Abstract:

This study aims to make comparisons between European Union member countries, candidate countries such as Turkey and potential candidates for Europe Union by taking account of Human Development Index values and to determine the development level of Turkey among these countries. For this purpose, the study seeks an answer to this question: According to Human Development Index Criteria, are there any differences between European Union member countries, candidate countries and potential candidates for the Union in terms of their Education Index and GDP (Gross Domestic Product) data. This study is formed document analysis as a qualitative research method. Within the scope of this document analysis, the 2011 Human Development Report of (UNDP) United Nations Development Programme and the (OECD) Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development reports were examined. Descriptive analysis technique was used to analyze the data. When the Human Development Index values are considered, this study reveals that Turkey‟s Human Development Index and Educational Index values are lower than both European Union member countries and candidate countries

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