1. The North-South Gap Classifying Countries
Global Inequalities
The North-South Gap
Classifying Countries

2. Global Inequities
One result of the Global Village has been the increasing gap between rich and poor
Both on a local and global scale
Wealthy countries are concentrated in one part of the world, while poor countries seem to be concentrated in another
Some of the poorest countries have not been able to take advantage of new communications technologies to be competitive

3. Global Inequities According the UN Human Development Report (1996):
The richest 20% of countries control 85% of the global income
The share of the poorest 20% of the world’s people had deceased from 2.3% to 1.4%
The shift towards a global world economy threatens to widen this gap

4. The North-South Gap
The 20% that owns almost 85% of the worlds wealth live almost entirely in the industrialized nations in the northern hemisphere (in addition to Australia and New Zealand)
The poorest 20% of people in the world are located in the southern hemisphere

5. Northern Hemisphere
You Live Here
Southern Hemisphere

6. North-South Gap
Because of the great discrepancy between the “have” and have-not” nations of the world, this is often referred to as the North-South Gap

7. North-South Gap
The Northern countries have the greatest wealth, highest standard of living, and the greatest industrial development – but the lowest population
The southern countries have the bulk of the world’s population, but less of the wealth, low standard of living, and far less industrial development

8. Something to think about?
Consider what your life would be like if you were born in another part of the world?
What types of things do we rely and use on a daily basis?
Are these necessities or luxuries?
How would your daily routine compare to someone living in a “have not” country?

9. North-South Gap

10. Classifying Countries
Countries are classified in terms of social, economic, and political structures
The older system used the terms:
First World (U.S., Canada, U.K.)
Second World (Communist States such as China, Russia)
Third, Fourth and even Fifth World (Afghanistan, Ethiopia)

11. Classifying Countries
The current system uses the following terms:
More Developed Countries (MDCs)
Richest of industrialized nations, high quality of life, good health care, highly educated population
Less Developed Countries (LDCs)
Little industrial development, little wealth, high population growth
Least Developed Countries (LLDCs)
Includes 36 extremely poor countries, low income, low literacy rates, and little industry

12. Classifying Countries
We can also classify countries as developed and less developed
Developed Country
Rich
North
Industrial
Good roads, transportation
High Energy Consumption
Oil, coal, nuclear
Good health care
Clean Water
Developing Country
Poor
South
Agricultural
Poor roads, transportation
Little Energy
Wood, wind, animal, human energy
Disease and Famine
Polluted or little water