4.1.5 - Human development

Question 1

Human development

Answer 1

Creating an environment in which people can develop to their full potential + lead productive, creative lives, according to their needs + interests. It is about expanding people’s choices + enhancing capabilities, having access to knowledge, health, + a decent SOL, and participating in the life of their community + decisions affecting their lives.

Question 2

Human Development Index (HDI)

Answer 2

A tool used by the UN to measure + rank countries’s level of social + economical development. It provides a single statistic based on 3 dimensions + 4 indicators.

Question 3

Dimensions

Answer 3

Relates to the broad concepts that make up a part of the UN’s interpretation of HD.
- A long + healthy life, knowledge, and a decent standard of living.

Question 4

Indicators

Answer 4

The measurable aspects of each dimension.
- LE at birth, mean years of schooling, expected years of schooling, GNI per capita.

Question 5

Advantages of the HDI

Answer 5

• Comprehensive representation (takes into account more than just average income).
• Provides a single/composite stat that makes it easy to compare.
• Useful for analysing progress over time.

Question 6

Disadvantages

Answer 6

• Ignores some aspects of HD (eg. gender equality, clean water + sanitation, political stability, etc).
• Based on averages which doesn’t provide an indication of the inequalities experienced.
• No survey data is included (people’s feelings about lives + issues facing community aren’t reflected).