Doholyan S.V., Vershinina M.A. Human development index and social well-being: a modern approach to assessing the quality of life. Regional problems of economic transformation. 2024. No. 11. Pp. 349-361.

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Abstract

Currently, traditional economic growth indicators such as gross domestic product (GDP) have long been the main indicators of a country's success. However, these measures fail to capture the full range of human experience and the multifaceted nature of well-being. The Human Development Index (HDI), introduced by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1990, addresses this shortcoming by combining three fundamental dimensions of human development: longevity and health, knowledge and education, and a decent standard of living. This three-pronged framework provides a more holistic assessment of development, reflecting the interrelationship of economic, social, and health factors that determine quality of life. The article examines the main aspects of the relationship between life expectancy and public health, measured by life expectancy at birth. We believe that these indicators are the most important indicator of the general welfare of the population. This indicator is significantly influenced by public health policy, access to healthcare, nutrition standards, and environmental factors. Advances in medical technology, improved healthcare infrastructure, and effective disease prevention programs are contributing to increased life expectancy. Consequently, countries with higher HDI rates tend to have robust health systems and healthier populations. For example, countries with broad health coverage and lower incidence of preventable diseases tend to receive higher HDI scores, illustrating the direct correlation between health indicators and human development. The article also says that knowledge and education, assessed by the average duration of study and expected duration of study, are indispensable components of human development. We assume that education expands individual abilities, promotes critical thinking, and allows people to participate fully in economic, social, and political life. A higher level of education correlates with better job prospects, higher incomes, and an improved quality of life. Moreover, education promotes social progress by promoting gender equality, reducing poverty, and fostering inclusive growth. Countries with integrated education systems that provide equal opportunities for all genders and socio-economic groups tend to show higher HDI rates, which highlights the key role of education in human development. The relevance of the HDI study lies in its ability to reflect the complexity of well-being, inform policy measures, and facilitate international comparisons, which ultimately helps to better assess the quality of life of the population.