What does the "human development index" (HDI) measure?

The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite statistic that evaluates a country's overall development based on three key dimensions: health, education, and income. Specifically, HDI incorporates life expectancy at birth as a proxy for health, mean years of schooling and expected years of schooling to signify education, and Gross National Income (GNI) per capita to reflect income. This multi-faceted approach allows for a more nuanced understanding of human development, moving beyond mere economic indicators such as GDP to include essential aspects of well-being and quality of life.

In essence, HDI provides a broader perspective on how well a country is performing in enabling its citizens to lead fulfilling lives, encompassing the social and human aspects of development rather than focusing solely on wealth or economic output. This makes it a valuable tool for assessing and comparing the development levels of different countries, highlighting where improvements are needed in health, education, and income.