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The Human Development Index (HDI)

The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite index that measures the overall development and well-being of a country's population. It was developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as a way to go beyond purely economic indicators, such as GDP, and provide a more comprehensive assessment of human progress.

The HDI takes into account three main dimensions of development:

1. Life expectancy at birth: This indicator reflects the overall health and well-being of a population. Countries with higher life expectancies generally have better access to healthcare, sanitation, and nutrition.

2. Education: The education component of the HDI considers two factors: (a) Expected years of schooling, which measures the average number of years a child is expected to receive formal education, and (b) Mean years of schooling, which quantifies the average number of years of education received by adults aged 25 and older.

3. Gross national income (GNI) per capita: GNI per capita is used as a measure of the standard of living and economic well-being. It reflects the average income of individuals in a country, taking into account both domestic and international sources.

The HDI combines these three dimensions into a single index, ranging from 0 to 1, where a higher value indicates greater development. The index allows for comparisons between countries and provides insights into the progress and quality of life of their populations.

In addition to the overall HDI, the UNDP also calculates and publishes the Inequality-Adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI). The IHDI takes into account disparities in education, income, and life expectancy within a country, providing a more nuanced view of development by considering the distribution of well-being among a population.

The HDI is widely used as a tool for policy analysis, international comparisons, and tracking progress over time. It helps policymakers and researchers assess the effectiveness of development strategies and identify areas that require attention and improvement to enhance human well-being.

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