High Human Development Index (HDI) Regions in Poor Countries: Urbanization, Economic Growth, and Social Services
While many poorer countries struggle with lower Human Development Index (HDI) scores, it is not uncommon to find regions within these countries that achieve notably high HDI levels. These regions stand out as microcosms of human development in the face of broader national challenges.
Urbanization and Economic Hub Examples
Lagos State, Nigeria: As Nigeria's economic hub, Lagos State stands out with a higher HDI compared to the national average. The state's diverse economy, coupled with better access to education and healthcare services, contributes significantly to its higher HDI levels.
Hanoi, Vietnam: Vietnam's capital city has experienced significant economic growth, leading to improved infrastructure, better education, and healthcare services. These advancements, when considered in the context of the overall national HDI, have resulted in a higher HDI score for Hanoi.
Urban Areas in Bangladesh: Cities like Dhaka and Chittagong demonstrate that even within countries with lower overall HDI scores, urban regions can achieve higher levels of development due to improved access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
Capital Regions and Economic Activities
Greater Accra Region, Ghana: This region, encompassing and including the capital city Accra, has a higher HDI due to improved access to services and economic activities. In contrast to rural areas, which receive less development, urban centers thrive.
Central Region, Sri Lanka: Areas such as Kandy, located in the Central Province, also exhibit higher HDI scores. This is largely attributed to better education and healthcare systems that support local human development.
Local Level HDI: Beyond National Averages
There are also smaller territories and local areas within poor countries that significantly surpass their national HDI averages. This phenomenon is due to targeted local development and investment. For example, in Santiago, Chile, photos and local HDI data show that even within the same city, certain districts can have significantly higher HDI scores, often as high as 30-40 points above the national average.
The high HDI districts in Santiago do not appear superfluous when compared with local data. They illustrate how economic strategies, coupled with social services, can lead to localized improvements in human development. This is particularly true for cities like Santiago, where urbanization and targeted investments in infrastructure and social services play a crucial role.
Global Context
Sri Lanka, Cuba, Uruguay, Malaysia, and Iran also showcase how smaller regions within these countries can achieve high HDI scores, driven by strategic urban development and social investment. In countries like these, the inclusion of regional HDI data is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of development patterns.
These examples from around the world underscore the importance of urbanization, economic development, and social services in driving human development. By focusing on these factors, regions can achieve higher HDI scores, even in the context of overall poverty and lower national HDI averages.
Understanding these dynamics is key for policymakers and development organizations seeking to improve human development outcomes in poorer countries. By learning from cities and regions that have succeeded in raising their HDI scores, strategies can be developed to replicate and expand these successes.
Keywords: Human Development Index (HDI), Poor Countries, Urbanization, Economic Growth, Social Services