Metrics in Global Development: What We Measure and Why?

How do we know if development is working? This course uses the tools development professionals actually use to answer that question, including GDP, the Gini coefficient, the Human Development Index, the Sustainable Development Goals, theory of change, and logframes, as the throughline for understanding global development itself. Rather than treating metrics as a footnote to policy, we treat them as the lens: every topic we cover, from poverty and growth to governance, aid, and health, is explored through how it is measured, why that measurement was chosen, and what it leaves out. We will consider the role of the major actors, including international financial institutions, the United Nations system, and other multilateral, bilateral, and non-governmental institutions, alongside the accelerating shift toward locally led development following major disruptions to the aid system since 2025. The readings and discussions introduce key development analysts and practitioners from both the West and the developing world, and provide insight into why poverty and related challenges persist and what can be done about them. In class, we consider factors that contribute to or impede development success through case studies of countries at various stages: the least developed, those moving upward, and those that have risen to middle-income status.
 
This course is eligible towards the completion of the Certificate in Global Affairs. Bundle your coursework and earn a professional credential that communicates knowledge and skills gained. Declared Certificate students receive 10% off of courses within the program.
Continuing Education Units (CEU) : 2

You'll walk away with

• https://www.sps.nyu.edu/certificates/global-affairs.htmlA deep understanding how countries develop differently and what can be done to enhance development
• The knowledge of how cultural, environmental, and political perspectives shape development

Ideal for

• Students looking for an introduction to international development and how outcomes are measured, evaluated, and communicated to funders and policymakers
• Professionals in global affairs and development, human rights, or humanitarian fields who want to strengthen their data and metrics literacy
• Anyone considering a career where program evaluation, grant reporting, or evidence-based decision-making play a role