Economic Geography

Developing and Developed Countries SOL WG.7b

Levels of Development

• Levels of economic development vary from country to country. Some countries are very wealthy and some are very poor. Standards of living and indicators of economic development are used to assess how wealthy a country is.

Levels of Development

• Why does economic development vary from one part of the world to another?

1. Access to natural resources - If a country does not have many resources it is more difficult for them to develop their economy.

Economic Development

2. Access to capital resources - Countries that do not have money, modern infrastructures, or industries will have a difficult time developing their economy.

3. Numbers and skills of human resources - Countries need skilled workers and unskilled workers in order to develop their economy.

Economic Development

4. Indicators of economic developmenta) Urban/rural ratio - The number of people who

live in cities versus the countryside.b) Labor force characteristics - How much of

the economy is devoted to primary, secondary, or tertiary economic activity. The economy in some countries is primarily based on agriculture or mineral extraction. Countries in Africa tend to farm or dig up minerals.

Economic Development

c) GDP per capita - Gross domestic product per capita refers to how much money an average family earns in a year.

d) Educational achievement - The number of skilled workers in a country.

Standards of Living

5. Indicators of standards of living and quality of life.

a) Population growth rate

b) Population age distribution - Some countries have many young people while others have older people.

c) Literacy rate - The number of people who can read and write.

d) Life expectancy - How long the average person lives.

Standards of Living

e) Infant mortality rate - The number of babies that die at birth or within the first year of life.

f) Percentage of urban population - The number of people living in cities.

Compare

• Developed countries tend to have the following characteristics:

1. Low population growth rates2. Higher percentage of old people3. High literacy rates4. Long life expectancies5. Low infant mortality rates6. High percentage of population living in urban

areas

Population Growth Rate

Literacy Rates

Life Expectancy

Infant Mortality Rate

Compare

• Developed countries tend to have the following characteristics:

1. Economy based on tertiary economic activity

2. High GDP per capita

3. High levels of education

GDP Per Capita

Developed Countries

• Some developed countries are:1. United States2. Canada3. Australia and New Zealand4. Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and

Taiwan5. All countries in Europe and Russia6. Israel, UAE, Bahrain

Developed Countries

Developing Countries

• Some developing countries are:1. China - Highly developed industries and

some very modern cities but still many poor people

2. Brazil3. South Africa - Has a well developed

infrastructure but there are still many poor people in the country

Developing Countries

50 Least Developed

Factors that Affect Economic Activity

• Location and ability to exchange goods

1. Countries that are landlocked will have a difficult time transporting goods. Landlocked means a country does not have an outlet to an ocean. Some examples are Switzerland, Bolivia, Rwanda, and Mongolia.

2. Countries that are islands or on the coast will have an easier time exchanging goods.

Factors that Affect Economic Activity

3. Proximity to shipping lanes.

4. Access to communication networks

Factors that Affect Economic Activity

• Membership to political and economic alliances that provide access to markets.

Landlocked Countries

Shipping Lanes

Cell Phone Usage