The 3 Levels of Development
1) Developed Countries
These are the world’s countries that are considered to be at the highest social and
economic levels.
Characteristics
Economic Dev. – is largely based on the service sector and less on the industrial and
manufacturing services.
Social Dev. – Well developed education system
- Well developed health care system
- Well developed banking, transportation and information technologies
NOTE: The wealth and high standard of living of these countries have come at a
great cost. Developed countries have about 20% of the world’s population yet use
most of its resources and produces most of the world’s pollution.
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2) Newly Industrializing Countries
These are the world’s countries that are going through the process of becoming
developed. These countries have undergone enormous changes such as new government
regimes and the gaining of independence. This process can take many years.
- Since WW2, Taiwan, S. Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore have become developed.
- Currently, countries such as China, Malaysia, Brazil and Chile are doing the same.
Characteristics
Economic Dev. – is transitioning from a focus on industrial and manufactured based
sectors to service sectors.
Social Dev. – Education, health care, banking, transportation and information
technologies are all developing.
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3) Developing Countries
These are the world’s countries that are considered to be at the lowest social and
economic levels.
Characteristics
Economic Dev. – is largely based on primary services such as agriculture.
- Most new development is focused on the manufacturing sector as these
countries often have the raw materials needed (e.g. mining, forestry)
- There is little service sector as people have little to no money to spend.
Social Dev. – Education, health care, banking, transportation and information
technologies are almost nonexistent as governments do not have the money
to invest into these sectors as people are often too poor to pay taxes.
- Governments often rely on foreign aid to pay for these social developments.
- As such, what little money the government does make, often goes to
repayment of these loans instead of their own people.