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International development: measuring the gap
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Some countries are much richer and healthier than others. Geographers measure development to understand the gap and how to close it.
Measuring development
GNI per capita: the average income per person in a country.
Life expectancy: how long people live on average. Infant mortality: how many babies die before age 1, per 1,000 live births. Literacy rate: the share of adults who can read and write.
The Human Development Index (HDI) combines life expectancy, education and income into a score from 0 to 1. Higher is more developed.
Why are some countries less developed?
Historical: the effects of colonialism, when resources were taken and economies built to serve the colonial power.
Economic: relying on exporting cheap primary products (such as raw crops) while importing expensive manufactured goods; debt.
Political: conflict and corruption.
Closing the gap
Fair trade: guaranteeing farmers a fair, minimum price.
Debt relief, investment by companies, and intermediate technology (simple, affordable tools that local people can maintain, like hand pumps).
In 2015 the United Nations agreed 17 Sustainable Development Goals to end poverty and protect the planet by 2030.
Why is HDI a better measure of development than GNI per capita alone?
- GNI per capita measures only average income.
- A country can have high income but poor health or education, or wealth shared very unequally.
- HDI combines income with life expectancy and education, so it gives a fuller picture.
Answer: HDI includes health and education as well as income, so it shows quality of life more fully.
Measures: GNI per capita, life expectancy, infant mortality, literacy, and the HDI (life expectancy + education + income, 0 to 1). Causes of the gap: physical, historical (colonialism), economic (trade, debt) and political. Ways to close it: aid, fair trade, debt relief, investment, intermediate technology; 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (2015).
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