Read the below statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Mark the correct options:
Assertion (A): A country with high Human Development Index may still have high multidimensional poverty.
Reason (R): Human Development Index is an average and doesn’t capture intra-country inequalities.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Correct Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation
The Human Development Index (HDI) measures a country's average achievements in health, education, and income. Since it is an average index, it does not fully reflect inequalities that may exist among different regions, communities, or social groups within a country.
On the other hand, the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) measures deprivations across multiple dimensions such as health, education, and living standards. Therefore, a country may have a high HDI, but if the benefits of development are not distributed evenly, significant sections of the population may still experience high multidimensional poverty.
Hence, both the Assertion and the Reason are true, and the Reason correctly explains the Assertion.
Key Points
• HDI measures average levels of health, education, and income.
• HDI does not fully capture inequalities within a country.
• MPI assesses multiple forms of deprivation and poverty.
• A country with a high HDI can still have populations experiencing multidimensional poverty.
Additional Facts
• HDI was developed by Mahbub ul Haq.
• HDI is published by the United Nations Development Programme.
• MPI includes indicators related to health, education, and living standards.
Important Questions
Question: What are the main dimensions of the Human Development Index (HDI)?
Answer: Health, education, and income.
Question: What is the purpose of the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)?
Answer: To assess poverty based on multiple deprivations related to health, education, and living standards.