Topic 2 - Measuring Development Flashcards
What is Development?
Development is when a Country is improving.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
- What is it?
- What is it a measure of?
- As a country develops, it gets…
- The total value of goods and services a country produces in a year. Its often given in US$.
- It is a measure of wealth.
- As it develops it gets higher.
GDP per capita
- What is it?
- What is it a measure of?
- As a country develops, it gets…
- The GDP divided by the population of a country. It’s often given in US$ and is sometimes called GDP per head.
- It is a measure of wealth
- As a country develops it gets higher.
Why do developing countries have higher fertility and birth rates?
Because there’s no use of contraception.
Why is the death rate high in developing countries?
The death rate is high due to poor health care and life expectancy is low.
Why do emerging countries see fertility rates fall rapidly?
This happens because women have a more equal place in society and a better education. Also the use of contraceptives increases
How does life expectancy rate rise in developing countries?
The health care improves
Why are fertility rates low in developed countries?
They are low because people want possessions and a high quality of life
Why is death rate so low in developed countries?
Health care is good, so death rate is low and life expectancy is high.
How could climate effect how developed a country is?
If a country has a poor climate (really hot or really cold or really dry) not much will grow. This reduces the amount of food produced, which can lead to malnutrition. People who are malnourished have a low quality of life.
How could topography (shape of land) affect how developed a country is?
If the land of a country is steep then it won’t produce a lot of food. Steep land can also make it difficult to develop infrastructure, e.g. roads, power lines. This can limit trade and make it hard to provide basic services.
How can education affect how developed a country is?
Educating people produces a more skilled workforce, meaning the country can produce more goods and offer more services (e.g. ICT). This can bring money into the country through trade or investment.
How could health affect how developed a country is?
In some poor countries lack of clean water and poor health care mean that many people suffer from diseases such as malaria and cholera. People who are ill cannot work so they do not contribute to the economy. They may also need expensive medicine or health care.
How could colonialism affect how developed a country is?
Countries that were colonised (ruled by a foreign country) are often at a lower level of development when they gain independence than they would be if they had not been colonised.
How could economic and political factors affect how developed a country is?
Corrupt governments can hinder development, e.g. by taking money that’s intended for building new infrastructure or improving facilities for people. Countries with good international relations are more likely to get good trade agreements. They can also get loans from international organisations to invest in development projects.
