4.3 - Measures of development

Question 1

The Three Dimensions of the Human Development Index (HDI):

Answer 1

1) Health (Life Expectancy):
- Measurement:
> HDI assesses health through life expectancy at birth, which represents the average number of years a person is expected to live.
- Longer life expectancy indicates better health outcomes.

2) Education (Education Index):
- Measurement: The education dimension consists of two indicators:
> Mean Years of Schooling: Average years of education received by adults aged 25 and older.
> Expected Years of Schooling: The number of years a child entering school is expected to complete.
- These indicators reflect access to and quality of education.

3) Living Standards (Income per Capita):
- Measurement: HDI uses Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP), to account for cost of living differences.
- A higher GNI per capita represents a higher standard of living.

Question 2

Combining Dimensions of HDI

Answer 2

• Each of the three dimensions is measured on a scale from 0 to 1, with 1 being the highest achievement.
• The HDI combines these values by taking the geometric mean of the three indices (health, education, and living standards).
• The formula ensures that no single dimension dominates the HDI, giving each equal importance.

Question 3

Advantages of HDI

Answer 3

• Holistic Measure: HDI provides a comprehensive view of development by considering health, education, and living standards.
• Simplicity: The HDI is easy to understand and calculate, making it accessible for policymakers and the public.
• Global Comparisons: It allows for comparisons between countries and over time, highlighting trends in human development.
• Policy Guidance: HDI can guide policymakers in identifying areas of development that require attention.

Question 4

Limitations of HDI

Answer 4

• Limited Indicators: HDI does not include all dimensions of development, such as environmental sustainability, gender equality, or income distribution.
• Data Quality: HDI relies on data accuracy, which may be lacking in some countries, leading to potential inaccuracies.
• Weighting Issues: Equal weighting of dimensions may not accurately reflect a country’s development priorities.
• Regional Differences: HDI masks disparities within countries, as it presents an average for the entire nation.
• Inequality: It does not consider income or education inequality, potentially overlooking disparities within countries.

Question 5

Other Indicators of Development

Answer 5

• Gini Coefficient:
  > Measures income inequality within a country, indicating the distribution of wealth among its citizens.
• Gender Inequality Index (GII):
  > Evaluates gender disparities in health, education, and economic participation, highlighting gender-based inequalities.
• Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI):
  > This measures the percentage of the population that is multidimensional poor .
  > It uses data for health, education and standard of living but uses a broader range of indicators within these categories.
  > It highlights the countries where some areas are extremely rich but where most of the
  population is not and focuses on poverty .
  > However, it cannot be calculated for all
  countries as the data is not always available . It also doesn’t take into account the
  environment.
• Environmental Sustainability Indicators:
  > Evaluate a country’s impact on the environment, including carbon emissions, natural resource depletion, and pollution.
• Human Poverty Index (HPI):
  > Focuses on severe deprivation in health, education, and standard of living, emphasising the most disadvantaged populations.
• Social Progress Index (SPI):
  > Measures various aspects of well-being, including basic human needs, foundations of well-being, and opportunity.
• The Genuine Progress Indicator
  > It is calculated from 26 different indicators grouped into three main categories:
  > economic, environmental and social . > It aims to look at economic sustainability,
  to ensure development does not limit the amount produced and consumed in the future.
• The Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI)
  > This is an adjustment of HDI which includes a fourth indicator of development: inequality.
  > The Atkinson Index adjusts measures for education, health and income according to the level of inequality.
  > It is broader than HDI but can still be criticised
  for not taking into account more measures and quality.

Question 6

What might the multi-dimensional poverty index take into consideration?

Answer 6

EDUCATION
> Years of schooling and school attendance data

HEALTH
> child mortality
and nutrition data

LIVING STANDARDS
> availability of electricity, sanitation and safe drinking water in households, cooking fuel used, assets owned and the type of floor in a
house

Question 7

What does the genuine progress indicator tend to show about developed countries?

Answer 7

• They tend to show developed countries experiencing negative growth over time, due
  to their impact on the environment.
• Some argue this proves that development is
  unsustainable whilst others argue the index is biased and is constructed to prove the anti-growth case

Question 8

What is easier to calculate for development rather than indexes?

Answer 8

• Figures like changes in electricity production or the numbers with a mobile phone per thousand of the population can show development levels and are easier to calculate than indexes

Question 9

Sustainable Development Goals

> The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, are a set of 17 interconnected global objectives established by the United Nations (UN). > The primary aim of the SDGs is to address a wide range of global challenges and promote sustainable development across social, economic, and environmental dimensions.
Each goal is accompanied by specific targets that provide detailed guidance on what needs to be achieved.
The SDGs are designed to be universally applicable and are meant to be achieved by 2030.
They serve as a framework for governments, organisations, businesses, and individuals to work collectively toward a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous future for people and the planet.

What are they?

Answer 9

1) No Poverty:
> End poverty in all its forms everywhere.

2) Zero Hunger:
> End hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.

3) Good Health and Well-being:
> Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages.

4) Quality Education:
> Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

5) Gender Equality:
> Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

6) Clean Water and Sanitation:
> Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

7) Affordable and Clean Energy:
> Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

8) Decent Work and Economic Growth:
> Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

9) Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure:
> Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation.

10) Reduced Inequality:
> Reduce inequality within and among countries.

11) Sustainable Cities and Communities:
> Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

12) Responsible Consumption and Production:
> Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

13) Climate Action:
> Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

14) Life Below Water: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.

15) Life on Land:
> Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

16) Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions:
> Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
Partnerships for the

17) Goals:
> Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development.