Which indicator is used to measure the 'Knowledge' dimension of the Human Development Index?

Question

Which indicator is used to measure the 'Knowledge' dimension of the Human Development Index?

1. A. Student-to-teacher ratio in secondary education
2. B. Mean years of schooling and Expected years of schooling (Correct answer)
3. C. Adult literacy rate and primary school enrollment
4. D. Number of universities and research publications

Correct Answer

Option B — Mean years of schooling and Expected years of schooling

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Mean years of schooling and Expected years of schooling.

Key Points

• The HDI combines three dimensions, and the Knowledge dimension is measured by two education indicators together:
  • Mean years of schooling for adults aged 25 and over
  • Expected years of schooling for children entering school
• Adult literacy rate was used in the older methodology but was replaced in the 2010 revision, which is why option C is the historical trap.

Additional Information

• The other two dimensions: a long and healthy life, measured by life expectancy at birth, and a decent standard of living, measured by GNI per capita (PPP).
• The HDI is published by the UNDP in the annual Human Development Report, first issued in 1990 and devised by Mahbub ul Haq with Amartya Sen.
• Values run from 0 to 1, with countries grouped as low, medium, high and very high human development.
• Related indices in the same report: the Inequality-adjusted HDI, the Gender Inequality Index and the Multidimensional Poverty Index.