Per capita income ignores inequality, as wealth may be concentrated among few people. It does not reflect health, education, or living standards. It overlooks environmental quality, social justice, and gender equality. True development requires improving overall well-being, opportunities, and human capabilities.
‘Per capita income alone is not an adequate indicator of development’. Support the statement with five valid arguments.
Share
Per capita income measures the average income per person in a country, but it does not show the full picture of development. Development is a multidimensional concept and several other factors must be considered. The following five arguments support this statement:
Per capita income gives an average figure, but it doesn’t reveal how income is distributed. A few rich people can raise the average even if most citizens remain poor.
Development also includes better education, health facilities, gender equality and political freedom—things that cannot be measured in money terms.
High income doesn’t necessarily mean a good standard of living. Factors like clean drinking water, nutritious food, housing and a pollution-free environment are equally important.
Literacy rate, infant mortality rate and life expectancy reflect the real progress of people’s well-being, which per capita income alone cannot capture.
Development should not destroy natural resources for future generations. Per capita income doesn’t consider environmental balance or sustainable growth.
Conclusion:
Therefore, per capita income is only one part of development, but a truly developed country ensures equality, education, health, environmental safety and human dignity for all citizens.