Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumEconomic Growth, National Income Accounting, and Development Indicators

Arrange the following composite development indicators in the correct chronological order of their introduction in global development literature, from the earliest to the latest:

  1. 1Physical Quality of Life Index (PQLI)
  2. 2Human Development Index (HDI)
  3. 3Gender Inequality Index (GII)
  4. 4Planetary pressures-adjusted Human Development Index (PHDI)

Answer

The correct chronological sequence from earliest to latest is: Physical Quality of Life Index (1979) → Human Development Index (1990) → Gender Inequality Index (2010) → Planetary pressures-adjusted Human Development Index (2020).
The correct chronological timeline begins with PQLI in 1979, followed by HDI in 1990, GII in 2010, and PHDI in 2020.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the year of formulation for the Physical Quality of Life Index (PQLI).
PQLI was established in 1979 by Morris D. Morris.
It was created as an early composite measure aggregating infant mortality, life expectancy at age one, and basic literacy.
2
Determine the launch year of the Human Development Index (HDI).
HDI was launched in 1990 by Mahbub ul Haq and Amartya Sen under the UNDP.
It shifted focus from purely income-based growth metrics to human-centered development indicators.
3
Identify the introduction year of the Gender Inequality Index (GII).
GII was introduced in the 2010 Human Development Report.
It provided a refined framework measuring gender disparities in reproductive health, empowerment, and economic status.
4
Identify the publication year of the Planetary pressures-adjusted Human Development Index (PHDI).
PHDI was introduced in the 2020 UNDP report.
It adjusts traditional HDI to account for environmental degradation by factoring in per capita carbon emissions and material footprint.

Key Concept

Historical evolution and timeline of global development indicators
Rate this question

Topics

Economic Growth, National Income Accounting, and Development Indicators