Grade 9 Geography - Human Development

Geography - Human Development

Introduction to Development

  • Definition: Development refers to how countries improve and become better or stronger.
  • Measurement of Development: Specific aspects or factors that aim to enhance the quality of life and standards of living in countries.

Aspects Used to Measure Development

Economic Development

  • Definition: Measures a country's wealth and expectations for future growth.
  • GDP (Gross Domestic Product):
    • Total value of all goods and services produced within a country.
    • GDP per capita: Average income earned by each person in a year, calculated based on monetary circulation or production in the country.
    • Per Capita Income: Average amount of money earned by an individual in a given year.

Sectors of Economic Activity

  • Primary Sector: Involves extracting natural resources or raw materials.
    • Examples: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing.
  • Secondary Sector: Involves processing raw materials into goods.
    • Examples: Manufacturing, Construction, Food Processing.
  • Tertiary Sector: Focuses on the selling of goods and provision of services.
    • Examples: Retail, Healthcare, Education.
  • Quaternary Sector: Involves activities related to research, science, and technology.
    • Examples: IT, Research and Development.

Factors Influencing GDP

  • Working Population Size: The number of individuals who are employed and contributing to the economy.
  • Salaries & Purchasing Power: The ability of individuals to buy goods relative to their income.
  • Total Sales of Products and Services: The overall economic activity measured through sales.
  • Education / Literacy Rate: The level of education can significantly impact an economy’s productivity and growth.
  • Tourism: The influx of visitors can contribute crucially to GDP.

Development Classifications

  • Brandt Line: Conceptual division of the world into the Global North (wealthier countries) and Global South (developing countries).
    • Academic categories: 1st World, 2nd World, 3rd World.

Social Development

Definition

  • Social development encompasses the quality of life and overall well-being of the population.
  • Focuses on human rights, education, service delivery, and infrastructure.

Human Development Index (HDI)

  • Definition: A composite measurement of well-being in a country.
  • Indicators:
    • GDP per capita
    • Education levels
    • Life expectancy
  • HDI is expressed on a scale from 0 to 1 (0 being the lowest and 1 the highest).
  • Example: South Africa's HDI for 2024 is 0.741.

Life Expectancy

  • Definition: The average number of years an individual is expected to live, measured from birth to death.
  • Influenced by factors such as:
    • Access to healthcare
    • Quality of nutrition
    • Quality of education

Infant Mortality Rate

  • Definition: Measures the number of deaths of children under one year of age per 1,000 live births in a given year.
  • Influencing factors include:
    • Access to quality healthcare
    • Standards of sanitation
    • Overall quality of life.

Gini Coefficient

  • Definition: A measure of income inequality within a population, represented as a value between 0 and 1.
    • 0 indicates perfect equality; 1 indicates perfect inequality.

Literacy Rates

  • Definition: The percentage of adults in a population who can read and write coherently.

Mortality Rate Factors

  • Increase Mortality Rate Factors:
    • Poor access to quality healthcare
    • Poor sanitation
    • High prevalence of diseases
    • Socio-economic issues (criminality, poverty)
  • Decrease Mortality Rate Factors:
    • Improved access to healthcare
    • Better sanitation and hygiene
    • Effective disease combat strategies
    • Government investments in healthcare.

Birth Rates

Reasons for Increase

  • Lack of access to contraception and family planning.
  • Cultural practices, such as larger families to compensate for child mortality.
  • Economic factors wherein children contribute to family income.

Reasons for Decrease

  • Increased access to contraception and education.
  • Low infant mortality, indicating children are more likely to survive.
  • Societal status of women and education levels.

Sustainable Development

  • Definition: Development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
  • Considerations must include economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  • Adopted in 2015 by UN Member States:
    • Goal 1: No Poverty
    • Goal 2: Zero Hunger
    • Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being
    • Goal 4: Quality Education
    • Goal 5: Gender Equality
    • Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
    • Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
    • Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
    • Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
    • Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
    • Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
    • Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
    • Goal 13: Climate Action
    • Goal 14: Life Below Water
    • Goal 15: Life On Land
    • Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
    • Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Sustainable Development Goal 10

  • Focuses on reducing inequality within and among countries.
  • Highlights the risk of vulnerable populations facing deeper inequalities, including refugees, indigenous peoples, older persons, and children.
  • Addresses the rise in hate speech against vulnerable groups.
  • Successful strategies for reducing inequalities in some dimensions are noted; however, challenges remain, particularly in Lower Economically Developed Countries (LEDCs).

Comparison of MEDCs and LEDCs

MEDCs (More Economically Developed Countries)

  • Birth Rate: Low (10-16 births per 1,000 people)
  • Death Rate: Low due to good healthcare.
  • Infant Mortality Rate: Very few children die before age 5.
  • Life Expectancy: Generally high due to good medical care.
  • Housing and Literacy: Adequate housing, high access to education.
  • GNP: Over $10,000 (e.g., North America, Europe, Australasia).

LEDCs (Less Economically Developed Countries)

  • Birth Rate: High (20-45 births per 1,000 people).
  • Death Rate: High due to poor health care and disease prevalence.
  • Infant Mortality Rate: High proportion of children die before age 5 (approx. 35,000 babies die daily due to healthcare issues).
  • Life Expectancy: Generally low due to poor medical care.
  • Housing and Literacy: Often inadequate housing, low literacy rates.
  • GNP: Under $1,250 (predominantly found in Africa and parts of Asia).