Measuring development?: a statistical critique of the UNDP's human development index

Mark McGillivray; Howard White

Measuring development? a statistical critique of the UNDP's human development index

Mark McGillivray, Howard White

Research output: Working paper › Academic

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Abstract

In its Human Development report 1990, the UNDP proposed its now well-known Human Development Index (HDI). A subsequent version of this index appeared in the UNDP's 1991 report. The index is a composite indicator of development, comprising measures of longevity, educational attainment and material living standards. This paper critically examine both versions of the HDI, concluding that its treatment of income is inappropriate; its year-on-year comparability is limited; it is robust with respect to measurement error; and that its contribution to the assessment of development levels differs markedly among country groups.

Original language	English
Place of Publication	Den Haag
Publisher	International Institute of Social Studies (ISS)
Number of pages	38
Publication status	Published - Oct 1992
Externally published	Yes

Publication series

Series	ISS working papers. General series
Number	135
ISSN	0921-0210

Series

ISS Working Paper-General Series

Access to Document

wp135Final published version, 3.15 MB

Cite this

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AB - In its Human Development report 1990, the UNDP proposed its now well-known Human Development Index (HDI). A subsequent version of this index appeared in the UNDP's 1991 report. The index is a composite indicator of development, comprising measures of longevity, educational attainment and material living standards. This paper critically examine both versions of the HDI, concluding that its treatment of income is inappropriate; its year-on-year comparability is limited; it is robust with respect to measurement error; and that its contribution to the assessment of development levels differs markedly among country groups.

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