How has the Human Development Index (HDI) changed over time?

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How has the Human Development Index (HDI) changed over time?

The Human Development Index (HDI) has undergone significant changes over time. Initially introduced by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1990, the HDI was designed as a composite measure to assess the overall development of countries beyond just economic indicators.

Since its inception, the HDI has evolved to incorporate additional dimensions and indicators to provide a more comprehensive understanding of human development. Initially, the HDI only included three dimensions: life expectancy at birth, education (measured by adult literacy rate and gross enrollment ratio), and gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. However, over time, the HDI has been refined to include more indicators and dimensions.

In 2010, the UNDP introduced the Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI), which takes into account inequalities in health, education, and income within a country. This addition aimed to address the disparities that exist within countries and provide a more accurate representation of human development.

Furthermore, the HDI has expanded to include additional indicators such as gender inequality, environmental sustainability, and poverty. The Gender Development Index (GDI) and the Gender Inequality Index (GII) were introduced to measure gender disparities in development, while the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) was introduced to capture the various dimensions of poverty beyond income.

Another significant change in the HDI over time is the expansion of its coverage. Initially, the HDI only covered a limited number of countries, but it has gradually expanded to include a broader range of countries, providing a more global perspective on human development.

Overall, the HDI has evolved to become a more comprehensive and nuanced measure of human development, incorporating additional dimensions, indicators, and addressing inequalities. These changes have allowed for a better understanding of the progress and challenges in human development over time.