Measures of Development
Introduced| English | Meaning |
|---|---|
| development/dɪˈveləpmənt/ | A process of growth, change or increasing complexity over time. |
| GDP per capita/ˌdʒiː diː ˈpiː pɜː ˈkæpɪtə/ | An average — it can hide huge inequality. |
| Human Development Index/ˈhjuːmən dɪˈveləpmənt ˈɪndeks/ | A composite measure of human development combining life expectancy, education and income per person. |
| Gender Inequality Index/ˈdʒendə ɪniːˈkwɒlɪti ˈɪndeks/ | A UNDP measure of gender disadvantage in reproductive health, empowerment and the labour market; higher values indicate greater inequality. |
| Gini coefficient/ˈdʒiːni ˌkəʊɪˈfɪʃənt/ | A numerical measure of inequality in a distribution, with zero representing complete equality. |
Measuring development
- Development 发展 is improving people's economic and social well-being.
- GDP per capita 人均国内生产总值 measures economic output per person.
- But money alone is an incomplete picture of well-being.
The Human Development Index
- The Human Development Index 人类发展指数 (HDI) combines income, education, and health.
- It scores from 0 to 1, giving a fuller picture than money alone.
- Two countries with similar GDP can have very different HDI.
The Human Development Index combines health, education and income
Which measure combines income, education, and health into one score?
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The HDI combines income, education, and health (0-1).
Match each measure to what it captures.
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GDP = income; HDI = well-being; Gini = inequality.
Inequality measures
- The Gender Inequality Index 性别不平等指数 (GII) measures gaps between men and women.
- The Gini coefficient 基尼系数 measures income inequality (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).
- These add social detail that GDP hides.
Which development measure?
Match each measure to what it captures.
A high GDP per capita guarantees that wealth is shared equally.
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GDP per capita is an average and can hide huge inequality.
On the Gini coefficient scale from 0 to 1, what value means perfect income equality?
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A Gini of 0 means perfect equality; 1 means total inequality.
Select all measures of development beyond simple GDP.
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HDI, Gini, and GII measure development; break-of-bulk is an industry location idea.
GDP per capita is an average — it can hide huge inequality. A country with high average income can still have widespread poverty if the wealth is concentrated. The HDI and Gini exist precisely to look past the average.
Two countries have the same GDP per capita. But one invests in schools and hospitals — high HDI — while the other's wealth sits with a tiny elite, leaving low education and health for most — lower HDI. Money measured, but well-being differs.
Development is improving well-being. GDP per capita measures income per person (but is an average). The HDI combines income, education, and health (0-1). The GII and Gini coefficient add gender and income inequality. Use several measures, not just money.
Write from a life expectancy of 78
- Two countries have the same GNI per capita.
- Life expectancy is 78 years in one and 62 in the other.
Which country ranks higher on the health part of the HDI?
HDI health is measured largely by life expectancy.
Which life expectancy scores higher on HDI health?
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A longer life raises the health component.