More equal than others
FOR the first time since the coronavirus pandemic’s worst years, the Philippines’ Human Development Index (HDI) rose, albeit slightly, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) says in its Human Development Report 2023/2024.
The country’s HDI of 0.710 ranked it 113th among the 193 countries the UNDP study covered in 2022, two spots up from 115th in 2021.
The HDI is a composite index measuring average achievement in three basic dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, knowledge, and a decent standard of living. For the Philippines, life expectancy at birth was at 72.2 years, expected years of schooling was at 12.8 years, and per-capita gross national income (GNI) was at $9,059.
While the improvement in the country’s HDI is encouraging, there is still a fair amount of work to be done when we consider how our neighbors are performing.
For instance, among the five original members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), the Philippines has the lowest HDI ranking. Singapore ranked ninth; Malaysia, 63rd; Thailand, 66th; and Indonesia, 112th. The Philippines also ranked lower than Brunei (55th) and Vietnam (103rd). Only Laos (139th), Myanmar (144th) and Cambodia (148th) were lower than the Philippines.
In contrast to our 72.2 years, life expectancy in the region’s top performer, Singapore, is 84.1. Singaporeans also have 16.9 expected years of schooling against our 12.8 years, and our per-capita GNI of $9,059 pales in comparison with Singapore’s $88,761. Inequality is a major concern, particularly in the Philippines. The UNDP report shows that the country’s HDI falls to 0.59 and ranks 121st when adjusted for inequality in the three basic dimensions of human development.
Inequality is perhaps most stark in incomes. By the UNDP’s calculations, the poorest 40 percent of Filipinos account for only 16.9 percent of the country’s income. The richest 10 percent account for 32.5 percent, and the richest 1 percent, 19.6 percent.
Even the measure of expected years of schooling can hide inequalities, both within and outside the country. Is a year of schooling at an exclusive school qualitatively equivalent to that in a public school? Is a year of schooling in the Philippines qualitatively equivalent to that in Singapore?
There is also the matter of gender inequality. Although we have had two female presidents, the Philippines ranks only 93rd in terms of gender equality, based on a gender inequality index (GII) of 0.388. The GII, which reflects inequality in achievement between women and men in reproductive health, empowerment and the labor market, ranges from 0, where both genders fare equally, to 1, where one gender fares as poorly as possible in all measures.
In the Philippines, only 44 percent of women older than 15 are employed, compared to 68.8 percent of men. In 2022, women held only 27.5 percent of seats in the legislature.
Dr. Selva Ramachandran, UNDP Philippines resident representative, says that beyond the progress in the region, widespread disparities and persistent structural exclusion remain. Worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic and the rising cost of living amid global crises, poverty and inequality, gender biases, and a large informal sector make it challenging for the region to remain on track to achieve the UNDP’s Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
To bring about the needed change, Ramachandran calls for three new directions in human development: “[T]o put people at the heart of development, to recalibrate growth strategies to generate more jobs while keeping within planetary bounds, and to focus relentlessly on the politics of reform and the science of delivery to turn ideas into practice.”
“In the Philippines, these new directions can foster four major transformations, [namely] a larger and faster green economic and energy transition; strengthened resilience of families and communities from shocks and disasters; accelerated innovation and digital evolution as tools to accelerating and sustaining growth; and a more future-ready governance that can help to accelerate human development,” he writes.
The Philippines can gain from decisively addressing the issues that prevent ordinary Filipinos from improving their lives through quality jobs and more secure livelihoods. A key challenge will be to tackle persistent insecurity and inequality head-on.
Doubling down on investments in education, health, and other human capital development needs will address job insecurity among Filipinos and further improve social mobility, Ramachandran adds.
“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others,” say the pigs who control the government in George Orwell’s fable of power and corrupt politics. If we are to truly move this country forward, our leaders must rid themselves of this mindset and move beyond paying lip service to equitable development.