Understanding the data
The aim of the Human Development Report (HDR) is to stimulate global,
regional and national policy discussions on issues that are relevant to human
development. Every year, alongside the Human Development Indicator Tables (see 
Index to Millennium Development Goal Indicators in the indicator tables HDR 2007/2008 [63 KB]) which include most of Millennium
Development Goal indicators, we present a thematic statistical
analysis in the chapters of the HDR. The State of Human Development HDR 2006 [557 KB] includes a review of human development trends over the last thirty years.
To be of relevance, this exercise requires the highest standards of data
quality, consistency, transparency and accountability. Several steps are taken
each year to ensure that the HDR maintains high quality and reliability. These
steps include partnering with many national and international statistical
agencies. In this section, you will find an extensive array of information to
help understand how the data presented in the HDR indicator tables are compiled
and how they should be used and interpreted. See the Readers
guide and note to tables Reader's Guide HDR 2007/2008 [137 KB]for more details.
You will find all of the sources for the data used and the contact information for the major statistical agencies. These are often specialized agencies of the United Nations system working on issues such as health—World Health Organization (WHO), education—United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Institute for Statistics and labour market statistics—International Labour Organization (ILO) and many more.
Several mechanisms have also been adopted by the Human Development Report Office (HDRO) to ensure that the data publish is of high quality and relevance. In addition to the small in-house team of qualified statisticians, a Senior Statistical Advisor reviews all of HDRO's statistical work. This process is supplemented by consultations with a standing Statistical Advisory Panel (SAP). A select group of distinguished national and international professionals sit on the SAP while the peer review process is done through leading regional and national statistical offices as well as international organizations.
Nonetheless several data gaps and quality issues remain. These include issues of inconsistency and incoherence between international data series and the timing of data revisions by different agencies. International cooperation is improving these deficiencies and HDRO is an active participant in this process, bringing these issues to light in the global report and seeking resolution from the relevant agencies.
Select writings on issues of statistical methodology that serve as the theoretical background for the measurement of human development are also presented. These are a collection of background papers from different editions of the Report that highlight important measurement issues, major international initiatives and also innovative ways of measuring human development.
