An economist built a rival to GDP out of health, schooling and income combined

In 1990, Pakistani economist Mahbub ul Haq, drawing on Amartya Sen's work on human capability, launched the Human Development Index to challenge the idea that a rising GDP alone proves a country is thriving. By blending life expectancy, education and income into one score, it let a poorer country with good healthcare and schools outrank a richer one that neglected both.

— Mahbub ul Haq (UNDP), Human Development Report 1990 — United Nations Development Programme, 1990