Niger Delta Human Development Report - UNDP Nigeria - United ...

1.4 Interpolation for Missing Data
The data acquisition strategy for this report involved strenuous efforts to obtain figures
from state and local government offices to fill gaps. All state capitals and local government
headquarters were visited during the study. When there was no data even for the selected
surrogates, standard interpolation techniques made it possible to obtain robust estimates
for the missing data, with little bias and an appreciable level of accuracy.
There are numerous standard interpolation techniques. Some, such as the moving average
models, provide estimates by averaging the scores of selected neighbours. This method
requires an objective way of selecting the appropriate number of neighbours, however.
Other techniques, such as the trend surface model, use all the data points available. With
this method, the problem of the number of neighbours does not arise. This report uses a
combination of methods.
TECHNICAL NOTE 2: CALCULATING THE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
INDICES (ADAPTED FROM UNDP 2003)
2.1 The Human Development Index (HDI)
The HDI is a summary measure of human development. Within the context of this
report, it measures the average achievements in the Niger Delta region, its constituent nine
states and 185 local government areas in three basic dimensions of human development:
i. A long and healthy life, as measured by life expectancy at birth
ii. Knowledge, as measured by the adult literacy rate (with two-thirds weight)
and the combined primary, secondary and tertiary gross enrolment ratio (with
one-third weight)
iii. A decent standard of living, as measured by GDP per capital (PPPUS$)
Before the HDI itself is calculated, an index needs to be created for each of these
dimensions. To calculate these dimension indices—the life expectancy, education and GDP
indices—minimum and maximum values (goal-posts) are chosen for each underlying
indicator.
Performance in each dimension is expressed as a value between 0 and 1 by applying the
following general formula.
Dimension index = actual value – maximum value
maximum value – minimum value
The HDI is then calculated as a simple average of the dimension indices.
Goalposts for calculating the HDI: This report maintains the goalposts computed for the
global Human Development Report in order to compare the results with other parts of
the world where oil is major natural resource base. Given the level of resources generated
from the region, it should rank as one of the best areas in the world in the three dimensions
of human advancement.
Maximum Minimum
Indicator Value Value
Life expectancy at birth (years) 85 25
Adult literacy rate (%) 100 0
Combined gross enrolment ratio (%) 100 0
GDP per capita (PPP US$) 40,000 100
NIGER DELTA HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT
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