How does the Human Development Index (HDI) measure social development?

The Human Development Index (HDI) measures social development by taking into account three key dimensions: health, education, and standard of living.

Firstly, the HDI considers health by looking at life expectancy at birth. This indicator reflects the overall well-being and access to healthcare services in a country. Higher life expectancy indicates better health outcomes and a higher level of social development.

Secondly, the HDI measures education by considering two indicators: mean years of schooling and expected years of schooling. Mean years of schooling represent the average number of years of education received by adults in a country, while expected years of schooling represent the number of years a child is expected to receive education. These indicators reflect the level of educational attainment and access to quality education, which are crucial for social development.

Lastly, the HDI takes into account the standard of living by considering the Gross National Income (GNI) per capita. GNI per capita reflects the average income of individuals in a country and is adjusted for purchasing power parity. This indicator reflects the economic well-being and material living conditions, which are important aspects of social development.

By combining these three dimensions, the HDI provides a comprehensive measure of social development, capturing not only economic factors but also health and education outcomes. It allows for comparisons between countries and over time, providing insights into the progress and challenges in social development.