Human development inequality within and between selected SAARC countries using Mean Log Deviation MLD

This paper examines the inequality of the Human Development Index (HDI) and its components in selected SAARC countries from 2000 to 2020 using the Mean Log Deviation method. Findings show that all countries except Pakistan saw a decline in HDI inequality, with Nepal having the most significant reduction, while Pakistan’s inequality increased by 17%. Health index inequality declined across all countries. In terms of education index inequality, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Afghanistan improved, but the Maldives and Pakistan saw increases. For income index inequality, all except Afghanistan reported declines, with the Maldives showing the most substantial decrease. The analysis revealed that between-country inequality exceeds the typical 100% threshold, largely due to India’s large population. Excluding India, between-country inequality remains greater than within-country inequality across health, education, and income indices.