The HDI Tree

HDI Tree Help

is a visual representation that can be used to illustrate the Human Development Index together with its components and subcomponents. The design rules of the HDI tree are:

  • The height of the tree trunk is proportional to the total value of the HDI
  • The size of the three branches are proportional to each sub-indicator
  • The branches are ordered in increasing order from left to right
  • The color of the trunk is the average of the color of the components

Mathematical Representation

HDI Tree Help

Diagramatic Representation

HDI Tree Help

Source Data

Visualizations were created using data on the Human Development Index and its components provided by the HDR office at the UNDP.

The use of the dataset allows comparing countries for an extended period of time: 1980-2010.


Visual Metaphor (The HDI Tree)

HDIx: Human Development Index; EDUx: Education Index; GDPx: Income Index; HEALTHx Health Index;

MYSx: Mean Years of Schooling Index; EYSx: Expected Years of Schooling Index

App Design: A. Simoes

Concept: C.A. Hidalgo

Graphic Design: G. House, D. Landry, I. Meirelles, A. Simoes

Background Paper: Graphical Statistical Methods for the Representation of the Human Development Index and Its Components. CA Hidalgo. Human Development Research Paper 2010/39 (2010)