Measuring social development

Social development is gauged using indicators that represent the level of wellbeing, education, health, and living standards within a society.
These indicators form components of the Human Development Index (HDI), a standardised measure developed by the United Nations for assessing social development.

The Human Development Index

HDI is a composite index of three indicators: life expectancy, education, and per capita income.
Life expectancy at birth: A high life expectancy signifies good health services and healthy living conditions.
Education: This is measured by the expected years of schooling a child can anticipate, and the average years of schooling adults (over 25) have received.
Gross National Income (GNI) per capita: Captures the average individual’s economic well-being. Adjustments are made to reflect the cost of living in different countries (purchasing power parity).

The literacy rate is a common measure of social development, representing the percentage of people aged 15 and above who can read and write.
Literacy rates can reflect the quality of the education system and are often linked to economic development.

Availability of safe drinking water and essential sanitation services are vital indicators of social development.
They reflect the capacity of the government or community to provide basic needs and services.

Rapid population growth can strain resources and hinder development. Hence, a lower growth rate is often considered an indicator of higher social development.

Health indicators like child mortality rate, maternal mortality rate, and incidence of diseases are significant measures of social development.
Lower rates signify better healthcare facilities and generally improved living conditions.

It’s critical to remember that these indicators offer an overview and may not capture every aspect of social development.
Conditions can vary considerably within countries, hence regional variations should be considered.
Sometimes there can be a trade-off between economic and social development.
Quality versus quantity: for example, high enrolment in education does not necessarily mean quality education.
Development indicators do not capture the level of inequality within a society. Two countries with the same HDI might have different levels of inequality.

Gross National Happiness (GNH): An alternative to traditional development indices, first introduced by Bhutan. The GNH looks at holistic development and wellbeing, including psychological wellbeing, health, education, culture, good governance, ecological diversity and resilience, living standards, and community vitality.

Remember to understand the strengths and weaknesses of these measures and be prepared to discuss these in your responses.