We explain what human development is and its main aspects. Also, what is the UN Human Development Index.
What is human development?
Human development is the process in which one nation or geographic region invests a percentage of its economic resources in improving the living conditions of the citizens. It generally occurs through the creation of the conditions so that the fundamental needs of the population are satisfied and their human rights respected basics.
This concept can be understood as a measure of the quality of life of human being in a nation or society determined, which is far from purely economic considerations such as the measurement of GDP (Gross Domestic Product), for example.
It was proposed for these purposes by the United Nations Development Program, an international and multilateral entity in charge of measuring it, through the Human Development Index (HDI) and its Annual World Report on the subject.
UNDP defines Human Development as "the process of expanding people's capabilities that broaden their options and opportunities." This process is made up of social development, economic development and the sustainable development.
Human development can also be understood as the satisfaction of the needs identified by Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) in his famous pyramid.
On the other hand, it is usually studied within communities specific, identified ethnically, by gender, by regional or local geographic segmentation or even within the same town. In this way, the degree of improvement in the quality of life of a certain type of individuals can be studied and compared with the general average, or visualize its progression in the weather.