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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?
A. Access to natural resources - If a country
does not have many resources it is more
difficult for them to develop their
economy.
Economic Development
B. Access to capital resources - Countries
that do not have money, modern
infrastructures, or industries will have a
difficult time developing their economy.
C. Numbers and skills of human resources Countries need skilled workers and
unskilled workers in order to develop their
economy.
Economic Development
Indicators of economic development
a) 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 the total value of goods and
services produced in a country in one year,
reported per person. (Usually an indicator of
wealth)
d) Educational achievement - The number of
educated and skilled workers in a country.
Standards of Living
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:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Low population growth rates
Higher percentage of old people
High literacy rates
Long life expectancies
Low infant mortality rates
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:
A. Economy based on tertiary economic
activity
B. High GDP per capita
C. High levels of education
GDP Per Capita
Developed Countries
• Some developed countries are:
A. United States
B. Canada
C. Australia and New Zealand
D. Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and
Taiwan
E. All countries in Europe
F. Israel, UAE, Bahrain
Developed Countries
Developing Countries
• Some developing countries are:
A. China - Highly developed industries and
some very modern cities but still many
poor people
B. Brazil
C. 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
A. Countries that are landlocked will have a
B.
difficult time transporting goods. Landlocked
means a country does not have an outlet to an
ocean. Some examples are Switzerland,
Bolivia, Rwanda, and Mongolia.
Countries that are islands or on the coast will
have an easier time exchanging goods.
Factors that Affect Economic Activity
C. Proximity to shipping lanes.
D. Access to communication networks
E. Membership to economic alliances that
provide access to global markets
Factors that Affect Economic Activity
5. Membership to political and economic
alliances that provide access to markets.
Landlocked Countries
Shipping Lanes
Cell Phone Usage
Economic Alliances
Economic Alliances
The European Union
Economic Alliances
ASEAN
Economic Alliances