Predicting the role of socio-economic indices for the Human Development Index based on a multivariate regression model

Abstract Background Social and economic indicators of countries at the global level can reveal both weak and strong achievements concerning specific countries on a wide range of indices. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the correlations between social and economic indicators and t...

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Main Authors: Zainab Alimoradi, Mark D. Griffiths, Mehran Alijanzadeh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-04-01
Series:Discover Public Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00587-6
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author Zainab Alimoradi
Mark D. Griffiths
Mehran Alijanzadeh
author_facet Zainab Alimoradi
Mark D. Griffiths
Mehran Alijanzadeh
author_sort Zainab Alimoradi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Social and economic indicators of countries at the global level can reveal both weak and strong achievements concerning specific countries on a wide range of indices. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the correlations between social and economic indicators and the Human Development Index (HDI), a summary composite measure of a country's average wellbeing. Methods Secondary analysis was conducted between April and July 2022. Six variables of the HDI (i.e., the Gini Coefficient Index [GCI], Multidimensional Poverty Index [MPI], Research and Development Percentage Index of gross domestic product [R&D], infant mortality rate (IMR), and Gender Development Index [GDI]) were investigated across 189 countries in six continents. Data were analyzed using a multivariate regression model. Results The average HDI in the countries of the world was equal to 0.72 (SD ± 0.14), with the highest HDI score in Europe (0.87 ± 0.06; p < .001). Europe also had the highest R&D (1.34 [SD ± 1.02]; p < .001) and GDI indicators (0.98 [SD ± 0.02]; p < .001). Africa had the highest infant mortality (41.62 [SD ± 18.93]; p < .001) and highest MPI (0.230 [SD ± 0.166]; p < .001). America had the highest GCI (44.10 [SD ± 6.27]; p < .001). Findings indicated that countries with a higher HDI had better social and economic indicators (p < .001). There was a correlation between all selected indices with the HDI. The highest (negative) correlation was observed between IMR and HDI (r = − 0.885). The multivariate regression model showed IMR and the MPI were significant predictors of HDI and explained 84.7% of variance. Conclusion The two country indicators of IMR and MPI are good predictors of a country’s HDI.
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spelling doaj-art-ed45c9b9992649d9af2a2d0c99df97d02025-08-20T02:30:20ZengSpringerDiscover Public Health3005-07742025-04-0122111110.1186/s12982-025-00587-6Predicting the role of socio-economic indices for the Human Development Index based on a multivariate regression modelZainab Alimoradi0Mark D. Griffiths1Mehran Alijanzadeh2Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical SciencesInternational Gaming Research Unit, Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent UniversitySocial Determinants of Health Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Social and economic indicators of countries at the global level can reveal both weak and strong achievements concerning specific countries on a wide range of indices. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the correlations between social and economic indicators and the Human Development Index (HDI), a summary composite measure of a country's average wellbeing. Methods Secondary analysis was conducted between April and July 2022. Six variables of the HDI (i.e., the Gini Coefficient Index [GCI], Multidimensional Poverty Index [MPI], Research and Development Percentage Index of gross domestic product [R&D], infant mortality rate (IMR), and Gender Development Index [GDI]) were investigated across 189 countries in six continents. Data were analyzed using a multivariate regression model. Results The average HDI in the countries of the world was equal to 0.72 (SD ± 0.14), with the highest HDI score in Europe (0.87 ± 0.06; p < .001). Europe also had the highest R&D (1.34 [SD ± 1.02]; p < .001) and GDI indicators (0.98 [SD ± 0.02]; p < .001). Africa had the highest infant mortality (41.62 [SD ± 18.93]; p < .001) and highest MPI (0.230 [SD ± 0.166]; p < .001). America had the highest GCI (44.10 [SD ± 6.27]; p < .001). Findings indicated that countries with a higher HDI had better social and economic indicators (p < .001). There was a correlation between all selected indices with the HDI. The highest (negative) correlation was observed between IMR and HDI (r = − 0.885). The multivariate regression model showed IMR and the MPI were significant predictors of HDI and explained 84.7% of variance. Conclusion The two country indicators of IMR and MPI are good predictors of a country’s HDI.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00587-6Human Development IndexSocio-economic indicatorsInfant mortalityMultivariate regression model
spellingShingle Zainab Alimoradi
Mark D. Griffiths
Mehran Alijanzadeh
Predicting the role of socio-economic indices for the Human Development Index based on a multivariate regression model
Discover Public Health
Human Development Index
Socio-economic indicators
Infant mortality
Multivariate regression model
title Predicting the role of socio-economic indices for the Human Development Index based on a multivariate regression model
title_full Predicting the role of socio-economic indices for the Human Development Index based on a multivariate regression model
title_fullStr Predicting the role of socio-economic indices for the Human Development Index based on a multivariate regression model
title_full_unstemmed Predicting the role of socio-economic indices for the Human Development Index based on a multivariate regression model
title_short Predicting the role of socio-economic indices for the Human Development Index based on a multivariate regression model
title_sort predicting the role of socio economic indices for the human development index based on a multivariate regression model
topic Human Development Index
Socio-economic indicators
Infant mortality
Multivariate regression model
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00587-6
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