ABSTRACT
The Human Development Index (HDI) is used by the UN as a key indicator for comparing literacy rates, average life expectancy and quality of life across the world. It was developed by Mahbub ul Haq and Amartya Sen back in 1990, and while the methods underpinning the index were changed more than once, it remains the best tool for evaluating human development and understanding whether the prerequisites for sustainable social and economic development are in place. Russia is progressively improving its standing in the HDI, having ranked 55th in 2013 out of 187 countries. However, this result does not match the country’s potential. In practice, HDI rankings are determined to a large extent by the efficiency of social investment (SI). Accordingly, this chapter will focus on exploring such topical issues as social investment trends in today’s Russia alongside their short- and medium-term prospects.
