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 address the question of comparing GDP and HDI rankings, let's analyze the table in detail.

The table displays the rankings of different countries based on their Total GDP (out of 187 countries) and their Human Development Index (HDI) (also out of 187 countries).

Here are the specifics:

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
Upon reviewing the data:

- United States: High GDP ranking (1) and high HDI ranking (3)
- China: High GDP ranking (2) but very low HDI ranking (101)
- Japan: High GDP ranking (3) and high HDI ranking (10)
- India: Relatively high GDP ranking (10) but quite low HDI ranking (136)
- Norway: Moderate GDP ranking (23) but the highest HDI ranking (1)
- Afghanistan: Low GDP ranking (105) and very low HDI ranking (175)
- Barbados: Very low GDP ranking (153) but moderate HDI ranking (38)

### Conclusion
From this data, we can observe that countries with high GDP rankings do not necessarily have high HDI rankings. For instance, China, with the second-highest GDP ranking, has a very low HDI ranking of 101. Conversely, Norway, with a moderate GDP ranking of 23, has the highest HDI ranking. This indicates that a country's economic output (as suggested by GDP) doesn't always correlate with the quality of life and human development (as suggested by HDI).

Thus, the best conclusion drawn from this data is:

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

This conclusion is supported by looking at individual cases such as China and Norway, reflecting that high GDP doesn’t always mean high HDI, and vice versa.