Infant Mortality as Measure of Economic Development

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Recommended: Economic development and population growth

Introduction
There have been several studies that argue on the real measurement of economic development. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is presently the main indicator for economic development. In fact, the World Bank (2004) has defined economic development as the qualitative change and restructuring in a country's economy and the main indicator of economic development is increasing Gross Domestic Product (GDP). While this may remain valid and acceptable, considering that World Bank has a huge reputation and influence around the globe, the financial organization has failed to indicate another possible index of measurement for economic development – the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR).
Several researchers contend that the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) should be a basis in determining the country’s economic status. These two methods differ in many ways. Each mentioned index has respective processes to follow and to come up with an accurate data and is used in their respective rights. Infant mortality rate is basically mentioned in health and demography while GDP more on financial and economics world. As such, it frequently has been used as a method of comparing levels of social and economic well-being among different nations and among different areas of the same nation.
This paper will discuss two major points. First is to discuss the significant relationship between IMR and economic development. Second would be to identify the lacunae of IMR as a measurement for a country’s general economic status.
Discussion
Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is defined by the United Nations (UN) as the probability of dying between birth and exact age 1. It is expressed as average annual deaths per 1,000 births. Roberts (1973) cited an annual report on Inf...

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...uharb, R., & Kimball, A. (2007). A New Dataset on Infant Mortality Rates. Journal of Peace Research, 44(6), 743-754. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/27640598
Derryberry , M., & Van Buskirk, E. (1936). HealthThe Significance of Infant Mortality Rates. Public Health Reports (1896-1970), 51(18), 545-551. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/4581821
Roberts, R. (1973). Modernization and Infant Mortality in Mexico. Economic Development and Cultural Change, 21(4), 655-669. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/1152695
The World Bank Group (2004). Beyond Economic Growth Student Book. Glossary. Retrieved from http://www.worldbank.org/depweb/english/beyond/global/glossary.html
World Health Organization (2013). Infant Mortality. Global Health Observatory (GHO). Retrieved from http://www.who.int/gho/urban_health/outcomes/infant_mortality_text/en/index.html

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