Human Development

(Class 12 Geography – CBSE, 2025–26)

1. Introduction

• Development means improvement in quality of life of people.
• But growth (increase in income/production) ≠ development (improvement in well-being).
• Human Development → concept that places people at the centre of development.

👉 Focus: expanding choices, improving quality of life, ensuring dignity, equality, and sustainability.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) introduced the Human Development Index (HDI) in 1990. It measures development by combining income, education, and health.

2. Meaning of Human Development

Definition (by UNDP):
Human development is a process of enlarging people’s choices, allowing them to live long, healthy, and creative lives with dignity.

🔹 It is people-centric, not just economy-centric.
🔹 It stresses on equity, sustainability, productivity, and empowerment.

Simple Formula:
Human Development = Economic Growth + Social Progress + Political Freedom + Sustainability

3. The Four Pillars of Human Development

Human Development rests on four interrelated pillars:

• 🔸 Equity → equal opportunities for all (e.g., equal access to education & healthcare).
• 🔹 Sustainability → development without harming future generations.
• 🔸 Productivity → people must contribute to society and economy productively.
• 🔹 Empowerment → giving people freedom, dignity, and ability to make decisions.

👉 Example: India’s Right to Education Act (2009) reflects equity + empowerment.

4. Approaches to Human Development

1. Income Approach
   • Development measured by per capita income.
   • Criticism → ignores inequality, health, education.
2. Welfare Approach
   • Focus on social welfare (health, education, nutrition).
   • But people’s freedom & participation ignored.
3. Basic Needs Approach
   • Ensure minimum needs: food, shelter, clothing, education, health.
   • Criticism: Focuses on what is provided, not what people choose.
4. Capability Approach (Amartya Sen)
   • Development = enhancing people’s capabilities & choices.
   • Stresses freedom, participation, opportunities.
   • Adopted by UNDP for HDI.

5. Indicators of Human Development

To measure Human Development, we use quantitative and qualitative indicators.

(i) Quantitative Indicators

• Health → Life expectancy at birth.
• Education → Mean years of schooling + Expected years of schooling.
• Income → Gross National Income (GNI) per capita (PPP).

(ii) Qualitative Indicators

• Social security, gender equality, political freedom, cultural identity, environment.

👉 Together, these indicators are combined into the Human Development Index (HDI).

6. Human Development Index (HDI)

Introduced by UNDP in 1990 (Mahbub-ul-Haq + Amartya Sen).

HDI Components:

• Health → Life expectancy at birth.
• Education → Mean & expected years of schooling.
• Income → GNI per capita (PPP, US$).

HDI Ranking

• Countries grouped into:
  🔹 Very High Human Development (HDI > 0.800) → Norway, Switzerland, Ireland.
  🔹 High Human Development (0.700–0.799) → China, Brazil.
  🔹 Medium Human Development (0.550–0.699) → India, Indonesia.
  🔹 Low Human Development (<0.550) → Niger, Chad.

👉 India’s HDI (2023) = ~0.644 (Rank ~134/191) → Medium category.

7. International Comparisons

(i) High HDI Countries

• Norway, Switzerland, Germany.
• Features: high literacy, healthcare, technology, gender equality.

(ii) Medium HDI Countries

• India, Egypt, Indonesia.
• Features: improvements in education & health but issues of inequality, unemployment.

(iii) Low HDI Countries

• Sub-Saharan Africa (Niger, Chad, South Sudan).
• Features: poverty, political instability, poor health infrastructure.

8. Human Development in India

• India is 2nd most populous country → human development varies across states.

State-wise HDI Variation (examples):

• High HDI States → Kerala, Delhi, Goa, Himachal Pradesh.
• Medium HDI States → Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Punjab.
• Low HDI States → Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh.

Reasons for Variation:

• Literacy, health facilities, gender equality, per capita income, government policies.

👉 Case Study: Kerala has high HDI because of high literacy (94%), strong healthcare, social welfare schemes.

9. Human Development and Economic Growth

• Economic growth ≠ human development, but both are linked.
• Example:
  🔸 Sri Lanka → modest income but high HDI (education & health strong).
  🔸 Saudi Arabia → high income but moderate HDI (inequality, less gender empowerment).

10. Criticism of HDI

• Ignores inequality within a country.
• Ignores cultural, political freedom, and environmental aspects.
• Too much focus on averages.

👉 Alternative Indices:

• Gender Inequality Index (GII)
• Human Poverty Index (HPI)
• Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)

11. Human Development Challenges

• Poverty and unemployment.
• Gender inequality.
• Regional disparity.
• Climate change, environmental degradation.
• Health crises (COVID-19 pandemic).
• Refugee and migration issues.

12. Human Development Strategies

• Universal education and skill training.
• Access to healthcare for all.
• Employment generation.
• Social security and welfare.
• Sustainable use of resources.
• Women empowerment and gender equality.

13. Case Studies / Examples

• Kerala Model (India) → High literacy, healthcare, despite modest income.
• China → Economic growth lifted millions out of poverty, improved HDI.
• Norway → Top in HDI due to welfare policies, equality, strong institutions.
• Sub-Saharan Africa → Low HDI due to poverty, conflict, poor infrastructure.

14. Key Terms

• Human Development → enlarging people’s choices & well-being.
• HDI → composite index of health, education, and income.
• PPP (Purchasing Power Parity) → compares income considering cost of living.
• Gender Inequality Index (GII) → measures inequality between men & women.
• Capability Approach → Amartya Sen’s theory focusing on opportunities & choices.

15. Sample Answer Frames (Exam Writing Help)

(i) 3 Marks Question: Define Human Development.

Answer Frame:
Human Development is the process of enlarging people’s choices, improving their well-being, and providing opportunities for a dignified life. It goes beyond income and includes health, education, equity, empowerment, and sustainability.

(ii) 5 Marks Question: Explain the four pillars of Human Development.

Answer Frame:

• Equity → equal access to opportunities.
• Sustainability → development without harming future generations.
• Productivity → people contribute to society.
• Empowerment → freedom and dignity for all.
  Together, these ensure that development is people-centered and holistic.

(iii) 6 Marks Question: Discuss the Approaches to Human Development.

Answer Frame:

• Income approach → per capita income (limited view).
• Welfare approach → health & education focus.
• Basic needs approach → food, shelter, clothing, education.
• Capability approach (Amartya Sen) → enlarging choices, freedom, opportunities.
  The Capability approach is the most accepted, as used by UNDP in HDI.

16. FAQs (Quick Revision)

Q1. Who introduced HDI and when?
A: UNDP in 1990, developed by Mahbub-ul-Haq and Amartya Sen.

Q2. What are the three basic components of HDI?
A: Health (life expectancy), Education (years of schooling), Income (GNI per capita).

Q3. Which country ranks highest in HDI (2023)?
A: Norway.

Q4. What is India’s HDI rank?
A: Around 134 (Medium category).

Q5. Which Indian state has highest HDI?
A: Kerala.

Q6. Which two approaches to development focus on welfare and basic needs?
A: Welfare approach & Basic Needs approach.