Social Characteristics: Classifying Countries

Social characteristics

• Levels of gender equality

• birth rates and population growth

• levels of employment

• levels of education

• social security systems

• health systems

• access to technology

• legal systems

Gender equality

Gender equality is when males and females have equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities.

High income countries often experience relatively high levels of gender equality where as in many low income countries, females do not have the same opporunties as males in society. Females may have limited opportunities for education and often workj in fields tending crops and spend significant time collecting water and preparing meals.

Birth and population rates

Factors that influence birth and population rates

• Access to contraception

• choice in family planning

• career choices

• Education

• gender equality

• culture

High birth rates in many low- and middle-income countries can limit the ability of parents to care for all of their children and provide them with the resources required to live a healthy life. High population growth rates limit the ability of governments to provide services for its citizens such as education, health care and social security.

Education and employment levels

High rates of education and employment are characteristic of most high-income countries. People often have choices about the level of education and the type of career they pursue.

Many low-income countries do not have a developed education system, so career options are often limited. In addition, families in low-income countries usually have to pay for their children to attend school, as opposed to in middle- and high-income countries, where governments contribute significant funds to provide education opportunities.

Social security systems

High levels of economic development and relatively stable political systems increase the ability of governments in high-income countries to provide social security payments for those in need.

Individuals who are unemployed, or unable to work due to illness or disability, are often provided with financial support to assist in promoting their health and wellbeing.

Low- and middle-income countries often do not have the means to provide assistance to their citizens, and those who are unemployed or unable to work are driven further into poverty.

Access to technology

Technology includes access to communication systems, the internet and medical technologies. It can be used to assist countries in developing their economies, building trade opportunities, furthering education and treating ill health.

Technology is more accessible in high-income countries due to a combination of economic resources, infrastructure and education.

Low-income countries often lack access to technology, and this impacts on the ability of citizens to gain an education and earn an income.

Legal systems

Most high-income countries experience strong political and legal systems. Unstable governments and political unrest are characteristic of many low-income and some middle-income countries and increase the risk of civil conflict, which is also more common in low-income countries.

A strong legal system is important for ensuring that human rights, such as the right to education and the right to live safely, are upheld.

Many low-income countries and, to a lesser extent, middle-income countries, lack a strong legal system, and the health and wellbeing of their citizens can be affected as a result.