Human Development and the Human Development Index

What this note covers

1. What is human development?
2. The Human Development Index (HDI): purpose and structure
3. Dimension 1 — A long and healthy life (life expectancy at birth)
4. Dimension 2 — Knowledge (mean and expected years of schooling)
5. Dimension 3 — A decent standard of living (GNI per capita, PPP)
6. From dimensions to a single 0–1 score
7. Strengths of the HDI
8. Limitations of the HDI (including masking within-country inequality)

8 sections · 14 key terms & formulas · 6 common mistakes