Common Characteristics of Developing Countries

Vocabulary flashcards covering the first four common characteristics of developing countries, including economic indicators, human capital, and demographic trends, based on lecture notes.

Developing World

An extremely diverse collection of countries that, while unique, share a number of common characteristics.

Low Levels of Living and Productivity

A primary characteristic of developing countries, encompassing low per capita income, output per worker, and overall well-being.

Per Capita Income

One of the most important characteristics used to measure well-being, typically low in developing countries.

Global Income Distribution

High-income countries constitute a small fraction of the world's population but accrue a significant majority (e.g., 54% in 2002-2008) of global income.

Output per Worker

The value added or output generated per worker; labor in developed countries is much more productive, generating significantly more output than in developing countries.

Human Capital

Measures of a population's health and education, such as under five mortality, net primary school enrollment rates, and student-teacher ratios, which are typically lower in developing countries.

Under Five Mortality

Child mortality for children before the age of five; much higher in developing countries than in high-income countries.

Net Primary School Enrollment Rates

The fraction of individuals enrolled in primary school who are of primary school age; lower in low-income countries (e.g., 80%) compared to high-income countries (e.g., 95%).

Student-Teacher Ratios

A measure of educational resources; higher in low-income countries (e.g., 45 for primary school) compared to high-income countries (e.g., 15 for primary school).

Maternal Education and Child Mortality Correlation

Higher levels of maternal education are generally associated with lower levels of child mortality, indicating a compounding effect of human capital.

High Levels of Inequality

A characteristic where, within a country, the highest-income individuals tend to earn a grossly disproportionate share of the national income.

Absolute Poverty

Living at a subsistence level where meeting basic needs like nutritional requirements or treating basic diseases is a struggle, making individuals very vulnerable to economic shocks.

Dollar a Day Count

A World Bank measure (now $1.25 a day) used to identify the number of individuals living below a threshold of very low well-being.

High Population Growth

A common characteristic of developing countries, indicated by high crude birth rates compared to more developed countries.

Crude Birth Rate

The number of live births per 1,000 individuals in the population; significantly higher in many parts of the developing world.

Population Composition

Developing countries, on average, are much younger than higher-income countries due to a larger relative population of younger people resulting from high birth rates.