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: average number of years a person lives What could be some reasons why a countries life expectancy is low?
Literacy Rate: The ability to read and write. How could a low literacy rate affect the economy of a country?
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: Average income of a person for a year. What factors could affect the average income of a person?
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?
The different economic indicators you saw help you to determine if a country is developing, developed or under- developed.
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 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
Push factor countries Pull factor countries Iraq Ethiopia Rwanda Cuba Mexico U.S.A. Australia Canada United Kingdom