Distribution of MDCs and LDCs

http://www.durham.anglican.org/userfiles/image/Durham%20Website/Mission%20and%20Ministry/Mission/8271%20steam%20and%20sand.jpg

Regions of Development

Nine major regions North America,

Europe (MDCs) Latin America, East

Asia, S.W. Asia/North Africa, S.E. Asia, Central Asia, South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa (LDCs)

Three ‘significant areas’ Japan, Oceania,

Russia

http://www.usp.org/sites/default/files/images/aroundTheWorld/RegionalActivities/

regional_activities_map_en.jpg

More Developed Regions

Nearly all developed regions are found north of 30 degrees N. latitude (north-south split)

MDCs in the north have relatively high HDIs

Southern countries have lower HDIs

http://school.edturtle.co.uk/images/north-south_800.jpg

South Africa is #123 in HDI (0.619)…why is it considered an MDC on this map?

More Developed cont’d

North America (HDI 0.95) U.S. – 13th in HDI

worldwide High in GDP Per

Capita and literacy rate

Lower in education and life expectancy▪ High school dropouts▪ Inadequate health-

care coverage

http://communitylink.com/us/nc/raleigh/profile/media/images/education.jpg

More Developed cont’d

Europe (HDI 0.93) European Union

makes Europe the world’s richest market

15 of the 19 highest HDIs are in Europe, but southern/eastern countries lag behind▪ Highly dependent on

international trade▪ Struggling recently with

recession and financial instability

http://www.anunews.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/aa-European-debt-crisis-dominoes-falling-

good-one.jpg

More Developed cont’d

Russia (HDI 0.73) Transitioned to a

market economy after Soviet Union collapsed in 1991

Painful struggle with high unemployment and corruption (HDI was above 0.9 in 1980s)

Slow rebound tied to oil production

http://www.etftrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/russia_01.jpg

More Developed cont’d

Japan (HDI 0.96) Different culture than

other MDCs Low ratio of population to

resources Strength: rigorous

education system, skilled labor force

Specialty: electronics, cars Oceania (HDI 0.90)

Australia and New Zealand (other islands lag behind)

Key exports: iron ore, lead, nickel, titanium

http://www.asianresearch.org/news_images/2003-10-9-japan_students.jpg

Less Developed Regions

Latin America (HDI 0.82) Highest HDI of LDC

regions Development levels

vary sharply▪ Coastal areas have

high GDP per capita▪ Development lags in

the interior areas▪ Economy is closely

linked to the U.S. (especially Mexico)

http://media.cnbc.com/i/CNBC/Sections/News_And_Analysis/_Blogs/Consumer_Nation/_Slideshows/

HottestRetailMarkets_2011/CNBC_attractive_countries_retail_2011_peru.jpg

Less Developed cont’d

East Asia (HDI 0.77) Main player: China

(2nd largest economy)

World’s largest manufacturer (tied closely to Wal-Mart)

Problems:▪ Low wages▪ Weak management▪ Primitive banking

system▪ High levels of

pollution

http://www.giftsanddec.com/photo/383/383839-Wal_Mart_China.jpg

Less Developed cont’d

S.W. Asia/N. Africa Key: Oil reserves Huge gap between oil

producing and non-producing countries

Impact of Islamic faith:▪ Daily prayers disrupt

business activities▪ Women excluded from

jobs and public places▪ Result: development is

lower than it could be

http://www.makkahmasjid.co.uk/coppermine/albums/Makkah_Masjid_Album1/P1010011.jpg

Less Developed cont’d

Southeast Asia (HDI 0.73) Indonesia, Vietnam,

Thailand, Philippines Climate is hot and

rainy (difficult for farming)

1930s-1980s: nearly continuous warfare

Key exports: palm oil, rubber, tin, rice, textiles

http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/Global/usa/planet3/photos-forests/palm-fruit.jpg

Less Developed cont’d

Central Asia (HDI 0.75) Many former republics of

the Soviet Union Iran and Kazakhstan are

fairly well-developed (reason: oil production)

Iran has used wealth to promote revolution, drive out western influences

Afghanistan: HDI unknown (war and instability)

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02100/iran-oil_2100448b.jpg

Less Developed cont’d

South Asia (HDI 0.61) India, Pakistan,

Bangladesh, Sri Lanka 2nd highest population,

2nd lowest GDP per capita

Big beneficiary of the Green Revolution ▪ India now has 4th largest

economy▪ Leading exporter of rice,

wheat, services (telemarketing)

http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/40_2008/Indian-Call-Centers.jpg

Less Developed cont’d

Sub-Saharan Africa (HDI 0.51) High levels of poverty,

poor health, low education levels, war, instability

Landlocked states are most vulnerable

#1 problem – entire region has dry or tropical climates▪ Cannot support large

concentrations of people▪ Africa – world’s highest

natural increase rate

http://static.guim.co.uk/Guardian/travel/gallery/2007/aug/21/africa/BN17748_4a-1122.jpg