Why Human Development

Paul Streeten, a development economist identified six reasons in favour of the human development.

The reasons are as follows:

1. The ultimate purpose of the entire exercise of development is to improve the human conditions and to enlarge people’s choice.

2. Human development is a means to higher productivity. A well nourished, healthy, educated, skilled alert labour force is the most productive asset. Therefore investments in these sectors are justified on ground of productivity.

3. It helps in reducing the rate of growth of population.

4. Human development is friendly to the physical environment also. Deforestation, desertification and soil erosion decline when poverty declines.

5. Improved living conditions and reduced poverty contribute to a healthy civil society and greater social stability.

6. Human development also helps in reducing civil disturbance in the society and in increasing political stability.