Gender Development Index

Gender Development Index (GDI) is a measure reflecting the inequalities between men and women in a country. It is based on the Human Development Index (HDI) and is calculated for both genders in the same three dimensions as the HDI: health, measured by life expectancy at birth; education, measured by mean years of schooling for adults aged 25 years or more and expected years of schooling for children entering school; and standard of living, measured by gross national income per capita.

The GDI is designed to show the gap in human development achievements between women and men. It is calculated as the ratio of the female to the male HDI values. A GDI value of 1 indicates perfect equality between genders; a value less than 1 indicates that a country is doing better in HDI terms for men than for women.

Calculation

The GDI is calculated by taking the average of three gender-specific indices for each of the HDI dimensions. The formula for each gender-specific index is the same as that used for calculating the HDI, but the values used are specific to males or females. The GDI is then the ratio of the female HDI to the male HDI.

Importance

The GDI is an important tool for policymakers and researchers as it provides a more nuanced view of inequalities in human development. By focusing on gender disparities, it highlights areas where policies can be targeted to improve equality between men and women. This is crucial for achieving sustainable development goals, as gender equality is not only a fundamental human right but also a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world.

Criticisms

While the GDI is a valuable tool for highlighting gender disparities in human development, it has faced criticism. Some argue that it does not fully capture the complexities of gender inequality, such as differences in power, opportunities, and choices. Others point out that the GDI relies on data that may not be available or reliable in all countries, potentially leading to inaccuracies.

See Also

• Gender Inequality Index
• Human Development Index
• Sustainable Development Goals
• Gender Equality

References

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  Map showing countries by Gender Development Index in 2019