Question

Which of these is NOT a component of the Human Development Index (HDI)?

• A. Life expectancy at age one
• B. Educational level
• C. Per capita income
• D. Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)

Hint:

HDI stands on three legs only: health, education, and income. IMR belongs to the older PQLI, not the HDI.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite score put out each year by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to rank countries on human development. We need to find the option that is not one of its building blocks.

Step 2: Key Concept:
HDI rests on three dimensions only: a long and healthy life, knowledge, and a decent standard of living. Anything outside these three has no place in the index.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
The health dimension is read from life expectancy at birth, so a life-expectancy figure belongs here.
The knowledge dimension is read from years of schooling, which is what educational level refers to.
The standard-of-living dimension is read from gross national income (GNI) per capita, which is close to per capita income.
The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) does not sit under any of these three headings. IMR is used in an older composite score, the Physical Quality of Life Index (PQLI), not the HDI.

Step 4: Final Answer:
Since IMR plays no part in the HDI formula, option (D), Infant Mortality Rate, is the one that is NOT a component of HDI.