What are the three core dimensions measured by the Human Development Index?

The three core dimensions measured by the Human Development Index are: 1) a long and healthy life, assessed by life expectancy at birth; 2) knowledge, measured by mean years of schooling and expected years of schooling; and 3) a decent standard of living, indicated by gross national income (GNI) per capita in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms.

Who developed the Human Development Index?

The Human Development Index was developed by Pakistani economist Mahbub ul-Haq. It was further utilized and promoted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in its Human Development Report Office.

What was the primary motivation behind the creation of the HDI?

The HDI was created to shift the focus of development economics from solely measuring national income to evaluating improvements in human well-being and people-centered policies. Mahbub ul-Haq believed a composite measure was needed to demonstrate that development should be assessed not just by economic progress, but also by advancements in human well-being.

How is the HDI calculated?

The HDI is calculated as the geometric mean of three normalized indices, each representing one of the key dimensions: the Life Expectancy Index (LEI), the Education Index (EI), and the Income Index (II). Using a geometric mean ensures that a country must perform well across all three dimensions to achieve a high HDI score, rather than compensating for poor performance in one area with high performance in another.

What is the range of the HDI score?

The HDI score ranges from 0 to 1. A higher score indicates a higher level of human development.

What does a Life Expectancy Index (LEI) of 1 signify?

A Life Expectancy Index (LEI) of 1 signifies that a country's life expectancy at birth has reached 85 years, which is the maximum value used in the calculation. Conversely, an LEI of 0 corresponds to a life expectancy of 20 years.

How is the Education Index (EI) calculated?

The Education Index (EI) is the average of two sub-indices: the Mean Years of Schooling Index (MYSI) and the Expected Years of Schooling Index (EYSI). This provides a comprehensive view of both current educational attainment and future educational potential.

What do Mean Years of Schooling (MYS) and Expected Years of Schooling (EYS) represent?

Mean Years of Schooling (MYS) represents the average number of years of education received by people aged 25 and older, while Expected Years of Schooling (EYS) is the total number of years a child is expected to attend school, assuming prevailing enrollment patterns continue. These two indicators together form the basis of the Education Index.

What is the maximum value for Expected Years of Schooling (EYS) used in the HDI calculation?

The Expected Years of Schooling (EYS) is capped at 18 years in the HDI calculation, which is considered equivalent to achieving a master's degree in most countries.

How is the Income Index (II) determined?

The Income Index (II) is calculated using the natural logarithm of Gross National Income (GNI) per capita in PPP international dollars. The index is capped at a GNI per capita of $75,000 and has a lower limit of $100, as values below this are considered to represent extreme deprivation.

What is the difference between the HDI and the Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI)?

The HDI measures the potential level of human development, assuming perfect equality, while the IHDI accounts for inequality within a country across the three dimensions. The IHDI reduces the HDI score to reflect the impact of inequality, meaning the IHDI is always less than or equal to the HDI.

When was the Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI) introduced?

The Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI) was introduced in the 2010 Human Development Report.

What factors does the HDI *not* take into account?

The HDI does not account for factors such as net wealth per capita or the relative quality of goods and services within a country. This limitation can sometimes lead to a lower ranking for highly developed countries that may have high quality of life but lower net wealth per capita compared to others.

What was the 'old method' for calculating the HDI used before 2010?

Before 2010, the HDI used adult literacy rate (weighted two-thirds) and the combined gross enrollment ratio (weighted one-third) for the education dimension. The standard of living was measured using the natural logarithm of gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, and the life expectancy dimension used similar thresholds as the current method but was calculated differently.

According to the 2023 data (published in 2025), which country ranked highest in Human Development?

Based on the 2023 data published in the 2025 report, Iceland ranked highest with an HDI of 0.972.

Which countries have historically ranked highest in the Human Development Index?

Norway has been the top-ranked country the most times, leading sixteen times. Canada has ranked highest eight times, Iceland three times, and Switzerland and Japan have each ranked highest twice.

What is the significance of the 'change since 2015' column in the HDI tables?

The 'change since 2015' column indicates how much a country's HDI rank has improved or declined relative to its position in 2015. This provides insight into the recent trends in human development progress for different nations.

What criticisms have been leveled against the HDI?

Criticisms include its focus on national averages, potential data errors, changes in calculation formulas leading to misclassification, and its failure to account for sustainability, social inequality, unemployment, or democracy. Some argue that educational attainment measures quantity over quality.

How has the UNDP responded to criticisms regarding country classification?

The UNDP has responded by systematically revising the methods used for HDI calculation and updating the thresholds for classifying countries into development categories. This aims to address critiques by ensuring that classifications are continuously updated to reflect formula and data revisions.

What is the 'planetary pressures-adjusted HDI'?

The planetary pressures-adjusted HDI is an index that addresses the criticism that the standard HDI does not consider environmental sustainability. It adjusts the HDI score based on a country's environmental impact, penalizing nations with high ecological footprints.

What is the 'Human Poverty Index'?

The Human Poverty Index (HPI) is another measure developed by the UNDP that focuses on deprivations in the three basic dimensions of human development. It aims to capture the human cost of development failures.

What is the purpose of the 'Country/region specific HDI lists' section?

This section provides links to more detailed HDI data broken down by specific regions or administrative divisions within countries. This allows for a more granular understanding of human development variations within nations.

What does the 'Average annual growth (2010-2023)' metric represent in the HDI tables?

This metric shows the average percentage increase in a country's HDI score per year between 2010 and 2023. It reflects the pace of human development progress over that period.

What is the 'GNI (PPP) per capita' used in the HDI calculation?

GNI (PPP) per capita refers to the Gross National Income per person, adjusted for purchasing power parity. This adjustment accounts for differences in the cost of living and inflation rates between countries, providing a more comparable measure of income.

What is the role of Amartya Sen's work in the development of the HDI?

The HDI is anchored in Amartya Sen's work on human capabilities, which emphasizes that development should be viewed in terms of people's freedom to 'be' and 'do' things they value. This capability approach focuses on expanding human freedoms and opportunities.

How does the HDI differentiate between voluntary and involuntary hunger?

The HDI's framework, based on Sen's capabilities approach, distinguishes between different reasons for deprivation. For example, choosing to fast for religious reasons is considered different from being hungry due to poverty or famine, highlighting the importance of freedom and choice in human development.

What does the '2023 data (2025 report)' notation signify?

This notation indicates that the HDI scores and rankings presented are based on data collected in the year 2023, but were published in the Human Development Report of 2025. This reflects the time lag often involved in collecting and processing comprehensive global data.

What is the 'Gender Inequality Index' (GII)?

The Gender Inequality Index (GII) is a composite index that measures gender inequalities in reproductive health, empowerment, and economic activity. It is a separate index from the HDI but is often discussed alongside it as a measure of development.

What is the 'Gender Development Index' (GDI)?

The Gender Development Index (GDI) measures gender gaps in human development achievements. It is essentially an adjusted HDI that accounts for gender disparities in health, education, and income.

What are the potential consequences of data errors in HDI calculations, according to Wolff, Chong, and Auffhammer?

According to Wolff, Chong, and Auffhammer, data errors stemming from updates, formula revisions, and classification thresholds can lead to significant misclassification of countries' development status. They suggest this could misguide policymakers, investors, and the public, and potentially incentivize strategic reporting of statistics.

What is the 'Social Progress Index'?

The Social Progress Index is another measure that assesses countries based on social and environmental outcomes, independent of economic indicators. It focuses on aspects like basic human needs, foundations of well-being, and opportunity.

What does the 'Geographical coverage' section imply about the HDI?

The geographical coverage section notes that the HDI's scope has expanded over time, with efforts to include more economies than initially enumerated by the UNDP. This indicates a continuous effort to make the index more globally comprehensive.

What is the 'Misery Index' in economics?

The Misery Index is an economic indicator that sums the unemployment rate and the inflation rate. It is used to gauge the economic well-being of citizens, with higher scores indicating greater economic hardship.

How does the HDI relate to the concept of 'people-centered policies'?

The HDI was explicitly designed to promote 'people-centered policies' by shifting the focus from economic growth alone to broader measures of human well-being, such as health and education. It serves as a tool to advocate for development strategies that prioritize human capabilities and quality of life.

What is the 'Global Innovation Index'?

The Global Innovation Index (GII) ranks countries based on their innovation capabilities and results, considering factors like institutions, human capital, infrastructure, market sophistication, business sophistication, knowledge and technology outputs, and creative outputs.

What does the 'Authority control' section typically provide?

The Authority control section provides links to databases that catalog and organize information about the subject, such as the GND (German National Library) and Wikidata. This helps in identifying and verifying the subject across different knowledge bases.

What is the 'Planetary Pressures-adjusted HDI' designed to address?

The Planetary Pressures-adjusted HDI is designed to address the criticism that the standard HDI does not account for environmental sustainability. It adjusts the HDI score based on a country's ecological footprint, penalizing nations that exceed planetary boundaries.

What is the 'Global Hunger Index'?

The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is a tool designed to track and understand global hunger and malnutrition. It is calculated based on indicators related to undernourishment, child wasting, child stunting, and child mortality.

What is the 'Social Progress Index' measuring?

The Social Progress Index measures countries' social and environmental performance based on a set of indicators that capture basic human needs, foundations of well-being, and opportunities. It aims to provide a holistic view of development beyond economic metrics.

What does the 'Feminization of poverty' refer to?

The 'Feminization of poverty' refers to the trend where women, particularly single mothers, are disproportionately represented among the poor. This phenomenon highlights gender disparities in economic opportunities and social support systems.

What is the 'Multidimensional Poverty Index' (MPI)?

The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) measures poverty based on multiple deprivations at the household and individual level across health, education, and standard of living. It provides a more detailed picture of poverty than income-based measures alone.

What is the 'Corruption Perceptions Index'?

The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) ranks countries by their perceived levels of public sector corruption, as determined by expert assessments and surveys of businesspeople. It is used as an indicator of governance quality.

What is the 'Democracy Index'?

The Democracy Index is a measure developed by the Economist Intelligence Unit that assesses the state of democracy in 173 countries based on factors like electoral process and pluralism, functioning of government, political participation, political culture, and civil liberties.

What does the 'Fragile States Index' measure?

The Fragile States Index (formerly the Failed States Index) ranks countries based on their vulnerability to conflict and collapse. It assesses countries across twelve indicators, including economic, social, and political/military pressures.

What is the 'Global Peace Index'?

The Global Peace Index (GPI) is an annual ranking produced by the Institute for Economics & Peace that measures the relative peacefulness of countries. It is based on factors such as societal safety and security, ongoing domestic and international conflict, and militarization.

What is the 'Good Country Index'?

The Good Country Index measures how much each country contributes to the common good of humanity and the planet. It assesses countries based on seven categories: science and technology, culture, international peace and security, world order, planet and climate, wealth and equality, and health and well-being.

What is the 'Where-to-be-born Index'?

The Where-to-be-born Index is a ranking that assesses the best countries to be born in based on a range of factors including quality of life, health, safety, and economic prosperity. It aims to provide a perspective on opportunities available to newborns.

What is the 'OECD Better Life Index'?

The OECD Better Life Index allows users to compare well-being across countries based on 11 topics that cover material conditions and quality of life, such as housing, income, jobs, education, health, environment, civic engagement, and life satisfaction.

What does the 'List of countries by population density' indicate?

This list ranks countries based on the number of people per unit of area, typically per square kilometer or square mile. It helps understand how population is distributed across a country's territory.

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What is the Human Development Index?

A Composite Measure

The Human Development Index (HDI) is a statistical composite index that measures a country's achievements in three fundamental dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, access to knowledge, and a decent standard of living. It is used to rank countries into four tiers of human development, providing a broader perspective than purely economic indicators like Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Ranking Progress

A country scores a higher HDI when its citizens experience higher life expectancy, greater access to education (measured by mean years of schooling and expected years of schooling), and a higher gross national income (GNI) per capita. This index helps to evaluate national progress and identify areas for policy focus.

Conceptual Foundation

Developed by Pakistani economist Mahbub ul-Haq and further utilized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the HDI is rooted in the human development approach. This approach, influenced by Amartya Sen's work on human capabilities, emphasizes what people can "be" and "do" – such as being healthy, educated, and having the freedom to participate in community life.

Origins and Evolution

Mahbub ul-Haq's Vision

The HDI originated from the annual Human Development Reports initiated by Pakistani economist Mahbub ul-Haq in 1990. His explicit goal was to shift the focus of development economics from mere national income accounting to people-centered policies. He advocated for a simple, composite measure to highlight human well-being alongside economic progress.

UNDP's Role

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been instrumental in producing and disseminating the HDI through its Human Development Report Office. This collaboration has established the HDI as a key tool for assessing and comparing development levels across nations globally.

Methodological Updates

The methodology for calculating the HDI has evolved. Notably, the 2010 Human Development Report introduced an updated framework, including the Inequality-adjusted HDI (IHDI), to account for disparities within countries. The core HDI calculation itself was refined to better reflect the three dimensions.

The Three Dimensions

Health and Longevity

This dimension is measured by Life Expectancy at Birth. It reflects the average number of years a newborn infant is expected to live if current mortality patterns were to remain constant. The index ranges from 20 years (minimum goalpost) to 85 years (maximum goalpost).

Knowledge and Education

This dimension is captured by two indicators:

Mean Years of Schooling (MYS): The average number of years of education received by people aged 25 and older. The maximum goalpost is 15 years.
Expected Years of Schooling (EYS): The number of years of schooling expected for children entering the education system, based on current enrollment rates. The maximum goalpost is 18 years.

These are combined into an Education Index (EI).

Standard of Living

This dimension is measured by Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP) in international dollars. It represents the total income earned by a nation's people and businesses, divided by the population. The calculation uses the natural logarithm of GNI per capita, with goalposts set at $100 and $75,000.

Calculating the HDI

Normalization Process

Each of the three dimensions is first converted into an index on a scale of 0 to 1. This is achieved using a goalpost system, where minimum and maximum values are set for each indicator. The formula used is:
$\text{Index}={\frac {x-a}{b-a}}$ where 'x' is the actual value, 'a' is the minimum value, and 'b' is the maximum value.

Geometric Mean

After the three dimension indices (Life Expectancy Index, Education Index, Income Index) are calculated, the final HDI is computed as the geometric mean of these three indices. This method ensures that a country must perform reasonably well across all dimensions to achieve a high overall HDI score, preventing a high score in one dimension from compensating for very low scores in others.

The formula for the HDI is:

$\text{HDI}={\sqrt[{3}]{{\text{LEI}}\cdot {\text{EI}}\cdot {\text{II}}}}.$

Where:

LEI = Life Expectancy Index
EI = Education Index
II = Income Index

The EI itself is the average of the Mean Years of Schooling Index (MYSI) and the Expected Years of Schooling Index (EYSI). The Income Index (II) uses the logarithm of GNI per capita. The goalposts for the 2010 methodology are: LE (20-85 years), MYS (0-15 years), EYS (0-18 years), and GNIpc ($100-$75,000).

Old vs. New Methods

Prior to 2010, the HDI calculation used a different set of indicators and goalposts. The older method included adult literacy rate and gross enrollment ratio for education, and GDP per capita (logarithmically) for income. The 2010 update refined these indicators and introduced the geometric mean for combining dimensions, aiming for a more robust measure of human development.

Global Trends and Rankings

2023 Data Insights

The Human Development Report 2025, reflecting 2023 data, highlights significant global progress, though unevenly distributed. Countries are categorized into four tiers: Very High, High, Medium, and Low Human Development. The "Very High Human Development" category typically includes nations with HDI values of 0.800 and above.

Leading Nations

The top-ranked countries consistently demonstrate strong performance across all three HDI dimensions. For the 2023 data (published in 2025), countries like Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland are among those leading the global rankings, reflecting sustained investment in health, education, and income.

Based on the 2023 data (published in 2025), the following countries ranked highest:

Rank (2023)	Country	HDI (2023)	Avg. Annual Growth (2010-2023)
1	Iceland	0.972	0.28%
2	Norway	0.970	0.25%
2	Switzerland	0.970	0.24%
4	Denmark	0.962	0.35%
5	Germany	0.959	0.19%

Growth and Development

The HDI trends illustrate the dynamic nature of global development. While many nations have made substantial gains, progress can be uneven. The average annual growth rate of HDI from 2010 to 2023 provides insight into the pace of development, with some regions showing faster improvement than others.

Historical Leaders

Consistent High Performers

Historically, several nations have consistently ranked at the top of the HDI. Norway leads the list with numerous first-place finishes, often followed closely by Canada, Iceland, Switzerland, and Japan, underscoring their sustained commitment to human development across decades.

Notable past top-ranked countries by HDI:

2023 (2025 Report): Iceland
2022 (2024 Report): Switzerland
2021 (2022 Report): Switzerland
2019 (2020 Report): Norway
2018 (2019 Report): Norway
2017 (2018 Report): Norway
2015 (2016 Report): Norway
2014 (2015 Report): Norway
2013 (2014 Report): Norway
2012 (2013 Report): Norway
2011 (2011 Report): Norway
2010 (2010 Report): Norway
2007 (2009 Report): Norway
2006 (2008 Report): Iceland
2005 (2007 Report): Iceland
2004 (2006 Report): Norway

Methodological Framework

Index Construction

The HDI is constructed by creating indices for each of the three dimensions: health, education, and income. These dimension indices are then aggregated into a single composite index. The process involves setting minimum and maximum values (goalposts) for each indicator to normalize them onto a scale of 0 to 1.

Geometric vs. Arithmetic Mean

The choice of the geometric mean for aggregating the dimension indices is deliberate. It ensures that poor performance in one dimension cannot be fully offset by excellent performance in another, promoting a more balanced view of development. This contrasts with an arithmetic mean, which might mask significant disparities.

Acknowledging Limitations

What HDI Doesn't Measure

While the HDI is a valuable tool, it does not capture all aspects of human development. It does not account for factors such as net wealth per capita, the quality of goods and services, or the extent of social and political freedoms. Furthermore, the basic HDI does not directly measure inequality within a country; the Inequality-adjusted HDI (IHDI) addresses this limitation.

A Statistical Snapshot

The HDI provides a standardized snapshot of average achievements in key areas. It is a statistical measure designed for broad international comparisons. For a comprehensive understanding of a nation's development, it should be considered alongside other indicators that capture different facets of well-being, governance, and sustainability.

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References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Human Development Index Wikipedia page

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Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date. The Human Development Index is a statistical tool and does not encompass all aspects of human well-being or societal progress.

This is not professional advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional statistical analysis, economic consultation, or policy advice. Always refer to the official United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reports and consult with qualified professionals for specific needs.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.

The Human Development Compass

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What is the Human Development Index? ℹ️

🌍 A Composite Measure

📈 Ranking Progress

💡 Conceptual Foundation

Origins and Evolution 📜

👤 Mahbub ul-Haq's Vision

🤝 UNDP's Role

🔄 Methodological Updates

The Three Dimensions 📏

❤️ Health and Longevity

🎓 Knowledge and Education

💰 Standard of Living

Calculating the HDI 🧮

🔢 Normalization Process

➗ Geometric Mean

⚖️ Old vs. New Methods

Global Trends and Rankings 📈

📊 2023 Data Insights

🏆 Leading Nations

📉 Growth and Development

Historical Leaders 🏆

🕰️ Consistent High Performers

Methodological Framework ⚙️

📏 Index Construction

⚖️ Geometric vs. Arithmetic Mean

Acknowledging Limitations ⚠️

🤔 What HDI Doesn't Measure

nuanced A Statistical Snapshot

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📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

What is the Human Development Index?

A Composite Measure

Ranking Progress

Conceptual Foundation

Origins and Evolution

Mahbub ul-Haq's Vision

UNDP's Role

Methodological Updates

The Three Dimensions

Health and Longevity

Knowledge and Education

Standard of Living

Calculating the HDI

Normalization Process

Geometric Mean

Old vs. New Methods

Global Trends and Rankings

2023 Data Insights

Leading Nations

Growth and Development

Historical Leaders

Consistent High Performers

Methodological Framework

Index Construction

Geometric vs. Arithmetic Mean

Acknowledging Limitations

What HDI Doesn't Measure

A Statistical Snapshot

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice