Gender Development Index (GDI): Measures, Categories

The Gender Development Index (GDI) is a metric used by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to measure gender equality within a country. It is part of the Human Development Index (HDI) framework and reflects disparities between men and women in three key dimensions:

1. Gender Development Index GDI

2. Introduction Origins : The Gender Development Index (GDI) was introduced in the 1995 Human Development Report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It was developed to address the disparities between men and women in human development achievements.

3. GDI measures gender inequalities in achievement in three basic dimensions of human development Health, measured by female and male life expectancy at birth; Education, measured by female and male expected years of schooling for children and female and male mean years of schooling for adults ages 25 years and older; and command over economic resources, measured by female and male estimated earned income.

4. Purpose : The GDI aims to measure gender gaps in human development achievements by accounting for disparities in life expectancy, education, and income between men and women. It highlights gender inequality and encourages policymakers to address these disparities.

5. Measuring the Gender Development Index (GDI) The GDI uses the same dimensions as the Human Development Index (HDI), but it adjusts them to reflect gender disparities. The three dimensions are: Health : Measured by life expectancy at birth for both males and females Education : Measured by the mean years of schooling for adults aged 25 and older and the expected years of schooling for children entering school, for both males and females. Standard of Living : Measured by estimated earned income for both males and females.

6. Calculation of the GDI Calculating Male and Female HDI : Separate HDI values are calculated for males and females using the same method as the HDI but with gender-disaggregated data for life expectancy, education, and income. GDI Formula : The GDI is then calculated as the ratio of the female HDI to the male HDI.  

7. Categories of the Gender Development Index (GDI) GDI = 1: Indicates perfect gender parity in human development achievements. Both males and females have equal outcomes in life expectancy, education, and income. GDI < 1 : Indicates gender disparity favoring males. The closer the GDI is to 1, the smaller the gender gap. The further the GDI is from 1, the larger the gender disparity, with males having higher achievements in life expectancy, education, and income.

8. Continue… GDI > 1 : Although rare, a GDI greater than 1 would indicate gender disparity favoring females. This means females have higher achievements in life expectancy, education, and income compared to males.

9. Evolution and Related Indices Gender Inequality Index (GII) : In 2010, the UNDP introduced the Gender Inequality Index (GII) to provide a more comprehensive measure of gender inequality. The GII considers reproductive health, empowerment, and labor market participation, offering a broader view of gender disparities. Complementary Indices : The GDI remains an important measure alongside other indices like the HDI and GII, providing a focused assessment of gender disparities in human development achievements.