What is a Developed and Underdeveloped Country

There are almost 200 sovereign nations in the world. All of them can be grouped according to criteria of human development related to health, education and the standard of living. These general criteria are specified in certain parameters and the final calculation of the same implies a Human Development Index or HDI.

There is a ranking of nations according to the HDI. Those with a high HDI are considered developed nations and those with a low HDI are underdeveloped nations. Between the two groups are developing countries.

Developed countries

Those countries with a life expectancy greater than 80 years, with low infant mortality, with a low rate of illiteracy, high purchasing power, low crime and low unemployment are considered developed. Such consideration has a simple explanation, since the different parameters translate into a good quality of life among its inhabitants.

Some nations that are traditionally grouped within this category are the following: Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Australia, Denmark, Singapore, the Netherlands, and Canada. Despite the fact that the HDI of these nations is high, especially the income data

per capitaDo not forget that the idea of ​​quality of life has a subjective component.

In other words, the inhabitants of a country can be rich and with all kinds of material resources and, at the same time, feeling dissatisfied with their lives.

Underdeveloped countries

Certain parameters are incompatible with the general idea of ​​quality of life. In this sense, a per capita income of less than $ 5,000 per year, a low number of doctors per inhabitant and a low level of schooling are indicators clearly negative.

Its negative dimension is not simply a matter of numbers, since these indicators are usually accompanied by scarce resources materials, social unrest and problems related to health. On the other hand, the issue of underdevelopment is directly related to three other factors: the lack of democracy, unemployment and limited access to drinking water.

According to official UN data, some of the most underdeveloped countries in the world are the following: Somalia, Ethiopia, Chad and Liberia on the African continent; Yemen, Afghanistan and Pakistan in Asia; Haiti, Honduras and Guatemala in America and Albania, Bosnia and Moldova in Europe.

For some analysts, the HDI should be more than facts and figures

Although the HDI concept is useful to know the global reality of a country and its evolution Over time, some analysts consider that it is information that must be complemented with other criteria related to freedom of expression, justice or solidarity.

Photo Fotolia: M-SUR

Issues in Developed and Underdeveloped Country