Chapter 8

classifying countries

developed by the World Bank and uses a country’s Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, or average income, to classify countries into one of three main groups; high income, middle income, low income

characteristics of low-, middle-, and high-income countries

economic characteristics

social characteristics

environmental characteristics

Economic characteristics

factors relating to the financial or economic state of a country can influence the opportunities and resources that are available to its citizens.

include levels of poverty, range of industries, opportunities for global trade, and high average incomes.

Global trade

is also affected by infrastructure (such as roads, ports and airports) and knowledge and experience, which assist in buying from and selling to other countries around the world.

Gross National Income per capita (GNI)

the measure used to categorise countries according to the income groupings used by the World Bank.

Social characteristics

include gender equality, birth and population rates, education and employment levels, social security systems, health systems, access to technology and legal systems.

Environmental characteristics

Contributes to the health and well-being experienced in all countries.

Includes food security, adequate housing, adequate infrastructure and access to safe water and sanitation.

Human Development

Creating an environment where people can develop to their full potential, leading productive and creative lives according to their needs and interests. It is about expanding peoples choices, enhancing capabilities, access to knowledge, health, decent standard of living, participating in the community and decisions affecting their lives.

Develop to their full potential

being free from disease and disabilities that would prevent people from adequately growing up and living up to the full potential that they otherwise would have been able to

Lead productive and creative lives according to their needs and interests

being free from disease and disabilities that would prevent people from adequately growing up and living up to the full potential that they otherwise would have been able to

Expand peoples choices and enhance their capabilities

through education, people learn and can develop their literacy and numeracy skills, enhancing the things they are capable of doing. In doing so, they increase their employment prospects, therefore expanding the choices they have.

Access knowledge, health, and a decent standard of living

this notion to having access to quality education, health services, and adequate health care system, food security, shelter, water, and hence, good living standard.

Participate in their community and decisions affecting their lives

having the opportunity to participate in the community and the ability to make decisions for themselves.

Human Development Index (HDI)

a measure of the level of human development in a country.

Dimensions of HDI

A long and healthy life, knowledge, and a decent standard of living.

Indictors of HDI

Life expectancy at birth, mean years of schooling and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita.

HDI measurement

Countries are assigned a number between 0 and 1. The closer you are to 1, the better human development your country has.

Advantages of the HDI

Life expectancy reflects the ability to lead a long and healthy life.

Average income reflects the ability to access resources required for a decent standard of living.

Sanitation

Refers to the safe disposal of human waste and maintenance of hygienic conditions through services like wastewater disposal and garbage collection.

Limitations of HDI

Only reflects selected aspects of human development, therefore doesn’t capture its holistic nature.

Doesn’t acknowledge the inequalities possibly faced in countries.

Factors contributing to the differences in health status and BOD globally

Poverty, access to safe water, discrimination, and sanitation.

PADS

Poverty

Refers to living within the deprivation of resources, often due to limited income and financial resources.

Poverty can reduce access to the following:

Nutritious food

Clean water and sanitation

Education

Healthcare

Adequate housing

Government services and infrastructure

Discrimination

when a person or group of people is treated differently than other people, often a result of factors such as race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Race

Those from different races to the natives may be discriminated against, particularly in developing countries.

Religion

Many developing countries have a very pronounced religion that the majority of the population belongs to.

Sex

In many developing countries, females generally don’t have access to the same opportunities and rights as males.

Sexual orientation

Many developing countries don’t accept members who are apart of the LGBTQI+.