Multidimensional assessment of SDI and HDI using topsis and bilinear ordering

This study investigates how the Human Development Index (HDI) influences Sustainable Development (SD) in European Union (EU) countries by analyzing the relationship between the United Nations’ HDI and a newly constructed Sustainable Development Index (SDI) by the authors. The dataset comprises 18 indicators retrieved from Eurostat for 2021. The study employs the TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution) approach to calculate the SDI and utilizes bilinear ordering to visualize countries in a coordinate system based on their SDI and HDI scores. Spearman’s rank correlation reveals a strong positive relationship between SDI and HDI. The study identifies disparities, with countries like Denmark and Sweden showing high SDI and HDI, while Romania and Bulgaria have lower scores. Northern and Western EU countries generally perform better, whereas Eastern and Southern countries face more challenges, highlighting the need for targeted development strategies. The results emphasize the importance of considering both human and sustainable development in policy design, offering insights for enhancing development
outcomes for the EU.