The human development index revisited

The first Human Development Report (1990) introduced a new way of measuring human development—by combining indicators of life expectancy, educational attainment and income into a composite human development index, the HDI (box 5.1). The Report acknowledged that no single index could ever completely capture such a complex concept. It acknowledged, too, that the HDI would remain subject to improvements, corrections and refinements— both as a result of a growing awareness of its deficiencies, and to accommodate criticisms and suggestions from academics and policy-makers. Also to be emphasized is that the HDI is not intended to replace the other detailed socioeconomic indicators in this Report, for these are essential for a fuller understanding of individual countries.

Related Subject(s): Economic and Social Development