Question

Which of the following statements about the lowest-ranked country in the 2025 Human Development Index is accurate?

1. South Sudan was at the very bottom of the 2025 HDI, ranked 193rd.
2. South Sudan's HDI value for 2025 was 0.388.
3. Countries at the bottom of the HDI typically exhibit high levels of political stability and economic prosperity.

• A. ii, iii
• B. i, ii
• C. i only
• D. ii only

Answer 1

Answer:

B. i, ii

Understanding the Human Development Index (HDI)

• The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite statistical index developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to measure a country's average achievements in three basic dimensions of human development.

• It was introduced in 1990 by Pakistani economist Mahbub ul Haq, with the support of Indian Nobel laureate Amartya Sen.

• The HDI is published annually in the UNDP's Human Development Report.

Components of HDI Measurement

• The HDI measures development based on three key dimensions:

• A long and healthy life: Measured by life expectancy at birth.

• Knowledge: Measured by mean years of schooling (for adults aged 25 and above) and expected years of schooling (for children of school-entering age).

• A decent standard of living: Measured by Gross National Income (GNI) per capita (PPP $).

• HDI values range from 0 to 1, with higher values indicating a higher level of human development. Countries are typically categorized into four tiers: very high, high, medium, and low human development.

South Sudan's Position in HDI

• As consistently indicated in recent Human Development Reports, South Sudan has been one of the lowest-ranked countries globally.

• For instance, in the 2023/2024 Human Development Report (based on 2022 data), South Sudan was indeed ranked 193rd out of 193 countries, placing it at the very bottom of the index.

• Its HDI value in the same report was 0.381, which aligns closely with the 0.388 value mentioned in the question for a hypothetical "2025 HDI." Slight variations in specific values can occur due to data revisions or different reference years/projections.

• Characteristics of Low HDI Countries

• Countries at the bottom of the HDI scale, like South Sudan, typically face severe development challenges.

They are characterized by:

• Low life expectancy: Due to poor healthcare, high infant mortality, and prevalence of diseases.

• Limited access to education: Low literacy rates, fewer years of schooling, and inadequate educational infrastructure.

• Low Gross National Income (GNI) per capita: Indicating widespread poverty and economic instability.

• Political Instability and Conflict: Many low HDI countries are affected by ongoing conflicts, internal strife, and weak governance, which severely hamper development efforts. South Sudan, for example, gained independence in 2011 but has been plagued by civil war and instability.

• Fragile economic structures: Often heavily reliant on a single commodity, with limited diversification and high vulnerability to external shocks.

Relevance for Competitive Exams

• Understanding HDI is crucial for competitive exams, especially in sections related to economics, social development, and international organizations.

• Questions often test knowledge of HDI components, its purpose, top/bottom-ranked countries, and factors contributing to development disparities.

• The Kerala Model of Development, often cited for its high human development indicators (like literacy, life expectancy, and low infant mortality) despite relatively lower per capita income compared to some other Indian states, serves as an example of how investing in human capital can lead to significant HDI improvements.