Convergence in Human Development Index Across Countries:An Empirical Investigation

The concept of σ-convergence and unconditional β-convergence has been applied to the components of human development-health status (measured by average life expectancy); education status (measured by adult literacy rate); per capita gross domestic product and aggregate human development index in order to examine whether poor countries are catching up the rich or not. The results of the study indicate the presence of σ and β convergence for human development index, health status and education status. However, in case of per capita gross domestic product neither σ nor unconditional β-convergence has been observed. The presence of convergence in terms of indicators of education and health gives some hope of convergence in income also, but may take some time.