Gender Development Index (GDI), Definition, Purpose, Importance

The Gender Development Index is an important metric for assessing gender equality within nations, offering a gender-sensitive dimension to traditional human development measures. Introduced in the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Human Development Report in 1995 alongside the Gender Empowerment Measure (GEM), the GDI was developed to complement the Human Development Index (HDI) and provide a more nuanced understanding of development through the lens of gender. While conventional indicators like GDP or per-capita income focus solely on economic output, the GDI focuses on disparities between men and women in health, education, and living standards.

Gender Development Index Definition and Purpose

The GDI is a distribution-sensitive measure that considers the impact of existing gender gaps on human development in the three main components of the HDI: health, knowledge, and living standards. Being distribution-sensitive means that the GDI does not merely reflect average well-being or wealth in a country but also examines how these benefits are distributed between men and women. Essentially, it quantifies how far a nation has progressed in closing the gender gap and highlights areas where women lag behind their male counterparts.

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GDI as a Gender-Sensitive HDI Extension

Also known as a gender-sensitive extension of the HDI, the GDI adjusts the HDI to account for inequalities between men and women. It incorporates an “inequality aversion” penalty, which reduces the HDI score in proportion to the degree of gender disparity observed in life expectancy, educational attainment, and per-capita income. Life expectancy data, for instance, typically predicts that women live longer than men by approximately five years, and the GDI accounts for this difference alongside economic disparities. Income is measured based on actual earnings rather than general economic output, making the measure more reflective of real-life gender gaps.

It is important to note that the GDI cannot function independently. It requires the HDI score for calculation. The difference between a country’s HDI and GDI provides a clearer picture of the gender gaps present in that nation. The GDI is calculated as the ratio of female to male HDI, expressed as a percentage, which directly measures the extent of gender inequality across the three core dimensions of human development.

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Gender Development Index Core Dimensions and Calculation

The GDI checks gender differences in three fundamental areas:

1. Health: Measured through life expectancy at birth, assessing the gap between male and female longevity.
2. Knowledge: Assessed via adult literacy rates and combined school enrollment at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, highlighting disparities in educational opportunities.
3. Standard of Living: Measured using estimated earned income, capturing differences in economic well-being between men and women.

By calculating female and male HDI separately using the same methodology, the GDI provides a direct measure of how women’s achievements compare with those of men. Countries are then categorized based on the absolute divergence from gender parity, considering both disparities that favor men and, in rarer cases, those that favor women. Currently, the GDI is computed for 167 countries, providing a comprehensive global view of gender equality in human development.

GDI Importance and Policy Implications

The GDI serves as an important tool for policymakers, helping identify areas where gender disparities are most pronounced and guiding the formulation of targeted interventions. It reflects how much women need to catch up with men in each dimension of human development, informing policy measures aimed at promoting equality in health, education, and economic participation. By highlighting the gender gap, the GDI encourages governments to focus not just on overall development but on equitable development that benefits all members of society.

Countries that rank high on the GDI exhibit relatively low gender inequality, whereas countries with low GDI rankings often face significant challenges in promoting gender parity. For instance, in the 2017 GDI rankings, the United States stood at 24th out of 189 countries, indicating progress but also highlighting the ongoing need for improvements in gender equality across various sectors.

Gender Development Index UPSC 

The Gender Development Index is a vital instrument for understanding and addressing gender disparities in human development. By examining differences in health, education, and economic status between men and women, it provides a clearer picture of how gender affects overall development. The GDI is not just a measurement tool, it is a guide for shaping policies and programs that aim to make sure equitable opportunities for women and men, fostering inclusive growth and sustainable development. Recognizing and addressing the gaps identified by the GDI is important for building societies where gender equality is not only an ideal but a measurable reality.