10 Geography - Wellbeing and Development

Wellbeing

A good or satisfactory condition of existence; a state characterised by health, happiness, prosperity, and welfare

Measuring wellbeing

Indicators of wellbeing help us – they are important and useful tools for monitoring and evaluating progress, or lack thereof.

Quantitative indicators

Easily measured and can be stated numerically, such as annual income or how many doctors there are in a country

Qualitive indicators

Usually consists of a complex set of indices that measure a particular aspect of quality of life or describe living conditions. Useful in analysing features that are not easily calculated or measured, such as freedom or security

Newly industrialised country (NIC)

Is one that is modernising and changing quickly, undergoing rapid economic growth

Emerging economies (EE)

Are places also experiencing rapid economic growth, but these are volatile in that there are significant political, monetary, or social challenges

Poverty

a denial of choices and opportunities, a violation of human dignity

Humanitarianism

Concern for the welfare of other human beings

Absolute poverty

Experienced when income levels are inadequate to enjoy a minimum standard of living

Relative poverty

Where income levels are too low to enjoy a reasonable standard of living in that society

Poverty line

An official measure used by governments to define this living below this income level as living in poverty

Population density

The number of people within a given area, usually per square kilometre

Population distribution

The spread of people across the globe

Life expectancy

The number of years a person can expect to live, usually when they are born, based I the average living conditions within a country

Fertility rates

The average number of children born per woman

Natural increase

The difference between the birth rate and the death rate. Does not include migration

Replacement rate

The number of children each woman would need to have to ensure a stale population level – that is, to replace the children’s parents. This fertility rate is 2.1 children.

Dependent population

Those in the under 15 years old and over 60 years old groups. People in these groups are dependent on those in the working age groups, either directly or indirectly for support

Ageing population

An increase in the number and percentage of people in the older age groups (usually 60 years)