Development » Development Differences and Gap

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

How to define and measure development
The causes of the global development gap
How to classify countries by development level
Key development indicators and what they tell us
Case studies of development disparities
Strategies to reduce the development gap

Understanding Development Differences

Our world is divided by huge differences in wealth, health and opportunity. While some people enjoy high living standards, others struggle to meet basic needs. This uneven pattern of development is what geographers call the "development gap".

Key Definitions:

Development: The process of improving the quality of life and well-being of a population.
Development gap: The difference in standards of living and wellbeing between the world's richest and poorest countries.
Global North/South divide: A broad division between wealthy developed nations (mostly in the northern hemisphere) and poorer developing nations (mostly in the southern hemisphere).

Measuring Development

How do we know if a country is "developed"? Geographers use various indicators to measure and compare development levels:

💲 Economic Indicators

GDP per capita: The total value of goods and services produced by a country divided by its population.

GNI per capita: Similar to GDP but includes income from overseas investments.

Economic structure: The balance between primary, secondary and tertiary industries.

🏥 Social Indicators

Life expectancy: The average number of years a person can expect to live.

Literacy rate: The percentage of adults who can read and write.

Infant mortality rate: The number of deaths of infants under one year old per 1,000 live births.

Beyond Simple Measures: Composite Indicators

Single indicators can be misleading, so geographers often use composite indicators that combine multiple measures:

📊 Human Development Index (HDI)

Created by the United Nations, HDI combines:

Life expectancy
Education (years of schooling)
Standard of living (GNI per capita)

HDI scores range from 0 to 1, with higher scores indicating greater development.

🌎 Other Composite Measures

Gender Inequality Index (GII): Measures gender disparities.

Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI): Identifies overlapping deprivations in health, education and living standards.

Happy Planet Index: Measures sustainable wellbeing (life expectancy, wellbeing, inequality and ecological footprint).

Classifying Countries by Development

Countries are often grouped based on their level of development:

🏢 High-Income Countries (HICs)

Mostly industrialised nations with high GDP per capita, strong service sectors and good healthcare and education systems.

Examples: UK, Japan, Australia, Germany

🏥 Newly Emerging Economies (NEEs)

Rapidly industrialising countries experiencing fast economic growth and increasing living standards.

Examples: China, India, Brazil, Mexico

🏠 Low-Income Countries (LICs)

Countries with low GDP per capita, limited industrialisation and challenges in providing basic services.

Examples: Niger, Malawi, Afghanistan, Haiti

Causes of the Development Gap

The development gap didn't happen by accident. Several interconnected factors have created and maintained these disparities:

📅 Historical Factors

Colonialism: Many LICs were colonised by European powers who extracted resources and disrupted local economies.
Slavery: The forced removal of millions of people damaged African societies and benefited colonial powers.
Post-colonial boundaries: Artificially created borders led to conflict and instability.

🌍 Physical Factors

Climate: Extreme climates can limit agricultural productivity and increase disease.
Natural disasters: Some regions face frequent hazards like earthquakes, hurricanes and droughts.
Landlocked location: Countries without sea access face higher trade costs.
Resource distribution: Uneven distribution of valuable natural resources.

📈 Economic Factors

Trade relationships: Unfair trade terms often disadvantage LICs.
Debt: Many LICs spend large portions of their budgets on debt repayments.
Dependency on primary products: Reliance on raw materials with fluctuating prices.
Multinational corporations: Can exploit workers and resources in LICs.

👥 Political and Social Factors

Political instability: Conflict and corruption discourage investment.
Poor governance: Ineffective governments struggle to provide services.
Population growth: Rapid growth can strain resources and services.
Social inequality: Discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, or religion.

Case Study Focus: The North-South Divide in the UK

Development gaps don't just exist between countries - they occur within countries too. The UK has a significant North-South divide:

South: Higher average incomes, more job opportunities (especially in finance and technology), better health outcomes and longer life expectancy.
North: Lower average incomes, higher unemployment (especially following deindustrialisation), poorer health outcomes and shorter life expectancy.

The UK government has attempted to address this through regional development policies and the "Northern Powerhouse" initiative, which aims to boost economic growth in northern cities.

Consequences of the Development Gap

The development gap has far-reaching impacts on people's lives:

😷 Health Impacts

People in LICs often face:

Limited access to healthcare
Higher rates of preventable diseases
Malnutrition and food insecurity
Lower life expectancy

🎓 Social Impacts

Development gaps contribute to:

Limited educational opportunities
Gender inequality
Migration (both internal and international)
Social unrest and conflict

Case Study Focus: Development in Nigeria

Nigeria is Africa's largest economy and most populous country, but development is highly uneven:

Economic: Oil wealth has created economic growth, but benefits are not widely shared. The country has a growing middle class alongside extreme poverty.
Regional disparities: The south (especially Lagos) is more developed than the north, which faces security challenges from groups like Boko Haram.
Urban-rural divide: Urban areas have better access to services than rural regions.
Development indicators: HDI of 0.539 (2019), placing it in the low human development category despite its oil wealth.

This case demonstrates how economic growth alone doesn't guarantee equitable development.

Strategies to Reduce the Development Gap

Various approaches aim to reduce development disparities:

💰 Investment

Foreign direct investment: Companies investing in factories and businesses in LICs.

Microfinance: Small loans to help people start businesses.

Industrial development zones: Areas with special incentives to attract investment.

🌐 Aid

Bilateral aid: From one country to another.

Multilateral aid: Through international organisations like the UN.

NGO projects: Targeted development initiatives by non-governmental organisations.

📦 Fair Trade

Trading partnerships that ensure producers in LICs receive fair prices and decent working conditions.

Helps communities invest in education, healthcare and sustainable farming practices.

Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, the United Nations adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be achieved by 2030. These goals provide a blueprint for addressing global challenges including poverty, inequality, climate change and environmental degradation.

Key SDGs related to the development gap include:

Goal 1: No Poverty
Goal 2: Zero Hunger
Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
Goal 4: Quality Education
Goal 5: Gender Equality
Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities

Exam Tip

When discussing the development gap in your exam:

Always use specific examples and case studies to support your points
Include a range of development indicators (both economic and social)
Consider different perspectives on development (economic growth vs wellbeing)
Discuss both causes and consequences of development disparities
Evaluate the effectiveness of different strategies to reduce the gap

🧠 Test Your Knowledge!