Topic 3: Human Development Index (HDI)

What does HDI stand for?

Human Development Index.

What does the Human Development Index measure?

It measures the level of human development in a country.

What three main factors does HDI look at?

1. Life expectancy — how long people live

2. Education — the average level of education

3. Income — the average income earned

Memory trick:
HDI = Health + Education + Income

What does the life expectancy component of HDI measure?

The average number of years people are expected to live.

Why is life expectancy included in HDI?

It gives an indication of the health and living conditions of people in a country.

What does the education component of HDI measure?

The average level of education of people in a country.

According to your notes, what is one measure used for education in HDI?

The percentage of people who have an academic education.

Why is education important when measuring development?

Higher education levels can give people more opportunities, skills and choices, contributing to improved quality of life.

What does the income component of HDI measure?

The average income available to each person in a country.

What income measure is used in HDI?

Gross National Income (GNI) per capita.

What does "per capita" mean?

Per person.

So GNI per capita = GNI ÷ population.

What does GNI per capita tell us?

It gives an estimate of the average income available per person in a country.

What are the three HDI categories in your notes?

• 🟢 High HDI

• 🟡 Medium HDI

• Low HDI

What would you generally expect from a country with a high HDI?

Generally:

• High life expectancy

• High education levels

• High income per person

• Better overall quality of life

What would you generally expect from a country with a low HDI?

Generally:

• Lower life expectancy

• Lower education levels

• Lower income per person

• Lower overall quality of life

Would a MEDC generally have a high or low HDI?

High HDI.

Would an LEDC generally have a high or low HDI?

Low or medium HDI.

Why would a MEDC generally have a higher HDI than an LEDC?

A MEDC generally has higher income, better access to education and healthcare, and higher life expectancy.

Why is HDI a better measure of development than income alone?

Because HDI considers three dimensions of human development — health, education and income — instead of only looking at economic wealth.

Why is HDI useful for comparing countries?

It provides a way to compare countries based on people's overall development and quality of life, rather than only their economic wealth.

If Country A has a higher HDI than Country B, what does this generally suggest?

Country A generally has better outcomes in health, education and income than Country B.

Name the three components of the HDI.

Life expectancy + Education + Income

What does GNI per capita mean?

Gross National Income per person in a country.

What does "per capita" mean?

Per person.

A country has high life expectancy, high education levels and high income per person. Would you expect its HDI to be high or low?

High HDI

A country has low life expectancy, low education levels and low income per person. Would you expect its HDI to be high or low?

Low HDI.