Human Development Indicators now accessible online through Google Public Data Explorer

Human Development Indicators now accessible online through Google Public Data Explorer

Human development statistics on Google’s Public Data Explorer let web users visualize the latest HDI data for all UN member-states

United Nations, 17 May 2011—In a move to provide greater global access to key human development indicators for all countries, Google’s innovative Public Data Explorer will now feature the latest Human Development Index (HDI) figures and direct links to the extensive Human Development Report database of international development statistics.
The Public Data Explorer, available online throughout the world in Google Labs, has for the first time incorporated all the key statistical indicators from the Human Development Report, including the HDI, an annual composite national measure of health, education and income introduced in the first Human Development Report 21 years ago.
The Google Public Data Explorer enables users to view a wide range of international development statistics, and then graph and contrast different sets of figures. Anyone with Internet access can now readily compare the HDI performance of (for example) China, Egypt, India, Norway, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Sudan, Tunisia and the United States, graph the results, and share their newly created charts and maps with friends by email.

Motion Chart view of HDI data		Google map overlay of HDI data
Trends view of HDI country data		2010 HDI distribution chart

The Human Development Report, an editorially independent publication commissioned by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is widely recognized for its innovative approaches to assessing national and global development progress. This new collaboration with Google is intended to broaden international support for a people-centred rather than purely economic approach to development, with schooling or life expectancy considered as important a measure of national achievement as income growth.
“Making this information more accessible  through Google gives Internet users everywhere a compelling new way to see the trends and patterns in  human development today and over time,” said Jeni Klugman, director of UNDP’s Human Development Report office. “This brings the HDI graphically to life.”
Along with the HDI, the Human Development Report’s database features other innovative development indices, including the Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index, the Gender Inequality Index, and the Multidimensional Poverty Index – all of which are now accessible through the Public Data Explorer.
The Human Development Report utilizes the most recent statistics available from such specialized international data providers as UNESCO, UN DESA, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.  The current database of key human development indicators was compiled for the 2010 Human Development Report. The entire database will be updated annually in the Public Data Explorer and on the Human Development Report website.
Google offers data providers the ability to embed the Public Data Explorer tool on third party sites, and the Human Development Report website is the first to take advantage of this feature: http://hdr.undp.org/en/data/explorer/.