3.3.6

Patterns of Development

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Current Patterns of Global Development

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) categorises countries by their stages of development. The IMF also gives some nations loans when they have financial emergencies.

Illustrative background for What are the IMF's 3 categories of development?Illustrative background for What are the IMF's 3 categories of development? ?? "content

What are the IMF's 3 categories of development?

  • The IMF has 3 categories of country:
    • Advanced countries (ACs).
    • Emerging developing countries (EDCs).
    • Low-income developing countries (LIDCs).
Illustrative background for How does the IMF classify countries?Illustrative background for How does the IMF classify countries? ?? "content

How does the IMF classify countries?

  • 31 countries (16% of the world's countries) are ACs. They include New Zealand, Portugal, the USA, the UK, and Canada. Korea and Singapore are the only Asian ACs. The rest are in Europe, North America, or Australasia.
  • 45% of countries are EDCs. They include India, China, Chile, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand.
  • 38% are LIDCs. Most LIDCs are in Africa. Afghanistan, the DRC, and Kenya are classified as LIDCs.

Jump to other topics

1Physical Geography

1.1River Environments

1.2Coastal Environments

1.3Hazardous Environments - Tropical Cyclones

1.4Hazardous Environments - Earthquakes & Volcanoes

2Human Geography

3Global Issues

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