The Gender Development Index (GDI) in human geography is a measure that reflects the differences in gender development within a country. It is an index that takes into account the disparities between men and women in terms of health, education, and income. The GDI helps to highlight the inequalities that exist between genders and provides insights into the social and economic conditions that can impact women and men differently.
The GDI is calculated based on three key dimensions: life expectancy at birth, education (measured through mean years of schooling and expected years of schooling), and gross national income (GNI) per capita. By comparing these indicators for both sexes, the GDI serves as a tool for assessing progress towards gender equality. A GDI value closer to 1 indicates a more equal distribution of development between genders, while a value lower than 1 signifies gender disparities.
Using the GDI allows policymakers, researchers, and organizations to identify areas where interventions may be needed to improve gender equity. It emphasizes the necessity of accounting for gender in development planning and evaluating the success of programs aimed at fostering equality.