classifying countries - unit 4 AOS 1

Question 1

world bank system for classifying countries

Answer 1

• Countries can be classified and compared using the world bank system which classifies countries according to their gross national income per capita (GNI)

Question 2

gross national income per capita

Answer 2

• refers to the income
  of all residents from a country
  divided by its population, giving an
  average income for a single person
  of that country

Question 3

GNI for high, middle and low income countries

Answer 3

high: $12 696 or more
upper middle: $4096–$12 695
lower middle: $1046–$4095
low: $1045 or less

Question 3

limitations of this method

Answer 3

• GNI is based on average incomes which means variations and inequalities within countries are not acknowledged.

Question 3

characteristics of high middle and low income countries

Answer 3

• economic characteristics - relates to the financial and economic state of a counties taking into account things like income, levels of poverty and trade.
• social characteristics - refers to the collective conditions and values that people maintain in their country taking into account things like gender equality, education and employment.
• environmental characteristics - refers to conditions of the physical environment taking into account things like food security and access to safe water and sanitation.

Question 4

economic characteristics

Answer 4

• levels of poverty: high income countries have lower levels of poverty compared to high and middle income countries
• income: high income countries have higher GNI per capita compared to lower income countries.
• opportunities for trade: high income countries have better access to roads and transport systems, giving them more opportunities for global trade compared to low income countries and to a lesser extent middle income countries (where these opportunities are developing)
• range of industries: High-income countries often have a wide range of industries including mining, processing, manufacturing, education, healthcare, scientific research and technology. Low-income countries, on the other hand, often have a limited range of industries, usually centred on farming and primary production.

Question 5

social characteristics

Answer 5

• gender equality: gender equality is more evident in high income countries, however in many low income countries and some middle income counties, females are not given the same opportunities as men
• birth and population rates: lower income countries have higher birth and population rates
• education and employment levels: both education and employment levels increase with income.
• health systems: in high income countries, people are usually able to access basic healthcare however low income countries and to a lesser extent middle income countries have less access to this.
• access to technology: Technology is more accessible in high-income countries due to a combination of economic resources, infrastructure and education. Low-income countries often lack access to technology, and this impacts on the ability of citizens to gain an education and earn an income.
• legal systems: high income countries usually have string legal systems. Many low-income countries and, to a lesser extent, middle-income countries, lack a strong legal system, and the health and wellbeing of their citizens can be affected as a result.

Question 6

environmental characteristics

Answer 6

• food security: People in high-income countries generally have access to a quality food supply. Those in low-income countries, however, often lack food security.
• carbon dioxide emissions: Due to the range of industries in high-income countries, these countries emit greater amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) per person into the atmosphere. Low- and middle-income countries are often the most affected by climate change as they lack the economic resources to effectively deal with the associated impacts.
• access to safe water and sanitation: afe water and sanitation are characteristics of high-income and many middle-income countries.
• housing and infrastructure: Compared to high-income countries, many people in low- and middle-income countries lack access to adequate housing and infrastructure.

Question 7

similarities and differences: life expectancy and HALE

Answer 7

similarities:
- female life expectancy and HALE are high in all income countries.
- most countries in all income groups have experiences an increase in life expectancy and HALE over time

Differences:
- high income countries experience high life expectancy and HALE compare to lower and middle income countries. Lower and middle income counties are also more susceptible to fluctuations (e.g due to conflict)

Question 8

similarities and differences: child morbidity and mortality

Answer 8

similarities:
- U5MR has improved in most counties in all income groups

differneces:
- Low-income countries and to a lesser extent, middle income counties experience high levels of U5MR compared to high income counties.
- Low- and middle-income countries experience less food security, increasing under-nourishment leading to underdeveloped immune systems.
- High income countries such as Australia are more likely to experience U5MR due to congenital malformations, premature births and accidental causes such as injuries and poisoning.

Question 9

similarities and differences: adult morbidity and mortality

Question 10

similarities and differences: burden of disease