Economic Development Flashcards

Vocabulary and Important Definitions

• Infrastructure: The basic facilities within a society or country such as transport, communications, and power supplies.
• Life Expectancy: The average age a person will be expected to live.
• Unemployment Rate: The percentage of people without a job.
• Literacy Rates: The percentage who can read and write.
• Informal Sector: This sector contains jobs which are often unskilled and labor intensive. Workers who work in these sectors do not pay tax.
• NIC (Newly Industrialized Country): A country where the economy has grown significantly, like India.

Economic Growth and Disparities in India

• India is an NIC, indicating economic growth.
• Despite economic growth, millions of low-paid workers exist in India, many in the informal sector.
• Bihar, India’s poorest state, has a literacy rate of 47% with limited opportunities.
• Kerala has a literacy rate of 92% in comparison.
• Each state in India is responsible for services like health and education.
• Variations in provision lead to differences: areas with higher spending on health and education result in higher life expectancy and literacy levels.

Patterns of Regional Social and Economic Inequalities

• Differences within countries due to:
  • Infrastructure: Improved infrastructure increases commuting ability, attracting business and industry.
  • Health and Social Care: Better access to healthcare and schools in some areas impacts life expectancy and literacy rates.
  • Unemployment: Increased unemployment rates in certain areas.
  • Government: Central government location and decisions may benefit specific areas over others.

Causes and Consequences of Regional Patterns of Economic Development in Economically Developing Countries

• In the context of an economically developing country, like India, various factors contribute to regional disparities:
• Differences in infrastructure, healthcare, education, employment, and governmental focus can significantly impact development patterns across regions.