Which of the following is NOT a common measure of development?

• A. GDP per capita.
• B. Life expectancy.
• C. Population density.
• D. Literacy rate.

Answer: (C)

Development indicators focus on how people live, work, and learn—things like income, health, and education. GDP per capita measures the average economic output available to each person, which reflects living standards. Life expectancy shows how long people typically live, indicating health and well-being. Literacy rate gauges education and the skills of a population.

Population density, on the other hand, tells us how many people live in a given area. It describes crowding and geographic spread, not how well people are living or what resources they have. It can influence development—dense areas might have better access to services or face urban challenges—but it isn’t a direct measure of development itself. That’s why it’s not a common development indicator.