The Human Development Index (HDI) serves as a summary measure of average achievement in key dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and having a decent standard of living. It is a geometric mean of normalized indices for each of the three dimensions. The health dimension is assessed by life expectancy at birth; the education dimension is measured by mean of years of schooling for adults aged 25 years and more and expected years of schooling for children of school entering age. The standard of living dimension is measured by gross national income per capita.
This composite index provides a valuable tool for ranking countries and tracking development progress over time. It offers a broader perspective than solely relying on economic indicators, acknowledging the significance of health and education in overall well-being. Its adoption by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has facilitated international comparisons and spurred policy discussions aimed at improving human development outcomes globally. By considering multiple aspects of human progress, it offers a more holistic and nuanced understanding of a nation’s development status.