Arizona State University (ASU) SOS110 Sustainable World Final Practice Exam

The Human Development Index (HDI) is designed to measure a country's social and economic development, incorporating not just economic factors like income but also education and health. This holistic approach provides a broader view of well-being and quality of life, acknowledging that economic prosperity alone does not fully capture a population's development status. The HDI uses three key dimensions: life expectancy at birth (a health metric), mean years of schooling and expected years of schooling (education metrics), along with Gross National Income per capita as an economic indicator.

In contrast, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) primarily focuses on the economic output of a country, missing out on crucial social aspects. The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) evaluates environmental sustainability and doesn't address education or health directly. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures inflation and the cost of living, relevant primarily to economic factors, and does not capture social indicators like health or education. Therefore, the HDI stands out as the comprehensive measure of development that includes education and health alongside economic factors.