growth amounting to far less than one third of what was anticipated at the beginning of the decade. Дй/ Thus, while the Lorenz Curve may be useful in measuring income distribution within a purely domestic context, its utility for international comparisons in the realm of human rights may need to be given some extra thought. 85. The prospect of using universal indicators in the assessment of economic, social and cultural rights, as things currently stand, is subject to diverse limitations, many of which have already been discussed. Obviously applying precisely the same criteria of compliance for States at opposite ends of the development spectrum is impossible. The rights in question, while retaining their xuiiversal validity without question, will generally require different methods of assessment, obviously depending on diverse variables. This will, of course, require consistency with the norms of the Covenant and the general principles of international law. Yet, while some criteria will necessarily be relative, such as measures of GNP, a State's stage of development and the like, at least several indicators currently have universal significance, notwithstanding issues of relativity. One observer has suggested that; "Some full life indicators could appropriately generate universal standards. Universal literacy is achievable by all societies and so is access to basic primary health care, including mass immunization and the elimination of acute malnutrition. Such universal indicators might be the most useful to pursue initially". 61/ 86. At this stage of the Special Rapporteur's mandate, it is felt to be too early to recommend precisely which indicators should be employed as general indicators and which as core indicators towards the realization of economic, social and cultural rights. Suggestions can be offered, however, as to which indicators (based on a methodology and a criterion consistent with human rights) could be pursued at this early stage of analysis.
**Analysis**
The text discusses the challenges of measuring economic, social, and cultural rights, particularly in international comparisons. It touches on the need for universal indicators that can be applied consistently across different countries, considering factors such as stage of development and cultural context. The text also mentions specific indicators, such as literacy and access to basic health care, that could be used to measure progress towards these rights.

**Category**
Education, Health