Measuring Development Overview

Development

Measuring how economically, socially, culturally, or technologically advanced a country is.

Economic development

Measures a country's wealth and how it is generated.

Human development

Measures access to wealth, jobs, education, health, and quality of life.

Standard of living

Describes material elements like wealth and nutrition.

Quality of life

Includes aspects like health and leisure.

Development indicators

Used to compare the development of regions based on various factors.

Primary industries

Industries like farming, fishing, and mining.

Secondary industries

Industries like manufacturing.

Tertiary industries

Industries like banking and information technology.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

Total value of goods and services produced by a country in a year.

Gross National Product (GNP)

Measures the total economic output of a country, including foreign earnings.

GNP per capita

Country's GNP divided by its population.

Economic growth

Annual increase in GDP, GNP, GDP per capita, or GNP per capita.

Inequality of wealth

Gap in income between a country's richest and poorest.

Inflation

Annual increase in prices of goods, services, and wages.

Unemployment

Number of people unable to find work.

Demographics

Study of population growth, birth rates, death rates, and urban-rural ratios.

Life expectancy

Average age a person lives.

Infant mortality rate

Number of babies who die under one year per 1000 live births.

Poverty

Percentage of people living below the poverty level.

Access to basic services

Availability of services necessary for a healthy life.

Access to healthcare

Availability of medical care.

Risk of disease

Percentage of people with diseases like AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.

Access to education

Measure of people attending primary, secondary, and higher education.

Literacy rate

Percentage of adults who can read and write.

Access to technology

Percentage of people with access to phones, internet, etc.

Male/female equality

Comparison of literacy rates and employment between sexes.

Government spending priorities

Comparison of health, education, military, and debt expenditure.

Short term aid

Immediate assistance provided to countries in need.

Long term aid

Sustainable assistance provided to countries for lasting development.