On Human Development Indicators

The Human Development Index (HDI) has evolved over time and Anand (2018) offers a stimulating critique of various aspects. This paper discusses Anand's critique and, in particular, offers an argument in favor of some degree of complementarity between the dimensions of human development (income, health, education), claiming that this does not undermine the priority that should be given to lives in poor countries, and that it reflects the importance of a balanced development at the societal level as well as the individual level.