Social Characteristics

All social characteristics

-Birth and population rates

-Legal systems

-Education and employment levels

-Gender equality

-Access to technology

-Social security systems

-Health systems

Gender Equality

When males and females have equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities

Higher income countries: Generally higher levels of gender equality (Equal choices in education, employment, community participation)

Middle income countries: Benefit from greater levels of gender equality (more famales paid employment which helps reduce poverty and contributes to countries productivity and economy)

Low income countries: Limited opportunities for education and often work in fields tending to crops

Birth and population rates

High income countries: Low birth rates and slow rates of population growth (due to them having access to contraception, choice in family planning, career choices, education, and gender equality)

Middle income countries: Mix of both

Low income countries: High birth rates (can limit ability of parents to care for all children, limit the ability of governments to provide services for its citizens like healthcare and education)

Education and employment levels

High income countries: High rates of education and employment (people have choices about level of education and type of career pursued.)

Low income countries: Do not have developed education systems so career options are often limited (often have to pay for kids to attend school)

Social security systems

High income countries: High levels of economic development and relatively stable political systems increase the ability of HIC to provide social security payments for those in need (Unemployed, individuals unable to work due to illness or disability, are often provided with financial support to assist in promoting HW)

Middle income countries: do not have the means to aid their citizens, and those who are unemployed or unable to work are driven further into poverty

Low income countries do not have the means to aid their citizens, and those who are unemployed or unable to work are driven further into poverty

Health Systems

High income countries: Generally have better health systems (people are usually able to access it regardless of their ability to pay)

Middle income countries: Often lacks access to suitable healthcare

Low income countries: Often lacks access to suitable healthcare

Access to technology

TECHNOLOGY: 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

High income countries: More accessible 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

High income countries: Experience strong political legal systems (essential in ensuring human rights are upheld- education and right to live safely)

Middle income countries: Often unstable governments, and this results in political unrest. This can decrease the risk of civil conflict

Low income countries: Often unstable governments, and this results in political unrest. This can decrease the risk of civil conflict