On what basis the UNDP compares countries on Human Development? Explain Human development briefly.

Question

Read the source given below and answer the questions that follow:

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT Once it is realised that even though the level of income is important, yet it is an inadequate measure of the level of development, we begin to think of other criterion. There could be a long list of such criterion but then it would not be so useful. What we need is a small number of the most important things. Health and education indicators, such as the ones we used in comparison of Kerala and Punjab, are among them. Over the past decade or so, health and education indicators have come to be widely used along with income as a measure of development. For instance, Human Development Report published by UNDP compares countries based on the educational levels of the people, their health status and per capita income. It would be interesting to look at certain relevant data regarding India and its neighbours from Human Development Report 2006.

i. On what basis the UNDP compares countries on Human Development?

ii. Explain Human development briefly.

iii. Mention other aspects that should be considered in measuring human development.

Answer 1

(i) Human Development Report published by UNDP compares countries based on the educational levels of the people, their health status and per capita income.

(ii) Human development is a process of enhancing the range of people’s choices, increasing their opportunities for education, health care, income, and empowerment. It also covers the full range of human choices from a sound physical environment to economic, political, and social freedom.

(iii) Yes, there other aspects as well like- Life expectancy, access to public facilities such as water, sanitation, roads, electricity etc.