Which of the following statement (s) is true about the concept of human development?

Human development means development that enlarges people’s choices and improves their lives.

The correct answer is Option 2: Human development means development that enlarges people’s choices and improves their lives.

Statement 1: Human development was recognised as an important part of development only in the 1950s. This is incorrect. The concept gained major recognition in the late 1980s and early 1990s, particularly through the Human Development Reports.

Statement 2: Human development means development that enlarges people’s choices and improves their lives. This is correct.

Statement 3: The concept of human development was introduced by Amartya Sen. This is incorrect. The concept was introduced by Dr. Mahbub ul Haq, though it was strongly influenced by the ideas of Amartya Sen.

Statement 4: The basic goal of development is to create conditions where people can live comfortable lives. This is incorrect as the basic goal of development is to create conditions where people can live meaningful lives and not comfortable lives..

NCERT: For many decades, a country’s level of development was measured only in terms of its economic growth. This meant that the bigger the economy of the country, the more developed it was considered, even though this growth did not really mean much change in the lives of most people. The idea that the quality of life people enjoy in a country, the opportunities they have and freedoms they enjoy, are important aspects of development, is not new. These ideas were clearly spelt out for the first time in the late eighties and early nineties. The works of two South Asian economists, Mahbub-ul-Haq and Amartya Sen are important in this regard. The basic goal of development is to create conditions where people can live meaningful lives and not comfortable lives. Dr Haq has described human development as development that enlarges people’s choices and improves their lives.