Registered Environmental Manager (REM) Practice Exam

What element does the HDI NOT consider in its calculation?

1. Life expectancy at birth

2. Educational attainment

3. Environmental quality

4. Gross national income per capita

The correct answer is: Environmental quality

The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite statistic used to assess the social and economic development levels of countries. It specifically incorporates three key dimensions: life expectancy at birth, educational attainment, and gross national income per capita. The HDI calculates life expectancy at birth to evaluate the health and longevity of a population, educational attainment (often measured by mean years of schooling and expected years of schooling) to assess the level of education and knowledge in a society, and gross national income per capita as an indication of economic well-being. However, environmental quality is not included in the HDI calculation. While environmental factors can significantly influence human development, the HDI does not account for such variables directly. This omission means that regions with varying environmental conditions can still achieve similar HDI scores, even if those conditions impact quality of life differently. By recognizing that environmental quality is absent from the HDI framework, it highlights a limitation in understanding human development comprehensively, as environmental factors play an essential role in overall well-being and sustainability.