Global Population and Economic Disparities
Uneven Population Distribution and Growth
Natural population growth has been unevenly distributed, especially in Asia. China and India, part of the demographic giants, together hold 40% of the world’s population. Most northern states, Western Europe, North America, and Japan have low population growth (due to low birth rates and higher mortality), the opposite of Africa and parts of South Asia that continue to have high growth exceeding 2.1% per year. China and India have had to resort to policies limiting births. The progress of medicine has lowered infant mortality and allowed for prolonged life expectancy.
Urbanization and Megalopolises
About 60% of people on the planet live in cities. In the north, cities concentrate economic power and wealth and continue to develop, sometimes forming megalopolises. In the south, large cities experience even faster growth.
Globalization and the Triad’s Dominance
The European Union, East Asia, and North America form a triad that concentrates three-quarters of world trade. The free movement of goods, services, and investment between countries on a global scale is called the globalization of trade. This globalization is accelerating even today because the constraints imposed by national boundaries and rules tend to disappear, particularly with the action of the World Trade Organization (WTO). This erasure of borders benefits multinationals, which forcefully impose themselves through planetary trademarks and conquer new markets.
Criticisms of Economic Liberalism and the WTO
Some people criticize those who oppose universal rules organized according to economic liberalism. The WTO is accused of not having a long-term vision of the economy, being based solely on money, and being indirectly responsible for the increase in inequality between poor and rich countries.
The North-South Divide
The richest countries are in the northern hemisphere, except for New Zealand and Australia. They are often called “countries of the North,” as opposed to “countries of the South,” which are generally poorer. The North’s domination of communication networks, experience with new technologies, and the power of multinationals allow the triad to hold 80% of the world’s wealth. Unfortunately, despite the existence of poor countries, the population of these northern countries generally benefits from a high standard of living.
Challenges Faced by Developing Countries
The southern countries represent the majority of states and are home to about 80% of the world’s population. They are mainly located south of the Triad (Central and Latin America, Africa, Asia, Oceania). However, they do not form a homogeneous group. Emerging countries like Brazil and China experience strong economic growth. A middle class has formed and is the engine of economic development, but the overall standard of living of the population remains poor, and some significant challenges persist. About 2.7 billion people live on less than two dollars a day. The least developed countries (LDCs), which have a very low GNP, are primarily located in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. These regions suffer from severe hunger, with 850 million people suffering from malnutrition. Access to hospitals and school attendance is almost always insufficient. Life expectancy is 55 years, while in rich countries it is 74 years. Wars sometimes make the situation even worse and more difficult.