Development Flashcards
Development
The process of positive change in a country, with aims of improving people’s lives.
Development indicator
A piece of data that describes how developed a country is
Economic indicator
Gives insight into wealth and jobs
Example of economic indicator
GDP per capita (PPP) = gross domestic product per person
Social indicator
Gives insight into people’s quality of life
Examples of social indicators
No. of doctors per 1000 ppl, % of pop. w/ access of clean water + sanitation, average age of mother at first birth
Technological indicator
Gives insight on people’s access to new technologies
Examples of technological indicators
% of country w/ access to electricity, number of mobile phones per 100 people
Composite indicator
Combines two or more indicators into a single statistic
Examples of composite indicators
Human development index (HDI), World happiness index
Development gap
Refers to the difference in levels of development between more and less economically developed countries
Historical reasons as to why the development gap grew
Colonisation of African and Asian countries led to exploitation, as colonisers did very little to develop their colonies. Many ex-colonies still remain poor.
Geographical reasons as to why the development gap grew
Location can either benefit or disadvantage a country’s development:
- great climate + fertile soil makes it favourable to sell agricultural products (e.g India, china, Brazil, USA)
- abundance of natural resources makes it favourable to sell them (e.g Saudi Arabia)
- being near large trade areas makes it favourable to become a large shipment port (e.g Singapore)
- however, landlocked and extremely hot/cold countries struggle to export goods and develop
How health and education meant that the development gap grew
A well-educated and healthy workforce allows a country to develop and improve its economy. However a disease-ridden one will mean that the country’s money is spent on disease prevention instead of development. Poor education system means less people have degrees (prevents children being taught and adults to get jobs)
How conflict + corruption meant that the development gap grew
Corruption can mean that the country’s money would go to the pockets of greedy politicians. Conflict such as civil war can mean that a country’s money will be spent on war, instead of developing its education system, legal system and economic status.
