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Measuring Human Development in a High-Income Country: A Conceptual Framework for Well-Being Indicators

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  • Francesco Burchi
  • Pasquale De Muro

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the construction of an appropriate conceptual framework for measuring human development with a focus on high-income countries. Too often, the measurement exercise is based on a purely empirical basis where indicators simply reflect data availability and “conventional wisdom”. This is likely to misguide policy-makers. We deal with two core points for the construction of a conceptual framework: (a) specification of the theoretical approach and (b) identification of the relevant categories of indicators. The paper endorses the capability approach which is the theoretical underpinning of human development. In line with this perspective, it offers a view of the relationships between key concepts such as human development, well-being, capabilities, and functionings. Based on this framework, it then tries to identify which typology of indicators is more suitable for measuring people's functionings. Building on a multidisciplinary literature, we classify indicators as input, output, outcome, and impact indicators, and conclude that outcome indicators are the best solution for measuring functionings. Finally, the paper provides examples of theoretically robust indicators and argues for a focus on more advanced functionings in high-income countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesco Burchi & Pasquale De Muro, 2016. "Measuring Human Development in a High-Income Country: A Conceptual Framework for Well-Being Indicators," Forum for Social Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 45(2-3), pages 120-138, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:fosoec:v:45:y:2016:i:2-3:p:120-138
    DOI: 10.1080/07360932.2014.995196
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ulrike Mandl & Adriaan Dierx & Fabienne Ilzkovitz, 2008. "The effectiveness and efficiency of public spending," European Economy - Economic Papers 2008 - 2015 301, Directorate General Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN), European Commission.
    2. Jeni Klugman & Francisco Rodríguez & Hyung-Jin Choi, 2011. "The HDI 2010: new controversies, old critiques," The Journal of Economic Inequality, Springer;Society for the Study of Economic Inequality, vol. 9(2), pages 249-288, June.
    3. Francesco Burchi & Pasquale De Muro, "undated". "A Human Development and Capability Approach to Food Security: Conceptual Framework and Informational Basis," UNDP Africa Policy Notes 2012-009, United Nations Development Programme, Regional Bureau for Africa.
    4. Milorad Kovacevic, 2010. "Review of HDI Critiques and Potential Improvements," Human Development Research Papers (2009 to present) HDRP-2010-33, Human Development Report Office (HDRO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
    5. Sabina Alkire, 2013. "Choosing Dimensions: The Capability Approach and Multidimensional Poverty," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Nanak Kakwani & Jacques Silber (ed.), The Many Dimensions of Poverty, chapter 6, pages 89-119, Palgrave Macmillan.
    6. Paul J. Gertler & Sebastian Martinez & Patrick Premand & Laura B. Rawlings & Christel M. J. Vermeersch, . "Impact Evaluation in Practice, First Edition [La evaluación de impacto en la práctica]," World Bank Publications, The World Bank, number 2550, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nguyen, Phuc Van & Nguyen, Phong Thanh & Huynh, Vy Dang Bich & Nguyen, Quyen Le Hoang Thuy To, 2017. "Critical Factors Affecting The Happiness: A Vietnamese Perspective," MPRA Paper 96587, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Francesco Burchi & Pasquale Muro & Eszter Kollar, 2018. "Constructing Well-Being and Poverty Dimensions on Political Grounds," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 137(2), pages 441-462, June.
    3. Francesco Burchi & Margherita Scarlato & Giorgio d'Agostino, 2018. "Addressing Food Insecurity in Sub‐Saharan Africa: The Role of Cash Transfers," Poverty & Public Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 10(4), pages 564-589, December.
    4. Francesco Burchi & Nicole Rippin & Claudio E. Montenegro, 2018. "From income poverty to multidimensional poverty—an international comparison," One Pager Arabic 400, International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth.
    5. Elisabetta Aurino & Francesco Burchi, 2017. "Children’s Multidimensional Health and Medium-Term Cognitive Skills in Low- and Middle-Income Countries," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 29(2), pages 289-311, April.
    6. Francesco Burchi & Karan Singh, 2020. "Women’s Political Representation and Educational Attainments: A District-level Analysis in India," Journal of South Asian Development, , vol. 15(1), pages 7-33, April.
    7. John Paolo Rosales Rivera, 2022. "A nonparametric approach to understanding poverty in the Philippines: Evidence from the Family Income and Expenditure Survey," Poverty & Public Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 14(3), pages 242-267, September.

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