4.1.9

Comparing Development

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Comparing Development

We can make comparisons between the level of development and quality of life in a range of different countries using development indicators.

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Development indicators for different countries

  • We can see trends among countries of different incomes.
  • For example, we can see that low-income countries tend to have a larger amount of the population working in primary employment.
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Low-income countries

  • Haiti and Somalia are low-income countries.
  • Haiti is the least developed nation in the western hemisphere.
  • Haiti's low GDP per capita ($1,800 USD) means that there is less money to invest in healthcare, education and infrastructure such as safe drinking water.
  • Somalia's GDP per capita is extremely low ($314 USD) and the majority of people are employed in farming.
  • The lack of investment in healthcare and education means that people get trapped in a cycle of poverty.
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Middle-income countries

  • Brazil and China are middle-income countries.
  • In Brazil, access to health and education has improved and it has a large tertiary sector (32.5%) as a result.
  • In China, access to health and education has also improved though it has a large rural population still living in poverty.
  • China has a substantial secondary sector from manufacturing so many products for multinational companies.
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High-income countries

  • Qatar is a high-income country that generates most of its wealth through oil.
  • The development indicators show that this money isn’t always spent on improving in services in the country, such as education.
  • Russia is a high/middle-income country, like China it still has some rural areas living in poverty.
  • Russia has a large manufacturing base to produce goods for multinational companies.
Illustrative background for High-income countries cont.Illustrative background for High-income countries cont. ?? "content

High-income countries cont.

  • The United Kingdom and United States are high-income countries and are very similar (although GDP per capita is significantly higher in the USA).
  • Both countries have good investment into healthcare, education and infrastructure, meaning that the majority of their people enjoy a high quality of life and standard of living.

Jump to other topics

1Geography Skills

2Geology of the UK

3Geography of the World

4Development

5Weather & Climate

6The World of Work

7Natural Resources

8Rivers

9Coasts

10Glaciers

11Tectonics

12Climate Change

13Global Population & Inequality

14Urbanisation

15Ecosystems

16Life in an Emerging Country

17Analysis of Africa

18Analysis of India

19Analysis of the Middle East

20Analysis of Bangladesh

21Analysis of Russia

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