What is the Human Development Index (HDI) and how is it calculated?

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What is the Human Development Index (HDI) and how is it calculated?

The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite measure of human development that takes into account three dimensions: health, education, and income. It is a statistical tool used to compare and rank countries based on their level of development and well-being of their citizens.

The HDI is calculated by combining three indicators: life expectancy at birth, mean years of schooling, and gross national income per capita. These indicators are chosen to represent the three dimensions of human development.

First, life expectancy at birth measures the average number of years a person is expected to live from birth. It reflects the overall health and well-being of a population.

Second, mean years of schooling represents the average number of years of education received by adults aged 25 and older. It reflects the level of education and knowledge within a society.

Lastly, gross national income per capita measures the average income earned by individuals in a country. It reflects the economic well-being and standard of living.

To calculate the HDI, each of these indicators is normalized on a scale of 0 to 1, with 1 representing the highest level of development. The normalized values are then averaged to obtain the HDI score for a country. The HDI score ranges from 0 to 1, with 1 being the highest level of human development.

The HDI is widely used by policymakers, researchers, and international organizations to assess and compare the progress of countries in improving the well-being of their citizens. It provides a comprehensive measure that goes beyond economic indicators alone, capturing the multidimensional nature of human development.