Title Sustainable Development in the World from the Aspect of Environmental Health and Human Development Index: Regional Variations and Patterns

Abstract

In this paper we consider the impact of Human Development Index and Environmental Health on sustainable development in 178 observed countries. We focus on the necessity of multidisciplinary approaches that estimate and predict how selected indicators such as:

(1) Improved sanitation facilities (% of population with access);

(2) Life expectancy at birth, female (years);

(3) Improved water source, rural areas (% of rural population with access);

(4) Access to electricity (% of population), and

(5) Health expenditure per capita (current USD) influence on sustainable development and environmental health in the World.

The Environmental Health and Human Development Indicator allow countries to compare their social and environmental inequalities with other surrounding countries/regions. Any correlations between Environmental Health and Human Development Index as well as with five World Bank indicators were to be analyzed. The objective was also to explore the heterogeneity of observed countries according to their level of sustainable development based on Environmental Health and Human Development Index.

Keywords: Environmental Health, Human Development Index, sustainable development, World Bank Indicators, scores and ranks, air and water quality

JEL Classification: O13, Q20, Q32, Q41, R11, M14