When it comes to the world economy, it’s impossible to overlook the stark differences between developing and developed countries. The terms ‘developing countries’ and ‘developed countries’ refer to the status of nations in terms of their economic growth and development.
Developing countries are those that are still in the process of industrialization, while developed countries are those that have already established a high degree of industrialization and economic growth.
Developing vs. developed countries
| Developed Countries | Developing Countries |
|---|---|
| Developed countries have a high level of economic development and a diversified economy with a focus on service and knowledge-based industries. | Developing countries have a low to medium level of economic development and rely on agriculture and resource-based industries. |
| They have a high GDP per capita, indicating a high standard of living. | They have a low GDP per capita, indicating a lower standard of living. |
| The standard of living is high in developed countries due to high incomes, excellent healthcare, education, and social welfare systems. | They have a low to medium standard of living due to low incomes, inadequate healthcare and education, and limited social welfare systems. |
| They have highly developed infrastructure, including transportation, communication, and utilities. | They have underdeveloped infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. |
| The literacy rate is high in developed countries, indicating a highly educated population. | Developing countries have a low to medium literacy rate, indicating a less educated population. |
| Developed countries have highly developed healthcare systems with excellent facilities, well-trained healthcare professionals, and advanced medical technology. | They have limited healthcare resources, inadequate facilities, and a shortage of healthcare professionals. |
| The life expectancy is high in developed countries due to advanced medical technology, excellent healthcare, and good living conditions. | Developing countries have a low to medium life expectancy due to inadequate healthcare, poor living conditions, and limited access to clean water and sanitation. |
| Developed countries have a highly stable political environment with strong institutions and established democratic systems. | They often struggle with political instability, corruption, and weak democratic institutions. |
| They have a high level of education with excellent educational facilities, highly qualified teachers, and a focus on research and development. | Developing countries have limited access to education, inadequate facilities, and poorly qualified teachers. |
The criteria for determining whether a country is developed or developing can vary.
The most commonly accepted criteria for determining a country’s development status is based on several indicators such as GDP per capita, life expectancy, literacy rates, and poverty rates. These criteria help to compare the relative differences between developed and developing countries.
For example, a developed country would generally have a higher GDP per capita than a developing country. Similarly, a developed country would typically have longer life expectancies, higher literacy rates, and lower poverty rates than a developing country. Thus, when looking at the differences between developed and developing countries, these indicators are essential for understanding the gap in development levels between them.
Generally, however, there are four main indicators used to measure development: GDP per capita, life expectancy, literacy rates, and poverty rates.
GDP per capita is often used as the primary indicator of development because it is a measure of a country’s overall economic output. This measure takes into account factors such as income and production, providing a comprehensive overview of the wealth of a nation. However, GDP per capita does not take into account factors such as inequality or the quality of life, which is why other indicators are also used.
Life expectancy is another important indicator of development because it is a measure of the health of a population. A nation with a longer life expectancy will typically have better access to healthcare and nutrition, and this can be an indicator of a more developed society.
Literacy rates are also used as an indicator of development because they are a measure of a population’s educational attainment. A nation with higher literacy rates will typically have better access to education, allowing for greater opportunity for all citizens.
Poverty rates are the final indicator of development because they are a measure of a population’s access to basic needs. A nation with high poverty rates will typically have lower access to food, water, and housing, making it difficult for citizens to reach their full potential.
When all of these indicators are taken into account, it is clear that there are significant differences between developed and developing countries. While there are many factors that can contribute to a nation’s level of development, these four indicators provide an important snapshot of a nation’s progress.
GDP per capita is often used as the primary indicator of development because it is a measure of a country’s overall economic output.
Gross domestic product (GDP) is the total value of all goods and services produced within a country over a given period of time. GDP per capita is the average GDP for each person living in a country, and it is calculated by dividing the total GDP of a country by its population.
GDP per capita is often used as an indicator of economic development because it reflects a country’s economic output, or production. Higher GDP per capita indicates a higher level of economic activity and output in a country, while lower GDP per capita indicates that the economy is not producing enough to meet the needs of its citizens. Additionally, GDP per capita is a key factor in determining a country’s ability to fund important public services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
Despite its usefulness as an indicator of economic development, GDP per capita does not take into account other important factors such as inequality or the quality of life. Therefore, other indicators such as life expectancy, literacy rates, and poverty rates are also used to measure development.
However, GDP per capita does not take into account factors such as inequality or the quality of life, which is why other indicators are also used.
GDP per capita is a valuable measure of economic output, but it does not always give an accurate picture of the overall development level of a country. Factors like inequality and the quality of life, which cannot be measured in monetary terms, are also important indicators of development. Therefore, it is necessary to look at other indicators when measuring a country’s development.
Life expectancy is a key indicator of development, as it is a measure of the health of a population. In developed countries, life expectancy tends to be higher than in developing countries, where health problems are more common. Literacy rates are also used as an indicator of development, as they measure a population’s educational attainment. Finally, poverty rates are an important measure of development because they show a population’s access to basic needs. All of these indicators must be taken into account when assessing a country’s development.
Life expectancy is another important indicator of development because it is a measure of the health of a population.
Life expectancy is the average age at which a population lives to, and is an important measure of development because it reflects the health and quality of life in a country. Generally, developed countries tend to have higher life expectancies than developing countries. For example, in 2018, the average life expectancy in the United States was 78.7 years, while the average life expectancy in many developing countries such as India and Nigeria was around 69 and 59 years respectively.
The life expectancy gap between developed and developing countries is often attributed to a variety of factors, including access to healthcare, nutrition, education, and sanitation. In addition, life expectancy can be affected by environmental factors such as air and water pollution. As a result, it is important for developing countries to focus on improving healthcare access and other related issues if they want to close the gap in life expectancy between them and developed countries.
Literacy rates are also used as an indicator of development because they are a measure of a population’s educational attainment.
The literacy rate of a population is the percentage of people over the age of 15 who can read and write. It is a strong indicator of how educated a population is, which in turn can be a strong indicator of economic development. Developed countries tend to have high literacy rates, often above 90%, while developing countries often have lower literacy rates, ranging from around 60% to 80%.
The literacy rate of a population can be affected by factors such as access to education, quality of education, and socio-economic status. In developed countries, there is often a high level of access to education, and the quality of education is generally very high. This leads to higher literacy rates in these countries. In developing countries, however, access to education may be limited, and the quality of education may not be as good. This can lead to lower literacy rates in these countries.
It is important to remember that literacy rates are only one measure of a population’s educational attainment. Other factors such as graduation rates and educational attainment can also be taken into account when looking at the overall educational attainment of a population. Nevertheless, literacy rates are an important indicator of a population’s development, and they can provide valuable insight into a country’s educational level and economic development.
Poverty rates are the final indicator of development because they are a measure of a population’s access to basic needs.
In many cases, poverty rates are the most direct and accurate way to measure a country’s level of development. Poor countries often have higher poverty rates than developed countries, since people in those countries often lack access to basic necessities such as food, water, and healthcare.
Poverty rates can be calculated in a variety of ways. The most commonly used method is to measure the percentage of people who live on less than $1.90 a day (the World Bank Poverty Line). This helps to identify how many people in a country lack access to basic needs, and therefore how developed it is.
The fact that poverty rates are an important indicator of development means that governments should focus on reducing poverty in their countries. This can be done through investments in infrastructure, education, and healthcare, as well as providing more social safety nets and opportunities for economic growth.
When all of these indicators are taken into account, it is clear that there are significant differences between developed and developing countries.
GDP per capita is the primary indicator of economic development, and developed countries tend to have much higher GDP per capita than developing countries. For example, the U.S. has a GDP per capita of over $63,000 while in a country such as Ethiopia it is only $1,100. This shows that the U.S. is far more developed economically than Ethiopia.
Life expectancy is another indicator of development, and developed countries tend to have much higher life expectancies than developing countries. For example, life expectancy in the United States is 79 years while it is only 54 years in Ethiopia. This is a reflection of the fact that Ethiopia does not have access to the same level of healthcare as the United States.
Literacy rates are another indicator of development, and developed countries tend to have much higher literacy rates than developing countries. For example, in the United States, 99% of adults are literate while in Ethiopia only 59% of adults are literate. This again reflects the fact that Ethiopia does not have access to the same level of education as the United States.
Finally, poverty rates are another indicator of development, and developed countries tend to have much lower poverty rates than developing countries. For example, in the United States, 10% of people live below the poverty line while in Ethiopia 40% of people live below the poverty line. This reflects the fact that Ethiopia is less economically developed than the United States and that poverty is more pervasive in developing countries.
Overall, these indicators show that there are clear differences between developed and developing countries, with developed countries having higher GDP per capita, life expectancy, literacy rates, and lower poverty rates than developing countries.
Examples of developed countries
The United States, Canada, and the countries of the European Union are some of the most developed countries in the world. These countries have high GDP per capita, long life expectancy rates, high literacy rates, and low poverty rates.
The U.S. and Canada have an average GDP per capita of $57,000 and $49,000 respectively, while the EU has an average of $37,000. Life expectancy in the U.S. and Canada is around 79 years, while the EU averages around 82 years. Literacy rates are around 99% in the U.S. and Canada, while the EU’s rate is 96%. Poverty rates in the U.S. and Canada are 9% and 12% respectively, while the EU has a poverty rate of 11%. All of these indicators demonstrate why these countries are considered to be developed.
Examples of developing countries
Afghanistan: Afghanistan is a developing country with one of the lowest GDP per capita in the world. The life expectancy is around 58.5 years, the literacy rate is only 36%, and the poverty rate is estimated to be about 50%.
Haiti: Haiti is another example of a developing country. It has one of the lowest GDP per capita rates in the world and an average life expectancy of 63 years. The literacy rate is 61% and the poverty rate is estimated to be around 59%.
India: India is a large, rapidly developing country with a population of over 1.3 billion people. The GDP per capita is relatively low, but it is growing steadily. The life expectancy is about 68.9 years, the literacy rate is 74%, and the poverty rate is estimated to be around 21%.
Nepal: Nepal is another example of a developing country with a population of over 28 million people. The GDP per capita is relatively low and the life expectancy is around 72.2 years. The literacy rate is 65%, and the poverty rate is estimated to be around 25%.
Kenya: Kenya is a rapidly developing African country with a population of over 51 million people. The GDP per capita is relatively low, but it is steadily increasing. The life expectancy is around 67 years, the literacy rate is 85%, and the poverty rate is estimated to be around 33%.
Conclusion
Developed countries have higher GDP per capita than developing countries, indicating a higher overall economic output. Developed countries also tend to have higher life expectancy rates, which is reflective of their access to better health care and resources. Also, developed countries typically have higher literacy rates than developing countries, meaning they have greater access to educational opportunities and resources. Finally, developed countries generally have lower poverty rates than developing countries, meaning they have more access to basic needs such as food and shelter.
