English

Indicators of Human Development

Advertisements

Topics

Estimated time: 12 minutes
CBSE: Class 12

Introduction

  • Human development indicators are measurable values used to assess how development has improved the quality of human life in a country.
  • They cover dimensions of income, health, education, sanitation, poverty, and liberty.
CBSE: Class 12

Comparative Data: India, China & Pakistan (2017–2023)

Indicator India China Pakistan

Human Development Index (Value)

0.685 0.797 0.544
Rank (based on HDI) 130 78 168
Life Expectancy (years) 72.0 78.0 67.6
Mean Years of Schooling (15+) 6.9 8.0 4.3
Gross National Income per Capita (PPP US\[$\]) 9,047 22,029 5,501
Below Poverty Line (%) 21.9 (2019–21) 0.0 (2023) 21.9 (2023)
Infant Mortality (per 1,000) 25.5 4.8 51
Maternal Mortality (per 1 lakh) 103 23 154
Basic Sanitation (%) 78 96 71
Basic Drinking Water (%) 93 98 91
Undernourishment (%) 17 3 19
CBSE: Class 12

Key Observations

  • China is ahead of both India and Pakistan across most indicators — including GNI per capita, poverty elimination, infant mortality, sanitation, life expectancy, and undernourishment.
  • India and Pakistan both lag on maternal mortality rate compared to China.
  • Pakistan has the lowest HDI (0.544, Rank 168) among the three and the highest infant mortality (51) and maternal mortality (154).
  • China has virtually eliminated poverty at 0.0%, while India and Pakistan remain at 21.9% each.
CBSE: Class 12

Liberty Indicators

Existing human development indicators are incomplete without liberty indicators.

Liberty indicators include:

  • Democratic participation
  • Constitutional protection of citizens' rights
  • Independence of the judiciary
  • Rule of law

It is argued that liberty indicators should have overriding importance in any human development index.

CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Indicators of Human Development

  • Human development is measured through income, health, education, sanitation and poverty.
  • China has the highest HDI (0.797, Rank 78); Pakistan has the lowest (0.544, Rank 168).
  • China has 0% extreme poverty and performs best in sanitation, drinking water and nutrition.
  • Pakistan has the highest infant and maternal mortality among the three countries.
  • Liberty indicators (democracy, rights, judicial independence and rule of law) are not included in HDI but are important for overall human development.
Advertisements
Share
Notifications

Englishहिंदीमराठी


      Forgot password?
Use app×