The table compares the GDP and HDI rankings of countries.

\begin{tabular}{|l|l|l|}
\hline Country & Total GDP ranking (out of 187) & HDI ranking (out of 187) \\
\hline United States & 1 & 3 \\
\hline China & 2 & 101 \\
\hline Japan & 3 & 10 \\
\hline India & 10 & 136 \\
\hline Norway & 23 & 1 \\
\hline Afghanistan & 105 & 175 \\
\hline Barbados & 153 & 38 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}

In comparing GDP and HDI rankings, what is the best conclusion that can be drawn?

A. Economic development does not necessarily provide a high standard of living.
B. GDP has little influence on gross national income (GNI) and, thus, the HDI.
C. GDP and HDI measures have little relation to one another.
D. Human development does not necessarily help economic development.



Answer :

To analyze the relationship between GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and HDI (Human Development Index) based on the given data, let's look closely at the rankings of each country:

1. United States:
- GDP Ranking: 1
- HDI Ranking: 3

2. China:
- GDP Ranking: 2
- HDI Ranking: 101

3. Japan:
- GDP Ranking: 3
- HDI Ranking: 10

4. India:
- GDP Ranking: 10
- HDI Ranking: 136

5. Norway:
- GDP Ranking: 23
- HDI Ranking: 1

6. Afghanistan:
- GDP Ranking: 105
- HDI Ranking: 175

7. Barbados:
- GDP Ranking: 153
- HDI Ranking: 38

### Analysis:

- United States: This country has both a high GDP ranking (1) and a high HDI ranking (3). This indicates a correlation between high GDP and high standard of living.

- China: Despite having the second-highest GDP ranking (2), China's HDI ranking is relatively low (101). This suggests that high GDP alone does not guarantee a high standard of living.

- Japan: Japan has a high GDP ranking (3) and a high HDI ranking (10), similar to the United States, showing a positive correlation in this case.

- India: India’s GDP ranking is 10, but its HDI ranking is quite low at 136, further supporting the observation seen with China.

- Norway: Norway has a moderate GDP ranking (23) but the highest HDI ranking (1). This highlights that even with a moderately high GDP, it is possible to achieve the highest standards of living.

- Afghanistan: This country has both low GDP (105) and low HDI (175) rankings, indicating a correlation between low GDP and low standard of living.

- Barbados: Barbados has a significantly lower GDP ranking (153), but a mid-range HDI ranking (38), showing that a lower GDP does not necessarily equate to a very low standard of living.

### Conclusion:

From the analysis of the data, it becomes apparent that:

- Countries with high GDP do not always have a high HDI.
- Conversely, some countries with moderate to low GDP rankings can have relatively higher HDI rankings.

Thus, the best conclusion that can be drawn is:

Economic development does not necessarily provide a high standard of living.