The Human Development Index (HDI) was founded by Mahbub ul Haq, a Pakistani economist.
The HDI was conceptualized and created in 1990 by Mahbub ul Haq. This innovative index was developed to provide a more comprehensive measure of a country's development beyond just economic indicators like Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Understanding the Human Development Index
The Human Development Index is a composite statistical measure that assesses a country's average achievements in three basic dimensions of human development:
- A long and healthy life: Measured by life expectancy at birth.
- Knowledge: Measured by mean years of schooling and expected years of schooling.
- A decent standard of living: Measured by Gross National Income (GNI) per capita (PPP $).
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) utilizes the HDI to evaluate and compare the levels of human development across different nations globally. It serves as a crucial tool for policymakers and researchers to understand the broader well-being of a population, encouraging a focus on people-centered development rather than solely economic growth.
The creation of the HDI marked a significant shift in how national progress is evaluated, highlighting that true development encompasses more than just financial prosperity. It emphasizes the importance of human capabilities and opportunities as the ultimate criteria for assessing a nation's advancement. For more information on the HDI, you can refer to resources that define the Human Development Index.
