Measuring development
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Flip to reveal answersWhy does measuring development matter?
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Question
Why does measuring development matter?
Answer
Because how you measure it decides what 'development' means and which countries look developed — so choosing a measure is a political choice.
Question
What does GDP per person measure, and miss?
Answer
It measures the size of the economy (income). It misses inequality, people's health and education, and the environment.
Question
What is the HDI?
Answer
The Human Development Index — it combines health, education and income into one score, capturing human development beyond money.
Question
What is the MPI?
Answer
The Multidimensional Poverty Index — it measures poverty across health, education and living standards, not just income.
Question
What is the Gini index?
Answer
A 0–1 score of income inequality: 0 = everyone equal, 1 = one person has everything.
Question
Why can GDP and the HDI disagree?
Answer
A country can be rich in GDP but rank lower on the HDI, because wealth does not always reach people as health, education and long life.
Question
Why is one measure never enough?
Answer
Every measure leaves something out and can be gamed, so the fullest picture uses several measures together.
Question
Give a limitation of GDP.
Answer
It counts only money, ignoring how it is shared, people's well-being and the environment — so it can rise while most stay poor.
Question
Give a limitation of the HDI.
Answer
It captures health, education and income but ignores inequality and freedoms, and reduces development to one number.
Question
Why can measures be misused?
Answer
Governments can choose the measure that flatters them, and data can be patchy or manipulated.
Question
What is a balanced approach to measuring development?
Answer
Use several measures together (GDP, HDI, MPI, Gini) and read each critically, knowing what it leaves out.
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Full study notes for Measuring development
Topic 3.3 hub
Nature, practice and study of development and sustainability
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Global Politics exam skills
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