What are development indicators?

Development indicators are a method used to measure how developed a country or region is. Development indicators can then be used to compare levels of development between countries or regions.

What are economic development indicators?

Economic indicators measure development through financial and industrial means. Examples of economic development indicators include:

• GDP
• GNP
• Economic structure (the % of GDP that comes from different sectors e.g. primary, secondary and tertiary industries)

Find out about the reliability of economic indicators here.

What are social development indicators?

Social indicators measure development through non-financial and economic means. Examples of social development indicators include:

• Literacy rate
• Life expectancy
• Birth rate
• People per doctor

Find out more about how social development is measured here.