How does the Human Development Index measure development differently?

The Human Development Index (HDI) measures development by considering health, education, and income, not just economic growth.

The Human Development Index, developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), offers a broader perspective on the development of a country than traditional economic indicators. It recognises that development is not just about economic growth, but also about improving people's lives. Therefore, it measures development in three key areas: health, education, and income.

Health is measured by life expectancy at birth, which reflects the ability of a country's healthcare system to provide its citizens with a long and healthy life. Education is measured by the mean years of schooling for adults and the expected years of schooling for children. This reflects the quality and accessibility of a country's education system. Income is measured by Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, which reflects the standard of living in a country.

The HDI is calculated by geometrically averaging these three normalised indices. The closer the HDI is to 1, the more developed the country is considered to be. This approach recognises that all three dimensions are important and that neglecting any one of them can lead to an incomplete view of development.

The HDI is a useful tool for comparing development levels between countries and for tracking progress over time. However, it is not without its limitations. For example, it does not take into account inequality within countries, nor does it consider environmental sustainability. To address these limitations, the UNDP has developed other indices, such as the Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI) and the Gender Development Index (GDI).

In conclusion, the HDI measures development differently by considering health, education, and income, rather than just economic growth. This reflects a more holistic understanding of development, which recognises that improving people's lives involves more than just increasing their income.