 Significant disparities exist between high and low HDI countries in terms of life expectancy, education, and income.
• 🌐 The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to widen the gap between high and low HDI countries due to increased inequality.
• 🤝 The purpose of measuring HDI annually is to help improve the quality of life in low-ranking countries and promote global prosperity and peace.

Q & A

What is the Human Development Index (HDI)?

The Human Development Index (HDI) is a summary measure used by the United Nations to evaluate the quality of life in countries around the world, taking into account life expectancy, education, and per capita income.

When was the HDI first introduced?

The HDI was first introduced in 1990 as part of a new approach for advancing human well-being.

What are the three dimensions measured by the HDI?

The HDI measures human well-being on three dimensions: health (life expectancy at birth), education (years of schooling for adults and expected years for children), and standard of living (gross national income per capita).

How is the HDI value calculated?

The HDI is a measurement between zero and one, with the closer value to one indicating a higher quality of life and degree of development.

What is the significance of the annual Human Development Report?

The annual Human Development Report, published by the United Nations Development Program, evaluates the quality of life of countries using the HDI and helps to identify areas for improvement.

Which countries ranked at the top according to the 2019 HDI values?

According to the 2019 HDI values, Norway ranked number one, followed by Ireland and Switzerland at number two, and Hong Kong at number three.

Why might powerful countries not rank at the top in the HDI?

Powerful countries might not rank at the top in the HDI because their high economic and military powers do not necessarily translate to a high quality of life for their citizens.

Which countries ranked the lowest in the HDI?

Chad, the Central African Republic, and Niger ranked the lowest in the HDI, indicating the lowest level of human development.

What is the difference in life expectancy between the highest and lowest ranking countries in the 2019 HDI?

The difference in life expectancy between the highest ranking country, Norway (82.4 years), and the lowest ranking country, Niger (62.4 years), is 20 years.

How does the difference in years of schooling between Norway and Niger reflect the disparity in education?

The difference in years of schooling between Norway (12.9 years) and Niger (12.1 years), although small, indicates a significant disparity in educational opportunities and resources.

What is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the HDI?

The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to widen the gap between high and low ranking countries in the HDI due to increased inequality and its effects on public health, education, and the economy.

Why is it important to measure the HDI every year?

Measuring the HDI every year is important not just to rank countries but to help raise the HDI of low-ranking countries and work towards a more equitable and prosperous world.