Underdeveloped Countries: Challenges and Development

Features of Underdeveloped Countries

Income Disparity

Per capita income, while an imperfect indicator, is used to rank countries based on development. It doesn’t fully address quality of life, but there’s a clear link between purchasing power and living standards. The World Bank categorizes economies by gross national product per capita: low-income, middle-income, and high-income. Income inequality is stark between rich and poor nations, exceeding disparities within countries. While vast, these differences in purchasing power are significantly reduced when adjusted.

Key Characteristics

• Low Productivity: Outdated production systems hinder productivity and purchasing power.
• Agricultural Dominance: Agriculture and livestock employ most of the population but generate a small percentage of GDP in low-income countries.
• Limited Manufacturing: Technological and resource limitations restrict complex manufacturing.
• High Illiteracy Rates: Low literacy contributes to low income and hinders social development.
• Population Growth: Declining mortality rates combined with high birth rates lead to significant population increases.
• Food Insecurity: Unequal food distribution causes widespread malnutrition despite sufficient global production.
• Low Life Expectancy: Limited purchasing power, poor education, and inadequate healthcare contribute to health problems and reduced life expectancy.

Food Security

Agriculture’s primary role is to feed the population. Its modernization is crucial for economic progress, especially in underdeveloped countries where most of the poor rely on agriculture for their livelihood.

FAO and Food Security

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations assists developing countries. The FAO defines food security as everyone having access to sufficient food for an active, healthy life. This requires food availability, stability, and accessibility. The main challenge isn’t lack of production, but unequal distribution.

Current Situation

Increased agricultural production has improved per capita food supplies in less developed countries. However, this hasn’t necessarily increased the proportion of the well-nourished population. According to the FAO, chronic malnutrition is lower than thirty years ago, but food distribution remains a critical issue. Undernourishment is defined as food consumption below the level needed to maintain body weight and light activity.

Marginalization and Poverty in Developed Countries

Relative poverty is a widely used concept. Absolute poverty refers to lacking essential goods like housing, food, and clothing. However, poverty is fundamentally relative because needs vary based on location and socio-cultural factors, influencing what’s considered a minimally decent life.