Indicators of
Development
Dr. Rosemarie Ty Frias
A pointer, it can be an
objective measurement . It can
also refer to an opinion,
perception that points to a
specific condition or situation.
It can be used to measure
changes in that condition or
situation over time.
10/27/2019 Indicators of
Development
Political indicators
Economic indicators
Social indicators
Cultural indicators
POLITICAL INDICATORS
Consensus Oriented Accountable
Transparent
Participatory
GOOD GOVERNANCE
Follows the Rule of Law
Effective & Efficient Equitable & Inclusive
Characteristics of Good Governance
Good Governance
Competent management of a country’s
resources and affairs in a manner that is open,
transparent, accountable, equitable and
responsive to people’s needs.
Eight Major Characteristics
Participatory
Consensus oriented
Accountable
Transparent
Responsive
Effective & efficient
Equitable and inclusive
Follows the rule of law
Participation
Both men and women
Either direct or through legitimate
institutions/representatives
Needs to be informed and
organized
Freedom of expression
Organized civil society
Rule of Law
Requires fair legal frameworks
that are enforced impartially
Requires full protection of
human rights (minorities)
Independent judiciary
Impartial and incorruptible
police force
Transparency
Decisions taken and their
enforcement are done in a
manner that follows rules and
regulations
Responsiveness
Institutions and processes try
to serve all stakeholders within
a reasonable timeframe.
Consensus oriented
Requires mediation of the different
interests in society – reach a broad
consensus – best interest of the whole
community. HOW?
Broad and long term perspective on what
is needed for sustainable human
development.
Equity and Inclusiveness
Ensure that all its members feel that they
have a stake in it
No one should feel excluded from the
mainstream of the society
All should have the opportunity to
improve or maintain their well being
Effectiveness and Efficiency
Process and institutions
produce results that meets
the needs of the society
while making the best use of
resources at their disposal
Sustainable use of natural
resources and the protection
of the environment
Accountability
Government, private and civil societies must be
accountable to the public and their institutional
stakeholders
Accountable to those who will be affected by its
decisions or actions
Requires transparency and rule of law
The extent of freedom enjoyed by common people in
pursuing their political convictions in a peaceful
manner , presence of democracy and human rights,
progressive elimination of oppression by the state or
one group of people by another group of people,
universal suffrage, tolerance of different viewpoints,
etc.
The political process can inhibit or
enable development.
The importance of good government
and appropriate democratic institutions
to articulate social goals
What rights should the people of a developed
country possess?
Integrity of self
Non-discrimination
Freedom of thought and
expression
Right of self
determination
SOCIAL INDICATORS
Used to assess how well is development in key
areas such as health, education and population.
2 approaches
Objective social indicators ( social facts
independent of personal evaluations)
Subjective social indicators ( based on
individuals perception and evaluation of social
conditions)
Objective social indicators :
- unemployment rate
- poverty rate
- working hours/week
- perinatal mortality rate.
Subjective social indicators
- life satisfaction
- job satisfaction
- perception of justice
- happiness
- contentment
Functions of social indicators
Provides basis for information for decision
making
Monitoring and evaluating policies
Searching for a common good and deciding
how to reach it
Population
Standard of living ( the case of Norway)
Health ( Phil. Among poorest in Asia: 1 doctor to
almost 10,000 people)
Nutritional intake
Access to medical facilities
Related industries
Health care expenditures
Employment
Education
Environment
CULTURAL INDICATORS
In all its dimensions is a fundamental
component of sustainable development.
It is a powerful contributor to economic
development, social stability and
environmental protection
A source of identity, innovation and
creativity
An evolving dynamic force relevant to all
societies, local or global.
It is rooted in a place at a moment in history
and is always local.
It is renewable resource if it is carefully
nurtured for it to grow and flourish. When
neglected, it is easily lost or destroyed.
Three indices to measure human development based
on cultural approaches ( Cultural Index of Dev’t.
According to UNRISD & UNESCO)
1. Cultural freedom index
2. Creative empowerment index
3. Cultural Dialogue Index
Assumption: the ultimate test of a particular
culture is whether it…
Fosters an expansion of human capabilities
and choice
Whether it enables people to live well
Quality of life is being able to live together.
Cultural Freedom Index
Integrity of the self ( human freedom such as freedom from
arbitrary arrest & torture)
Freedom of expression (right to express their own cultural
values; lack of censorship of books, plays, art, press,
television, radio and films)
Equality before the law (non discrimination according to race,
ethnicity, religion, class or gender)
Right to self determination (ability to freely determine their
political status and pursue their economic, social and cultural
development)
Creative Empowerment Index
Means human empowerment. Whether people are
supported to reach their full potential , freely choose
their own place and form of participation in society,
and determine their own contribution to it.
Access to the means for creative expressions, or in
terms of creative outcomes.
Cultural Dialogue Index
Basic opportunities and means for communication
among people especially among people of different
cultures.
People’s active participation in communication towards
mutual respect and common understanding.
Common Filipino Culture
Irrationalism
( fatalism, bahala na attitude)
Close family ties
Sense of debt and gratitude
( Utang na Loob)
Emphasis on authority
Personal improvement
( emphasis on education)
Ethnocentrism
Pride and Dignity
Norms of modesty
Superstitions
ECONOMIC INDICATOR ( Business Indicator)
A quantitative indicator that is used to assess
how economically developed a country is.
How wealthy a country’s people are and how
they earn that wealth.
Gross National Income
Incidence of poverty
Standards of living
Freedom in the choice of vocation
Mobility for the pursuit of gainful employment
Openness of the economy to international
trade
Incidence of corruption
Regulation of markets
Free enterprise
Life expectancy
Agriculture
Cars and telephones
Comparing countries and regions in terms
of their levels of development is a difficult
exercise. There are different views about
development and therefore different
measures of it.
One useful indicator is the human development
index (HDI) constructed by the UNDP.
The view is that while wealth (GDP) is of great
importance to development, by itself it is not a
sufficient basis for thinking about and measuring
human development because it does not capture
social progress.
Human Development s about much more than the
rise and fall of the national income.
It is about creating an environment in which
people can develop their full potential and lead
productive creative lives in accord with their
needs and interests.
People are the real wealth of nations .
Development is thus, about expanding the
choices people have to lead lives that they
value. And it is thus, about much more than
economic growth which is only a means – if a
very important one – of enlarging people’s
choices.
Thank you!
