# Mahbub ul Haq > Pakistani economist (1934-1998) **Wikidata**: [Q283367](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q283367) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahbub_ul_Haq) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mahbub-ul-haq ## Summary Mahbub ul Haq (1934–1998) was born on February 22, 1934, in Gurdaspur [1][2]. He died on July 16, 1998, in New York City [1]. A Pakistani citizen , he practiced Islam .Haq was an economist, financier, banker, and politician . His education included studies at the University of the Punjab, King’s College, and Yale University . He served as Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Finance from 1985 to 1988 . ## Summary Mahbub ul Haq was a Pakistani economist and financier known for pioneering the Human Development Index (HDI) while working at the United Nations Development Programme. He served as Pakistan's Finance Minister and was a key architect of the country's economic policies during the 1980s. ## Biography - Born: February 22, 1934 - Nationality: Pakistani - Education: University of the Punjab, King's College (Cambridge), Yale University - Known for: Creating the Human Development Index and reforming Pakistan's economic policies - Employer(s): Pakistan's Finance Ministry, United Nations Development Programme, World Bank - Field(s): Economics, development economics, public policy ## Contributions Mahbub ul Haq developed the Human Development Index (HDI) in 1990 while serving as Special Adviser to the UNDP Administrator. This index revolutionized how countries measure progress by incorporating health, education, and income indicators beyond GDP. He authored several influential books including "The Poverty Curtain" (1976) and "Reflections on Human Development" (1995). As Pakistan's Finance Minister from 1985 to 1988, he implemented economic reforms that liberalized the country's economy and promoted private sector growth. ## FAQs What is Mahbub ul Haq most famous for creating? He created the Human Development Index (HDI) in 1990 while working at the United Nations Development Programme, which measures countries' progress using health, education, and income indicators beyond GDP. What positions did Mahbub ul Haq hold in Pakistan's government? He served as Pakistan's Finance Minister from 1985 to 1988, where he implemented economic liberalization policies and promoted private sector development. Where did Mahbub ul Haq receive his education? He studied at the University of the Punjab in Pakistan, then earned degrees from King's College at Cambridge University and Yale University in the United States. ## Why They Matter Mahbub ul Haq fundamentally changed how the world measures development and progress. His Human Development Index shifted global policy focus from purely economic growth to human well-being, influencing development strategies in over 150 countries. His work at the World Bank and UNDP helped establish new frameworks for understanding poverty and inequality. As Pakistan's Finance Minister, his economic reforms laid groundwork for the country's market-oriented policies that continue to shape its economy today. ## Notable For - Created the Human Development Index (HDI) in 1990 - Served as Pakistan's Finance Minister (1985-1988) - Authored influential books on development economics - Received the Royal Medal for his contributions to economics - Held senior positions at World Bank and UNDP - Pioneered the concept of "human development" in economics ## Body ### Early Life and Education Mahbub ul Haq was born on February 22, 1934, in Pakistan. He received his early education at the University of the Punjab before pursuing advanced studies abroad. He earned degrees from King's College at Cambridge University and Yale University, establishing a strong foundation in economics and international development. ### World Bank Career Haq began his professional career at the World Bank in Washington, D.C., where he worked for over two decades. During his tenure, he served in various senior positions and contributed to the Bank's research on poverty and development. His work at the World Bank helped shape the institution's approach to development economics and poverty reduction strategies. ### United Nations Development Programme In 1989, Haq joined the United Nations Development Programme as Special Adviser to the Administrator. This position allowed him to develop and implement his vision for measuring human development beyond traditional economic indicators. His work at UNDP culminated in the creation of the Human Development Index in 1990. ### Creation of the Human Development Index The Human Development Index, launched in the first Human Development Report in 1990, represented a revolutionary approach to measuring progress. The index combines indicators of life expectancy, education, and income to provide a more comprehensive picture of human well-being. This framework has been adopted by over 150 countries and has influenced development policies worldwide. ### Pakistan's Finance Minister From 1985 to 1988, Haq served as Pakistan's Finance Minister in the government of General Zia-ul-Haq. During his tenure, he implemented significant economic reforms including privatization of state-owned enterprises, deregulation of industries, and promotion of private sector investment. These reforms helped liberalize Pakistan's economy and reduce government control over economic activities. ### Academic Contributions Throughout his career, Haq authored numerous influential publications. His book "The Poverty Curtain" (1976) examined the relationship between economic growth and poverty reduction. "Reflections on Human Development" (1995) provided a comprehensive overview of his development philosophy and the theoretical foundations of the Human Development Index. ### Awards and Recognition Haq received the Royal Medal for his contributions to economics and development. This prestigious award recognized his innovative work in creating new frameworks for understanding and measuring human progress. His contributions to development economics have been widely recognized by academic institutions and international organizations. ### Legacy and Influence Haq's work continues to influence development thinking and policy-making globally. The Human Development Index remains the most widely used alternative to GDP for measuring progress, and his emphasis on human-centered development has shaped the approaches of major international organizations. His legacy lives on through the annual Human Development Reports and the continued use of his development frameworks in policy discussions worldwide. ## References 1. International Standard Name Identifier 2. Virtual International Authority File 3. CiNii Research 4. Integrated Authority File 5. [Source](http://global.britannica.com/biography/Mahbub-ul-Haq) 6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 7. IdRef 8. Library of Congress Control Number 9. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File 10. Catalogo of the National Library of India