What is meant by human development? What are its different approaches? Explain.

Human development can be defined as follows:

“Human development is the process of enlarging the range of people’s choices, increasing their opportunities for education, healthcare, income and empowerment and covering the full range of human choices from a sound physical environment to economic, social and political freedom.”

The following are the different approaches to human development:

a. Basic Needs Approach

b. Income Approach

c. Welfare Approach

d. Capability Approach

a. Basic Needs Approach:

The priority is given to the basic needs of human life such as food, clothing and shelter.

b. Income Approach:

In this approach, human development is directly linked to income. The higher the income, the higher is the human development level. The freedom and happiness a person enjoys depend on his income. This approach is one of the oldest approaches to human development.

c. Welfare Approach:

Welfare approach relates to the measures taken by the Government for the welfare of its citizens. This includes public facilities like sanitation, health, education and other amenities.

d. Capability Approach:

Professor Amartya Sen suggested building the capabilities of human beings by providing good education, basic healthcare facilities, and giving better access to the resources in order to improve living standard. He believes that by increasing the individual capabilities a nation can improve.

Human development not only improves the standard of living of individuals but also improves the economic development of the country.