geography - global inequalties

What is development

• The process of the creation & improvement of living conditions that allows humans to reach their full potentiall

• Also allows for humans to live a long and happy life

→ human development - fights inequalities and increases living standards for all

Measuring inequality and development

• we measure with different indications

• Measures related to a key issue or phenomenon that are derived from a series of observed facts

Single indicators

• indicators that measure only 1 factor - expressed as a number or %

• Eg: life expectancy, infant mortality

Composite indicators

• measures many factors at the same time → often used to measure complex, multidimensional. Concepts

• Summarise a range of diff indicators in one number

• Eg: HPI, HDI

Single indicators strengths and weaknesses

STRENGHTS

• easy to calculate

• Data is easily accessible

• Easy to interpret

WEAKNESSES

• limited in what is shown

• Could be misleading

• Can misinterpret minority groups

Composite indicators strengths & weakenesses

STRENGTHS

• they are broader so they potentially offer a more complete picture

• They measure concepts that are hard to quantify

WEAKNESSES

• they are complex to calculate

• If you don’t know how they are calculated - not useful

• Open to bia bcs they involve choices

• The data needed for calculation may not be avilable

LIC countries - characteristics

• high agriculture

• Mostly rural pop

• Poor healthcare quality

• Low income jobs

• Inadequate housing