清。种 1 Overview Work for human development Human development is about enlarging human choices-focusing on the richness of human lives rather than simply the richness of economies (see infographic).Critical to this process is work,which engages people all over the world in different ways and takes up a major part of their lives.Of the world's 7.3 billion people,3.2 billion are in jobs,and others engage in care work,creative work,voluntary work or other kinds of work or are preparing themselves as future workers.Some of this work contributes to human development,and some does not.Some work even damages human development(figure 1). Work enables people to earn a livelihood and The Report concludes that work can en- be economically secure.It is critical for equi- hance human development when policies ex- table economic growth,poverty reduction and pand productive,remunerative and satisfying gender equality.It also allows people to fully work opportunities,enhance workers'skills participate in society while affording them a and potential and ensure their rights,safety sense of dignity and worth.Work can contrib- and well-being.The Report also pursues an ac- ute to the public good,and work that involves tion agenda based on a New Social Contract, caring for others builds cohesion and bonds a Global Deal and the Decent Work Agenda. within families and communities. Work also strengthens societies.Human beings working together not only increase ma- People are the real wealth terial well-being,they also accumulate a wide of nations,and human body of knowledge that is the basis for cultures development focuses on and civilizations.And when all this work is enlarging people's choices environmentally friendly,the benefits extend across generations.Ultimately,work unleashes Twenty-five years ago the first Human human potential,human creativity and the Development Report presented the concept human spirit. of human development,a simple notion with This year's Human Development Report far-reaching implications.For too long,the Human development explores how work can enhance human world had been preoccupied with material development,given that the world of work opulence,pushing people to the periphery. focuses on the is changing fast and that substantial human The human development framework,taking a richness of human lives development challenges remain.The Report people-centred approach,changed the lens for takes a broad view of work,including volun- viewing development needs,bringing the lives tary work and creative work,thus going be- of people to the forefront. yond jobs.And it examines the link between It emphasized that the true aim of develop- work and human development,focusing on ment is not only to boost incomes,but also care work as well as paid work and discussing to maximize human choices-by enhancing sustainable work. human rights,freedoms,capabilities and The Report also makes the points that the opportunities and by enabling people to lead link between work and human development long,healthy and creative lives(box 1). is not automatic and that some work,such as The human development concept is com- forced labour,can damage human develop- plemented with a measure-the Human ment by violating human rights,shattering Development Index (HDI)-that assesses human dignity and sacrificing freedom and human well-being from a broad perspective, autonomy.And without proper policies, going beyond income(box 2). work's unequal opportunities and rewards can With this simple but powerful notion of be divisive,perpetuating inequities in society. people-centred development,nearly two Overview 1
Human development focuses on the richness of human lives Overview Work for human development Human development is about enlarging human choices—focusing on the richness of human lives rather than simply the richness of economies (see infographic). Critical to this process is work, which engages people all over the world in different ways and takes up a major part of their lives. Of the world’s 7.3 billion people, 3.2 billion are in jobs, and others engage in care work, creative work, voluntary work or other kinds of work or are preparing themselves as future workers. Some of this work contributes to human development, and some does not. Some work even damages human development (figure 1). Work enables people to earn a livelihood and be economically secure. It is critical for equitable economic growth, poverty reduction and gender equality. It also allows people to fully participate in society while affording them a sense of dignity and worth. Work can contribute to the public good, and work that involves caring for others builds cohesion and bonds within families and communities. Work also strengthens societies. Human beings working together not only increase material well-being, they also accumulate a wide body of knowledge that is the basis for cultures and civilizations. And when all this work is environmentally friendly, the benefits extend across generations. Ultimately, work unleashes human potential, human creativity and the human spirit. This year’s Human Development Report explores how work can enhance human development, given that the world of work is changing fast and that substantial human development challenges remain. The Report takes a broad view of work, including voluntary work and creative work, thus going beyond jobs. And it examines the link between work and human development, focusing on care work as well as paid work and discussing sustainable work. The Report also makes the points that the link between work and human development is not automatic and that some work, such as forced labour, can damage human development by violating human rights, shattering human dignity and sacrificing freedom and autonomy. And without proper policies, work’s unequal opportunities and rewards can be divisive, perpetuating inequities in society. The Report concludes that work can enhance human development when policies expand productive, remunerative and satisfying work opportunities, enhance workers’ skills and potential and ensure their rights, safety and well-being. The Report also pursues an action agenda based on a New Social Contract, a Global Deal and the Decent Work Agenda. People are the real wealth of nations, and human development focuses on enlarging people’s choices Twenty-five years ago the first Human Development Report presented the concept of human development, a simple notion with far-reaching implications. For too long, the world had been preoccupied with material opulence, pushing people to the periphery. The human development framework, taking a people-centred approach, changed the lens for viewing development needs, bringing the lives of people to the forefront. It emphasized that the true aim of development is not only to boost incomes, but also to maximize human choices—by enhancing human rights, freedoms, capabilities and opportunities and by enabling people to lead long, healthy and creative lives (box 1). The human development concept is complemented with a measure—the Human Development Index (HDI)—that assesses human well-being from a broad perspective, going beyond income (box 2). With this simple but powerful notion of people-centred development, nearly two Overview | 1
FIGURE 1 Work engages people all over the world in different ways Sufficient pension No per Not in early Child labou Older t边an64 582 million e赠 Employednonpoor In school What 7.3 billion people do Forced labour Forcibly displaced Unemployed Working poor Work unleashes human potential, human creativity and human spirit Thwarting human potential Enabling human potential What it means for human development Source:Human Development Report Office. BOX1 Human development-a comprehensive approach Human development is a process of enlarging people's Human development is development of the people choices-as they acquire more capabilities and enjoy through building human capabilities,for the people by more opportunities to use those capabilities.But hu- improving their lives and by the people through active man development is also the objective,so it is both a participation in the processes that shape their lives.It process and an outcome.Human development implies is broader than other approaches,such as the human that people must influence the process that shapes their resource approach,the basic needs approach and the lives.In all this,economic growth is an important means human welfare approach. to human development,but not the goal. Source:Human Development Report Office. 2 HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015
Work unleashes human potential, human creativity and human spirit BOX 1 Human development—a comprehensive approach Human development is a process of enlarging people’s choices—as they acquire more capabilities and enjoy more opportunities to use those capabilities. But human development is also the objective, so it is both a process and an outcome. Human development implies that people must influence the process that shapes their lives. In all this, economic growth is an important means to human development, but not the goal. Human development is development of the people through building human capabilities, for the people by improving their lives and by the people through active participation in the processes that shape their lives. It is broader than other approaches, such as the human resource approach, the basic needs approach and the human welfare approach. Source: Human Development Report Office. FIGURE 1 Work engages people all over the world in different ways Child labour Forced labour Sufficient pension Insufficient pension No pension Not in early In school Forcibly displaced Unemployed Working poor (less than $2 a day) Unpaid care workers Employed nonpoor Students Working-age population 4( 8. bill oi n) Chi dl ren (1.9 billion) What 7.3 billion people do Thwarting human potential Enabling human potential What it means for human development childhood education Older than 64 (582 million) Source: Human Development Report Office. 2 | HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015
BOX2 to the development discourse,assessed de- velopment results,spurred research and in- Measuring human development novative thinking and recommended policy options. The Human Development Index(HDI)is a composite index focusing on three basic dimensions of human development:to lead a long and healthy life.mea- sured by life expectancy at birth;the ability to acquire Work,not just jobs,contributes knowledge,measured by mean years of schooling to human progress and and expected years of schooling:and the ability to enhances human development achieve a decent standard of living,measured by gross national income per capita.The HDI has an up- From a human development perspective,the per limit of 1.0. notion of work is broader and deeper than that The notion of work is To measure human development more com- of jobs or employment alone.Jobs provide in- prehensively.the Human Development Report also come and support human dignity,participation broader and deeper presents four other composite indices.The Inequality- and economic security.But the jobs framework than that of jobs adjusted HDI discounts the HDI according to the ex- fails to capture many kinds of work that have tent of inequality.The Gender Development Index compares female and male HDI values.The Gender important human development implications -as with care work,voluntary work and such Inequality Index highlights women's empowerment. And the Multidimensional Poverty Index measures creative work as writing or painting. nonincome dimensions of poverty. The link between work and human devel- opment is synergistic.Work enhances human Source:Human Development Report Office development by providing incomes and live- lihoods,by reducing poverty and by ensuring dozen global Human Development Reports equitable growth.Human development-by and more than 700 national Human enhancing health,knowledge,skills and Development Reports have been produced awareness-increases human capital and over the past 25 years.They have contributed broadens opportunities and choices(figure 2). FIGURE 2 Work and human development are synergistic Work Better health Income and livelihood Better knowledge Security and skills Women's empowerment Awareness Human capital Participation and voice Opportunities Dignity and recognition Choice Creativity and innovatio mndevelopmet Source:Human Development Report Office. Overview3
The notion of work is broader and deeper than that of jobs dozen global Human Development Reports and more than 700 national Human Development Reports have been produced over the past 25 years. They have contributed to the development discourse, assessed development results, spurred research and innovative thinking and recommended policy options. Work, not just jobs, contributes to human progress and enhances human development From a human development perspective, the notion of work is broader and deeper than that of jobs or employment alone. Jobs provide income and support human dignity, participation and economic security. But the jobs framework fails to capture many kinds of work that have important human development implications —as with care work, voluntary work and such creative work as writing or painting. The link between work and human development is synergistic. Work enhances human development by providing incomes and livelihoods, by reducing poverty and by ensuring equitable growth. Human development—by enhancing health, knowledge, skills and awareness—increases human capital and broadens opportunities and choices (figure 2). FIGURE 2 Work and human development are synergistic Work Better health Better knowledge and skills Awareness Human capital Opportunities Choice Income and livelihood Security Women’s empowerment Participation and voice Dignity and recognition Creativity and innovation Human development Source: Human Development Report Office. BOX 2 Measuring human development The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite index focusing on three basic dimensions of human development: to lead a long and healthy life, measured by life expectancy at birth; the ability to acquire knowledge, measured by mean years of schooling and expected years of schooling; and the ability to achieve a decent standard of living, measured by gross national income per capita. The HDI has an upper limit of 1.0. To measure human development more comprehensively, the Human Development Report also presents four other composite indices. The Inequalityadjusted HDI discounts the HDI according to the extent of inequality. The Gender Development Index compares female and male HDI values. The Gender Inequality Index highlights women’s empowerment. And the Multidimensional Poverty Index measures nonincome dimensions of poverty. Source: Human Development Report Office. Overview | 3
Since 1990 the world has made major strides capabilities.Work by artists,musicians and in human development.The global HDI value writers is enriching human lives.More than has increased by more than a quarter and that 970 million people who engage in volunteer of the least developed countries by more than activity each year are helping families and half.This progress has been fairly steady over communities,building social networks and time and across regions.The number of people contributing to social cohesion. living in low human development fell from 3 billion in 1990 to slightly more than I billion in 2014 (see table 8 in Statistical annex). Yet human progress has been Today,people are living longer,more chil- uneven,human deprivations dren are going to school and more people have are still widespread and much access to clean water and basic sanitation.This human potential remains unused progress goes hand in hand with rising incomes, producing the highest standards of living in hu- Human development has been uneven among man history.A digital revolution now connects regions,across countries and within countries. people across societies and countries.Just as In 2014 Latin America and the Caribbean's important,political developments are enabling HDI value was 0.748,compared with 0.686 more people than ever to live under democratic in the Arab States.And the maternal mortality regimes.All are important facets of human ratio was only 21 per 100,000 live births in development. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Between 1990 and 2015 income poverty in Development countries,compared with 183 in developing country regions fell by more than South Asia (see table 5 in Statistical annex). two-thirds.The number ofextreme poor people Globally women earn 24 percent less than worldwide fell from 1.9 billion to 836 million. men and hold only 25 percent of administra- The child mortality rate fell by more than half, tive and managerial positions in the business and under-five deaths fell from 12.7 million to world-while 32 percent of businesses have 6 million.More than 2.6 billion people gained no women in senior management positions. access to an improved source of drinking water, Women still hold only 22 percent of seats in The number of people and 2.1 billion gained access to improved sani-single or lower houses of national parliament. tation facilities,even as the world's population In Malaysia the richest 10 percent of the living in low human rose from 5.3 billion to 7.3 billion. population had 32 percent of national in- development fell by Work in various forms by 7.3 billion people come in 2012,the poorest 10 percent of the nearly 2 billion has contributed to this progress.Nearly a bil-population had only 2 percent.In Moldova lion people who work in agriculture and more 69 percent of urban people have access to safe than 500 million family farms produce more drinking water,compared with only 23 per- than 80 percent of the world's food,improving cent of rural people. nutrition and health.Worldwide,80 million Added to the uneven human development workers in health and education have enhanced achievements are widespread human depriva- human capabilities.More than a billion work- tions.Worldwide 795 million people suffer ers in services have contributed to human from chronic hunger,11 children under age progress.In China and India 23 million jobs 5 die every minute and 33 mothers die every in clean energy are increasing environmental hour.About 37 million people live with HIV sustainability. and 1I million with tuberculosis. Work has a societal value that goes beyond More than 660 million people use an un- the gains of individual workers.More than improved source of drinking water,2.4 billion 450 million entrepreneurs are contributing to people use an unimproved sanitation facility human innovation and creativity.Some 53 mil- and nearly a billion people resort to open lion paid domestic workers are addressing the defecation. care needs of people.Care work for children Worldwide 780 million adults and 103 mil- is preparing them for the future.Work that lion young people (ages 15-24)are illiterate. involves caring for older people or people with In developed countries 160 million people are disabilities is helping them maintain their functionally illiterate.Globally 250 million 4 HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015
The number of people living in low human development fell by nearly 2 billion Since 1990 the world has made major strides in human development. The global HDI value has increased by more than a quarter and that of the least developed countries by more than half. This progress has been fairly steady over time and across regions. The number of people living in low human development fell from 3 billion in 1990 to slightly more than 1 billion in 2014 (see table 8 in Statistical annex). Today, people are living longer, more children are going to school and more people have access to clean water and basic sanitation. This progress goes hand in hand with rising incomes, producing the highest standards of living in human history. A digital revolution now connects people across societies and countries. Just as important, political developments are enabling more people than ever to live under democratic regimes. All are important facets of human development. Between 1990 and 2015 income poverty in developing country regions fell by more than two-thirds. The number of extreme poor people worldwide fell from 1.9 billion to 836 million. The child mortality rate fell by more than half, and under-five deaths fell from 12.7 million to 6 million. More than 2.6 billion people gained access to an improved source of drinking water, and 2.1 billion gained access to improved sanitation facilities, even as the world’s population rose from 5.3 billion to 7.3 billion. Work in various forms by 7.3 billion people has contributed to this progress. Nearly a billion people who work in agriculture and more than 500 million family farms produce more than 80 percent of the world’s food, improving nutrition and health. Worldwide, 80 million workers in health and education have enhanced human capabilities. More than a billion workers in services have contributed to human progress. In China and India 23 million jobs in clean energy are increasing environmental sustainability. Work has a societal value that goes beyond the gains of individual workers. More than 450 million entrepreneurs are contributing to human innovation and creativity. Some 53 million paid domestic workers are addressing the care needs of people. Care work for children is preparing them for the future. Work that involves caring for older people or people with disabilities is helping them maintain their capabilities. Work by artists, musicians and writers is enriching human lives. More than 970 million people who engage in volunteer activity each year are helping families and communities, building social networks and contributing to social cohesion. Yet human progress has been uneven, human deprivations are still widespread and much human potential remains unused Human development has been uneven among regions, across countries and within countries. In 2014 Latin America and the Caribbean’s HDI value was 0.748, compared with 0.686 in the Arab States. And the maternal mortality ratio was only 21 per 100,000 live births in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries, compared with 183 in South Asia (see table 5 in Statistical annex). Globally women earn 24 percent less than men and hold only 25 percent of administrative and managerial positions in the business world—while 32 percent of businesses have no women in senior management positions. Women still hold only 22 percent of seats in single or lower houses of national parliament. In Malaysia the richest 10 percent of the population had 32 percent of national income in 2012, the poorest 10 percent of the population had only 2 percent. In Moldova 69 percent of urban people have access to safe drinking water, compared with only 23 percent of rural people. Added to the uneven human development achievements are widespread human deprivations. Worldwide 795 million people suffer from chronic hunger, 11 children under age 5 die every minute and 33 mothers die every hour. About 37 million people live with HIV and 11 million with tuberculosis. More than 660 million people use an unimproved source of drinking water, 2.4 billion people use an unimproved sanitation facility and nearly a billion people resort to open defecation. Worldwide 780 million adults and 103 million young people (ages 15–24) are illiterate. In developed countries 160 million people are functionally illiterate. Globally 250 million 4 | HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015
children have not learned basic skills-even and financial crises and by food and energy though 130 million of them have spent at least insecurities.For example,noncommunicable four years in school. (or chronic)diseases are now a global health One critical human deprivation is not using, risk,killing 38 million people each year,almost misusing or underusing the deep human poten- three-quarters of them(28 million)in low-and Worldwide,11 children tial of people for human development-enhanc- middle-income countries.Almost 30 percent ing work.In 2015,204 million people were out (2.1 billion)of the world's people are obese, under age 5 die every of work,including 74 million young people- more than three-fifths of them in developing minute,and 33 mothers based on formal unemployment data.About country regions. die every hour 830 million people in the world are working Around the world communities are becom- poor-living on less than $2 a day-and more ing more vulnerable to the effects of climate than 1.5 billion are in vulnerable employment, change,including the loss of biodiversity-the usually lacking decent working conditions and lifeline of many poor communities.Around adequate voice and social security. 1.3 billion people live on fragile lands.Millions Unleashing this potential becomes even are affected by natural disasters. more important when considering the emerg- ing human development challenges. Take the rising inequalities in income,wealth Work can enhance human and opportunity.Today around 80 percent of development,but some work the world's people have only 6 percent of the damages it-the link between world's wealth.The share of the richest 1 per- the two is not automatic cent is likely to be more than 50 percent by 2016.In the world of work,wages lag behind The link between work and human devel- productivity,and workers'shares in income opment is not automatic.It depends on the have been falling. quality of work,the conditions of work,the Population growth,driven mostly by South societal value of work and so on.Whether peo- Asia and increasingly by Sub-Saharan Africa, ple have a job is important,as are other issues. will have major implications for human For example:Is work safe?Are people fulfilled development-for work opportunities,the and satisfied by their work?Are there prospects care gap between care needs and care providers for advancement?Does employment support and the provision of social protection.Recent a flexible work-life balance?Are there equal estimates indicate that there is a global shortage opportunities for women and men? of 13.6 million care workers,causing extreme The quality of work also includes whether a deficits in long-term care services for those job provides dignity and a sense of pride and over age 65.Greater longevity,ageing,the whether it facilitates participation and inter- youth bulge and dependency ratios will all have action.To strengthen the link with human impacts.In 2050 more than two-thirds of the development,work also has to enhance envi- world's population-or 6.2 billion people-are ronmental sustainability.Work strengthens its expected to live in urban areas,stressing the link with human development when it goes coping capacities of cities. beyond individual benefits to contribute to Human security is under threat from many shared social objectives,such as poverty and sources.At the end of 2014,60 million people inequality reduction,social cohesion,culture had been displaced worldwide.Between 2000 and civilization. and 2013 the cumulative death tolls from glob- Conversely,the value of work is diminished al and national violent extremism rose more and its link with human development becomes than fivefold,from 3,361 to 17,958.Violence weaker when there is discrimination and vio- against women is one of the most brutal threats lence at work.The most observable discrimina- to human development.One in three women tion is alonggender lines-in positions,pay and has been subject to physical or sexual violence. treatment.In the United States female financial Human development is undermined by mul- specialists'salaries are only 66 percent of their tiple shocks,vulnerabilities and risks-by epi- male counterparts.But discrimination also demics,by emerging health risks,by economic occurs along lines of race,ethnicity,disability Overview5
Worldwide, 11 children under age 5 die every minute, and 33 mothers die every hour children have not learned basic skills—even though 130 million of them have spent at least four years in school. One critical human deprivation is not using, misusing or underusing the deep human potential of people for human development–enhancing work. In 2015, 204 million people were out of work, including 74 million young people— based on formal unemployment data. About 830 million people in the world are working poor—living on less than $2 a day—and more than 1.5 billion are in vulnerable employment, usually lacking decent working conditions and adequate voice and social security. Unleashing this potential becomes even more important when considering the emerging human development challenges. Take the rising inequalities in income, wealth and opportunity. Today around 80 percent of the world’s people have only 6 percent of the world’s wealth. The share of the richest 1 percent is likely to be more than 50 percent by 2016. In the world of work, wages lag behind productivity, and workers’ shares in income have been falling. Population growth, driven mostly by South Asia and increasingly by Sub-Saharan Africa, will have major implications for human development—for work opportunities, the care gap between care needs and care providers and the provision of social protection. Recent estimates indicate that there is a global shortage of 13.6 million care workers, causing extreme deficits in long-term care services for those over age 65. Greater longevity, ageing, the youth bulge and dependency ratios will all have impacts. In 2050 more than two-thirds of the world’s population—or 6.2 billion people—are expected to live in urban areas, stressing the coping capacities of cities. Human security is under threat from many sources. At the end of 2014, 60 million people had been displaced worldwide. Between 2000 and 2013 the cumulative death tolls from global and national violent extremism rose more than fivefold, from 3,361 to 17,958. Violence against women is one of the most brutal threats to human development. One in three women has been subject to physical or sexual violence. Human development is undermined by multiple shocks, vulnerabilities and risks—by epidemics, by emerging health risks, by economic and financial crises and by food and energy insecurities. For example, noncommunicable (or chronic) diseases are now a global health risk, killing 38 million people each year, almost three-quarters of them (28 million) in low- and middle-income countries. Almost 30 percent (2.1 billion) of the world’s people are obese, more than three-fifths of them in developing country regions. Around the world communities are becoming more vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including the loss of biodiversity—the lifeline of many poor communities. Around 1.3 billion people live on fragile lands. Millions are affected by natural disasters. Work can enhance human development, but some work damages it—the link between the two is not automatic The link between work and human development is not automatic. It depends on the quality of work, the conditions of work, the societal value of work and so on. Whether people have a job is important, as are other issues. For example: Is work safe? Are people fulfilled and satisfied by their work? Are there prospects for advancement? Does employment support a flexible work–life balance? Are there equal opportunities for women and men? The quality of work also includes whether a job provides dignity and a sense of pride and whether it facilitates participation and interaction. To strengthen the link with human development, work also has to enhance environmental sustainability. Work strengthens its link with human development when it goes beyond individual benefits to contribute to shared social objectives, such as poverty and inequality reduction, social cohesion, culture and civilization. Conversely, the value of work is diminished and its link with human development becomes weaker when there is discrimination and violence at work. The most observable discrimination is along gender lines—in positions, pay and treatment. In the United States female financial specialists’ salaries are only 66 percent of their male counterparts’. But discrimination also occurs along lines of race, ethnicity, disability Overview | 5