Construction of Human Development Index (HDI) for districts of Karnataka based on NFHS-IV data

Abstract

Background: The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite measure of life expectancy, education

and per capita income indicators, which are used to rank countries. A country scores higher HDI when

lifespan is higher, literacy rate is higher and GDP per capita is higher.

Objective: To construct HDI for districts of Karnataka based on NFHS-IV data.

Methodology: Based on the district level NFHS-IV household data, HDI scores were calculated. The

methodology put forward by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was adopted. Health index

is measured in terms of life expectancy at birth. Education index is calculated based on adult literacy rate.

Living standard index is measured in terms of availability of resources like water, toilet, cooking fuel,

electricity, type of house and income level .The HDI is computed as the geometric mean of these three

indices.

Results: Based on the HDI scores, districts are ranked. The number of districts belonging to very high, high,

moderate and low human development are 3 (10%), 13(43.3%), 13(43.3%) and 1(3.3%) respectively. Udupi

district ranked first in terms of overall human development where as Yadgir ranked least.