Measuring Levels of Economic Development

A society’s economic level and activity can be measured by using various indicators.

Those indicators allow us to measure if a country is developed, developing, or under-developed.

The most common economic indicators to use are: Life Expectancy Literacy Rate Purchasing Power Infrastructure

Let’s look at each one and what it means.

Life Expectancy

Life Expectancy: average number of years a person lives What could be some reasons why a countries life expectancy is low?

Literacy Rate

Literacy Rate: The ability to read and write. How could a low literacy rate affect the economy of a country?

Purchasing Power

Gross Domestic Product

Gross Domestic Product (GDP): The total value of the goods and services produced in a country during a given time period. Which is better—a high GDP or a low GDP?

Annual Income

Annual Income: Average income of a person for a year. What factors could affect the average income of a person?

Infrastructure

Infrastructure: The basic facilities, services, and installations needed for the functioning of a community or society. What do you consider to be basic services a country needs to function?

Developing, Developed, Under-developed

The different economic indicators you saw help you to determine if a country is developing, developed or under-developed.

Developed: high literacy rate, life expectancy; strong infrastructure Here’s what those words mean: Developed: high literacy rate, life expectancy; strong infrastructure

Developing: Countries with few jobs, poor services, low literacy rate and life expectancy but the country is working to improve its peoples lives.

Under-developed:country that hasn’t yet started to improve the life of its people.

Push & Pull Factors

Push factors: problems in an area that cause people to emigrate, or move away from, an area. i.e. war, famine, poverty, schooling, political or cultural oppression Pull factors: advantages that cause people to immigrate, or move to, an area. i.e. higher standard of living, freedom, peace, educational opportunities, safety

Iraq U.S.A. Ethiopia Australia Rwanda Canada Cuba United Kingdom Push factor countries Pull factor countries Iraq Ethiopia Rwanda Cuba Mexico U.S.A. Australia Canada United Kingdom

Day Two Practice Graphs