Task 1. Country Development Index

Task brief:

Key question: How can we assess a countries development status?

For this project you will create your own composite development index.

Select a range of 6 single indicators: social, environmental, and economic, to measure a country’s development status.

Note: Please don't use composite indicators such as the HDI for your index

Part 1. Index introduction

What is a development indicator and what are you trying to achieve with your index?

Part 2. Indicator choice and justification.

Select six (6) development indicators that you think provide a representative snapshot of development in a country.
For example.
Life expectancy
The infant mortality rate (per 1000 births)
The adult female literacy %
Gross National Income (GNI per capita)
GINI index
Access to improved drinking water
Define each indicator and use an example statistic/data point to explain how each indicator is useful for measuring human development.
Use an annotated visual (graph, map) example for each indicator to illustrate your justification.

Part 3. Calculating your composite index using the indicators calculator.

Download the index spreadsheet here and save to your computer: Indicators calculator.
Evaluate the importance of each indicator in determining human development and decide on the weighting (2 less important and 3 more important).
Select 6 representative countries. (5 LEDC and 1 MEDC)
Enter the country data for each indicator in the spreadsheet.

Part 4. Analyse and compare your results

Create graphs and annotate them to explain the results of your index.
How well does your new index represent development status in the selected countries?
Make five (5) recommendations for improving future index design