How does the Human Development Index (HDI) reflect gender inequality?

The Human Development Index (HDI) reflects gender inequality by incorporating gender-related indicators into its calculation. The HDI measures the overall development of a country based on three dimensions: health, education, and income.

In terms of health, the HDI considers indicators such as life expectancy at birth for both males and females. If there is a significant disparity in life expectancy between genders, it indicates gender inequality in access to healthcare and overall well-being.

In terms of education, the HDI takes into account indicators such as mean years of schooling and expected years of schooling for both males and females. If there is a significant difference in educational attainment between genders, it suggests gender inequality in access to education and opportunities for personal development.

In terms of income, the HDI considers the Gross National Income (GNI) per capita for both males and females. If there is a substantial income gap between genders, it indicates gender inequality in economic opportunities and financial empowerment.

By including these gender-related indicators, the HDI provides a comprehensive assessment of a country's development that takes into account gender disparities. A lower HDI value suggests higher gender inequality, while a higher HDI value indicates lower gender inequality. This allows policymakers and researchers to identify areas where gender inequality persists and develop targeted interventions to address these disparities.