Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/247087 
Year of Publication: 
2019
Series/Report no.: 
EHES Working Paper No. 157
Publisher: 
European Historical Economics Society (EHES), s.l.
Abstract: 
This paper provides a long run view of human development as a capabilities measure of well-being for the last one-and-a-half centuries on the basis of an augmented historical human development index [AHHDI] that combines achievements in health, education, living standard, plus liberal democracy, and provides an alternative to the UN Human Development Index, HDI. The AHHDI shows substantial gains in world human development since 1870, especially during 1913-1970, but much room for improvement exists. Life expectancy has been the leading force behind its progress, especially until 1970. Human development spread unevenly. The absolute gap between western Europe and its offshoots plus Japan -the OECD- and the Rest of the world deepened over time, though fell in relative terms, with catching-up driven by longevity during the epidemiological transition and by democratization thereafter. This result compares favourably with the growing income gap. Economic growth and human development do not always go hand-in-hand.
Subjects: 
Human Development
Well-being
Capabilities
Life Expectancy
Health Transition
Schooling
Income
Liberal Democracy
JEL: 
I00
N30
O15
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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