Investigating the Impact of the Human Development Index on the Quality of the Environment in Member Countries of the Asian Productivity Organization
Authors
1
Professor in Agricultural Economics Department of Sari University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Sari, Iran.
2
Assistant professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, Sari University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Sari, Iran.
3
PhD in Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Economics Department of Sari University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Sari, Iran.
4
Msc. Student, Department of Agricultural Economics, Sari University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Sari, Iran.
10.22034/eiat.2025.230835
Abstract
The goal of every country and society is to achieve greater prosperity, well-being, and to overcome developmental challenges—in other words, to attain a better and more advanced quality of life. It is evident that realizing such objectives requires sustainable development. Today, the relationship between human development and environmental quality has become a central issue in the discourse on environmental preservation and sustainability. Increases in the Human Development Index (HDI) influence the consumption of natural resources and environmental sustainability. This study aims to examine the relationship between environmental pollution and the Human Development Index in selected member countries of the Asian Productivity Organization. Based on the results of the Limer test, panel data analysis was employed, covering 20 member countries over the period from 2000 to 2018. The model estimation results indicate that an increase in the Human Development Index is associated with a decrease in carbon dioxide emissions. This suggests that improvements in HDI-comprised of life expectancy, education, and per capita income—contribute to a reduction in air pollution. As life expectancy rises, educational levels improve, and income per capita increases, the HDI improves, leading to enhanced societal welfare. This, in turn, results in lower levels of environmental pollution, particularly air pollution. Given that improvements in the Human Development Index led to better environmental quality, it is recommended that policymakers promote education and implement strategies aimed at enhancing HDI indicators in order to improve environmental conditions and reduce pollution.
Keywords
Subjects
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