How does the Human Development Index (HDI) measure well-being?

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

Firstly, the HDI considers health as an essential aspect of well-being. It includes indicators such as life expectancy at birth, which reflects the overall health and longevity of individuals in a country. A higher life expectancy indicates better access to healthcare, nutrition, and overall well-being.

Secondly, education is another crucial dimension in measuring well-being. The HDI incorporates indicators like mean years of schooling and expected years of schooling. Mean years of schooling represent the average number of years individuals have spent in formal education, while expected years of schooling indicate the number of years an individual is expected to receive education throughout their lifetime. Higher levels of education signify better opportunities for personal development, employment prospects, and overall well-being.

Lastly, the HDI takes into account the standard of living as a measure of well-being. This is assessed through the Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, which reflects the average income of individuals in a country. A higher GNI per capita indicates a higher standard of living, with better access to resources, goods, and services necessary for a decent quality of life.

By combining these three dimensions, the HDI provides a comprehensive measure of well-being that goes beyond economic indicators alone. It recognizes that well-being is not solely determined by income, but also by factors such as health and education, which are crucial for individuals to lead fulfilling lives.