Ranking G-20 Countries by Human Development Index Using Objective MCDM Techniques: An Integrated MEREC–EDAS Approach

The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite indicator that encompasses the fundamental dimensions of human development, namely health, education, and standard of living. This study aims to objectively rank G-20 countries according to their HDI indicators using 2023 data published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). An integrated Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) framework combining the MEREC and EDAS methods was applied. Criterion weights were determined using the MEREC method, which assesses the marginal effect of each indicator, identifying gross national income per capita as the most influential criterion. Based on these weights, countries were ranked through the EDAS method. Results indicate that the United States, Germany, and Australia occupy the highest positions, while South Africa, Indonesia, and India rank lowest. These findings highlight the decisive role of economic prosperity, education, and health standards in shaping human development outcomes. Furthermore, the high consistency between EDAS-based rankings and the official HDI order confirms the validity and robustness of the proposed integrated approach, demonstrating its potential for objective, data-driven evaluation of multidimensional development performance.