The developed countries. Developing countries How many developing countries

At the same time inherited educated population and many other features of developed countries. In addition, developing countries have preferences when exporting to developed countries.

But there is no strict definition, and in practice countries that are not members of the OECD are usually referred to as developing countries. Therefore, in line with the requirements for OECD membership, it can be concluded that developing countries tend to have low standards of democratic governments, free market economies, industrialization, social programs and guarantees of human rights for their citizens. At the same time, countries with low average GDP per capita, such as Mexico and Turkey, were admitted to the OECD, civil wars and clashes in which call into question the degree to which human and civil rights and freedoms are ensured (the right to life, which is ignored), democracy and lack of corruption. Therefore, there is no single generally accepted definition of this term, and the level of development of the so-called developing countries can vary widely. Some developing countries are not underdeveloped and have average standards of living, and developing Qatar ranks first in the world in terms of GDP per capita. There are quite a lot of such countries with high GDP per capita and a high standard of living among developing countries. Therefore, the most characteristic feature of a developing country is the structure of morbidity and mortality, which is not typical for developed countries, and if in developing countries with high GDP per capita, migrants suffer from diseases that are practically absent in developed countries, then in the CIS countries and many countries East Asia and Africa, epidemics of these diseases affect the indigenous population. But among the countries with the most unfavorable epidemiological situation are not only Russia and other CIS countries, Haiti, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, China, Brazil, Ethiopia, Zaire, South Africa, but also OECD member Mexico.

Countries with more developed economies than others, but which have not yet fully demonstrated the characteristics of a developed country, are grouped under the general term “newly industrialized countries.” At the same time, there is an opinion that the politically correct term “Developing country” is not applicable to any country that is underdeveloped, since in a number of countries there is practically no development. Such countries, while recognized as developing, are at the same time classified as least developed countries or failed states.

Development requires modern infrastructure. The developed countries, in comparison, tend to have economic systems based on constant, self-sustaining economic growth.

China calls itself the largest developing country.

Encyclopedic YouTube

1 / 4

✪ Why markets in developing countries may be more interesting for IT startups than Europe and the USA

✪ third world country

✪ USDINR - nuances of forex trading with the Indian rupee

✪ A collapse in the financial market as a harbinger of World War 3?

Subtitles

Definition

There are no established rules for defining "developed" or "developing" countries or regions in the UN system

It is noted that:

The designations "developed" and "developing" country are for statistical convenience only and do not necessarily convey a judgment about the stage a particular country or area has reached in the development process.

1. per capita income,
2. export diversification; thus, oil exporters with a high GDP per capita will not receive a high rating in the classification, since over 70% of their exports are oil,
3. level of integration into the global financial system.

Developing countries or third world countries characterized by a low level of socio-economic development. Despite their number, vast territory and population (80% of the Earth's population), they account for less than a third.

The main characteristics of a developing country are:

• Colonial or semi-colonial past
• Agricultural and raw material orientation of the economy
• Multistructure of the economy: pre-industrial type of production is adjacent to industrial and post-industrial
• Heterogeneity of the social structure of society
• Poor labor quality
• Social tension
• Dependence on countries with developed market economies, especially on foreign loans

List of developing countries

Developing countries mainly include countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

The most advanced in an economic sense are newly industrialized countries(NIS), which achieved high growth rates (more than 7% per year) through the effective use of national competitive advantages (excess cheap labor, geographical location) and targeted restructuring of the economy in favor of knowledge-intensive technologies and services.

• First wave: Hong Kong (Hong Kong), South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan;
• Second generation: Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia, Thailand, India, Chile;
• Third generation: Cyprus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Indonesia;
• Fourth generation: Philippines, southern China;

Oil producing countries

Oil-producing countries are, first of all, countries that are members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (). Due to oil exports, they have a level comparable to developed countries. The one-sided nature of economic development does not allow them to be classified as developed countries.

Name developed countries

50 countries in Africa, Oceania, Latin America. They have an extremely backward patriarchal economy, which is characterized by low GDP per capita (less than $350). The share of the manufacturing industry is less than 10%. Literacy of the adult population does not exceed 20%.

The main economic strategies of developing countries are: nationalization of resources captured by foreign capital, industrialization and sectoral diversification of the economy, protectionism, overvalued exchange rates, import substitution and the development of export-oriented industries. The idea of ​​collective self-reliance implies regional integration of developing countries.

Modern states are usually divided into developed and developing. The former are traditionally viewed as the leaders of the world economy, the latter as those that may someday claim the corresponding status. But what are the criteria for dividing states into developed and developing? How is it possible to reduce the gap between some countries and others?

Principles of economic classification of countries

So, modern economists also highlight developing countries. Based on what criteria is this classification acceptable? A similar scheme was introduced by the UN Economic and Social Council. The main criterion proposed by the experts of this organization is the degree of compliance national economy of a given state to market criteria and financial indicators: GDP per capita, the level of technology in industries, the quality of social institutions, etc. There is an IMF methodology, according to which the classification of countries in question ("developed and developing") is not used, instead It is practiced to classify states as advanced and those that do not fall under this category.

There are areas whose characteristics do not allow any state to be given leadership. For example, many demographic problems of developed and developing countries coincide. The situation is similar with climate resources and ecology - the situation in these areas is not always better in developed countries than in developing countries.

The developed countries

Nowadays, it is customary to include the developed states of the USA, Canada, Israel, Asian countries— Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. These states have at least 30 thousand dollars, a stable economy, and a high level of development of social institutions. The leading countries in economic and political terms are considered to be the G7 countries - the USA, Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Canada and Japan. The G7 states account for about 50% of global GDP.

Specifics of developed economies

Developed countries and developing countries differ, first of all. Why do states of the first type manage to be leaders? According to one common version, GDP indicators in developed countries are higher than in developing countries due to two main reasons: the availability of capital (which can be invested in various industries and thereby contribute to economic growth), as well as market openness (due to which one or another the business segment has the necessary consumer demand).

The actual structure of the economies of developed countries, as some researchers note, may not necessarily imply diversification. For example, the structure of Norway's GDP shows a strong dependence on oil exports. However, excessive emphasis in economic development on the relevant sector in Norway is not a problem due to the constancy of the sales markets, and also because the country has very large reserves.

The role of transnational corporations

A significant difference between developed countries and developing countries is that in states of the first type, transnational corporations play a leading role. Actually, in many respects it is their activity that predetermines the openness of foreign markets for countries of the corresponding category. Developing countries do not always have this resource. Another difference between developed countries and developing countries is the importance of the role of small and medium-sized enterprises. Small companies mean, firstly, a reduction in the social burden on the state (citizens employ themselves by opening a business, and also employ others), and secondly, they are an additional resource for collecting taxes.

The importance of social institutions

Developed countries and developing countries also differ at the level of social institutions - law, government, education. In states of the first type, as a rule, a fairly effective system of legislation has been introduced, optimally combining the necessary bureaucratic mechanisms and freedom of businesses from unnecessary formalities. In the public administration system, much attention is paid to the introduction of democratic institutions - and the emphasis is on the development of relevant initiatives at the local level, rather than at the national level. The most important condition for a state to maintain its developed status is a competitive education system. Its presence predetermines the formation of the best personnel who will be able to take a direct part in modernizing the economy and maintaining its highly developed status.

The role of the state in developed economies

We noted above that developed countries and developing countries differ in that the former have a large percentage of private businesses. At the same time, in most countries of this type, government institutions that carry out the necessary economic regulation play an extremely significant role. The main goal of such government activities is to create optimal conditions for commodity and monetary communications between businesses both within the state and with its trading partners. The government can regulate the economy through its own participation in economic processes through state-owned enterprises or implement certain legislative initiatives.

Liberalization of developed economies

The most important feature of the economic system of a developed state is openness to external markets. This reveals a liberal approach to the organization of the economic system in most countries of the corresponding type. However, the country must be ready for active communications in foreign markets, especially in terms of the competitiveness of goods produced by national enterprises.

The impact of globalization on developed and developing countries in this sense may be different. States of the first type, as a rule, are adapted to the competitive conditions of the global market, and therefore can feel quite comfortable in conditions where the economy must constantly improve in order to offer better products and services. Developing countries, due to a possible shortage of capital and, as a result, the level of technological development of production, are not always able to withstand competition in foreign markets.

Developing countries

Experts identify about 100 states that can be classified into the appropriate category. There are a large number of criteria by which a particular country can be defined as developing. Note that this term may suggest additional grounds for classification. For example, among developing countries, countries with economies in transition are distinguished - those in which for a long time the economic system developed according to the principles of socialism. Russia is one of these states. It is quite difficult to classify China according to the noted criterion. The fact is that in the PRC, a communist state, elements of both a market economy and a command-administrative economy coexist.

One of the criteria for classifying a country as developing is the same level of GDP per capita. However, not all economists consider it correct. The fact is that in some Middle Eastern countries - for example, in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain - GDP per capita is even higher than in the most developed European countries. However, these countries are nevertheless classified as developing. Therefore, many experts prefer other criteria to distinguish between economically developed and developing countries.

Among the common reasons is the level of development of social institutions. This factor, economists believe, can determine the stability, in turn, of the state’s economic system. That is, for example, with ineffective political management of the country and low quality of legislative regulation, the high GDP of the state may well decline due to the influence of certain factors (which could be counteracted if strong social institutions are built).

Some economists believe that the state's economic system should, although not be diversified, still - very desirable - be based on at least several leading industries. For example, the oil sector still plays a vital role in the economies of some Middle Eastern countries, which gives researchers a reason not to classify them as developed.

Criteria for classifying Russia as a developing country

Based on what criteria does the Russian Federation qualify as a developing state? In this case, we can talk about our country’s insufficient compliance with developed ones in terms of GDP per capita. Now it is about 24 thousand dollars - at purchasing power parity. At least 30 thousand are required to meet the status of a developed country according to this criterion.

As for social institutions, approaches to assessing them Russian version vary greatly. There are researchers who believe that the state and legal systems of the Russian Federation need to be modernized as soon as possible. Other experts believe that the Russian scheme of legislative regulation of the economy is optimal for the state, taking into account its historical and cultural characteristics. That is, simply copying the legal systems of developed countries may not be effective.

From the point of view of the role of small and medium-sized enterprises in the economy, the indicators of the Russian Federation are also objectively less outstanding than those that characterize many developed and developing countries of the world. This may be due to the long period under the USSR when private business was prohibited. Over the years of building a free market in the Russian Federation, a large class of entrepreneurs has simply not yet formed.

Regarding Russia’s access to world markets, recent political events indicate that it may be artificially limited Western states. As a result, Russia faces the task of creating new markets for itself. This is what our state, apparently, is doing, concluding new contracts with the BRICS states, developing cooperation within the EAEU together with Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan.

Russia has a number of unique technologies - this can be especially observed in the military sphere. Many of the relevant solutions have very few analogues in the West - for example, this applies to 5th generation aircraft. According to this criterion, it is, of course, difficult to classify the Russian Federation as a developing state. Many other high-tech products are produced in Russia - for example, Elbrus processors, which in a number of parameters are in no way inferior to chips from Intel and AMD.

Searching for new markets is relevant for everyone

We note, however, that in Lately free access to markets is a common problem among developed and developing countries. Whatever the potential of a particular segment, sooner or later it is exhausted. Even the most developed countries have to look for new markets. Those with a developed industrial sector may have a certain advantage. In industrialized and developing countries with a significant share of manufacturing enterprises in GDP, as a rule, there are always business players who are able to offer one or another competitive product to the world market. Thus, the availability of an appropriate resource is a criterion that is important for the development of countries of both types under consideration, if we talk about solving such a problem as finding new markets.

So, in accordance with the classification widespread among modern economists, there are developed, developing, and transition countries. In some cases, the boundary between them is not easy to find - for example, if we are talking about states with a large GDP, but social institutions that are not sufficiently perfect, by Western standards. In some cases, the economies of developed and developing countries may be generally comparable in terms of the presence of certain unique technologies in the latter.

However, the reality of the modern world economic system is such that there is a significant difference in the level of economic development of many states. In most cases, it is possible to identify the reasons that determined certain economic aspects. Overcoming them will be a key condition for increasing the dynamics of the country’s economic growth and possible inclusion in the elite category of developed ones.

Developing countries are characterized by high achievements in industry and agriculture. The standard of living and other economic indicators (for example, GDP) in such countries are constantly increasing. These include: Nigeria, Mexico, India, Russia, Brazil, China and others. In these countries, free market relations are flourishing, human rights are guaranteed, socio-economic programs are developing, industrialization and modernization are taking place.

Development can occur both through the export of any products and the introduction of trade to the international market, and through the attraction of foreign capital and investment. Governments are trying in every possible way to obtain external revenues in the form of credits, loans or subsidies.

Emerging economies

Each country is characterized by its own development characteristics. Let's consider those that are sometimes called “key” because they have high human, economic and raw materials potential.

• China. Despite the fact that this country is socialist, its economy is considered a market economy. With China's population aging and labor shortages predicted in the near future, the country is still among the world's leading economies. The mechanical engineering and electronics sectors are rapidly developing in it. The efficiency of the economy lies in the fact that banking system The country is very stable.
• Brazil. The country has a fairly high purchasing power, and the state constantly intervenes in the economic sphere. Brazil trades heavily internationally and exports sugar, steel, coffee and other goods to other countries. Since 2015, constant investments have also helped development.
• India. In the system of international economic relations it ranks important place, which contributes to the influx of foreign capital. A great help for development is a large working-age population, which helps all sectors of the economy develop. India actively exports oil, pharmaceuticals and textiles. The tourism sector and the software sector are also developing.

Classification of developing economies

All countries are different and their economies are heterogeneous, so it is quite difficult to classify them. Conventionally, we can distinguish the following types of developing economies:

• Effective. It is based on the production of high-quality goods and increasing their competitiveness in the international market. A country with such an economy is China.
• Industrial. As the name suggests, the main focus is on production: machines, steel, various types of raw materials. These countries are industrializing actively and efficiently.
• Slow. Technologies in countries of this type are improving slowly, and they do not compete well in the international market.
• Progressive. In such states, industry and all other spheres of life develop gradually. The political situation greatly influences the economic development of the country.

Thus, some similar features can be identified in the concept of a developing economy. Such countries use a variety of forms of ownership; industry and the service sector are developing faster than the extraction of natural resources and raw materials; innovations are applied everywhere, modern technologies are being introduced.

1. How does the economic way of life of the population of foreign countries in Europe and Africa differ?

Foreign Europe ranks first in the world economy in terms of industrial and agricultural production, exports of goods and services, and development international tourism.

The basis of the economy Foreign Europe- industry. The leading industry is mechanical engineering, which accounts for 1/3 of all industrial products and 2/3 of its exports. Foreign Europe is the birthplace of mechanical engineering, the world's largest manufacturer and exporter of machinery and industrial equipment.

One of the oldest industries in Foreign Europe is metallurgy. Ferrous metallurgy has developed in countries that traditionally have metallurgical fuel and raw materials: Germany, Great Britain, France, Luxembourg, Sweden, Poland, etc. last years The industry is seeing a shift towards ports. Large metallurgical plants were created in sea ​​ports(Genoa, Naples, Taranto in Italy, etc.) with a focus on imported raw materials and fuel. The most important branches of non-ferrous metallurgy - aluminum, lead-zinc and copper - have also received preferential development in countries with sources of mineral raw materials and cheap electricity (France, Hungary, Greece, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, Great Britain specialize in aluminum smelting; Germany, France, Poland are distinguished for the smelting of copper; Germany, Belgium - lead and zinc).

African countries, on the contrary, are distinguished not by manufacturing, but by extractive industries. Today, the volume of the mining industry is 1/4 of the world's production volume. In the extraction of many types of minerals, Africa has an important and sometimes monopoly place in the world. foreign world. It is the extractive industry that primarily determines Africa’s place in the MGRT.

The second branch of the economy that determines Africa's place in the world economy is tropical and subtropical agriculture. It also has a pronounced export orientation. But overall, Africa is lagging behind in its development. It ranks last among the regions of the world in terms of industrialization and agricultural productivity.

2. Which European countries had colonial possessions?

European countries that had colonial possessions: Spain, Portugal, Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Germany, Belgium, Italy.

How do you think

Are all countries in the world classified as developed or developing countries?

Not all countries are classified as developed or developing countries. A small group of countries are classified as lagging countries. It includes countries with a low level of socio-economic development, in which GDP per capita does not exceed $750. These countries are called underdeveloped. There are over 60 of them: for example, India, Vietnam, Pakistan, Lebanon, Jordan, Ecuador. This group includes the least developed countries. As a rule, they have a narrow and even monocultural economic structure and a high degree of dependence on external sources of financing.

Let's test your knowledge

1. What is gross domestic product?

Gross domestic product is a macroeconomic indicator that reflects the market value of all final goods and services (that is, intended for direct consumption) produced during the year in all sectors of the economy on the territory of the state for consumption, export and accumulation, regardless of the nationality of the factors of production used.

2. Which countries belong to the group of developed countries of the world?

Developed countries of the world: USA, Japan, Canada, Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy.

3. Which countries are called developing?

Developing countries include countries in which the value of GDP (GNP) per capita ranges from 8.5 thousand to 750 dollars. These countries include Greece, South Africa, Venezuela, Brazil, Chile, Oman, Libya. Adjacent to a large group of former socialist countries: for example, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Russia.

4. What are newly industrialized countries?

Newly industrialized countries (NICs) are a group of developing countries that have experienced a qualitative leap in socio-economic indicators over the past decades.

5. What are the characteristics of microcountries?

Microcountries are tiny in area island states with rich recreational resources. Becoming major centers and international tourism and having small populations, some of them have the highest GDP per capita.

pp. 20–22

Now for more difficult questions

1. Why greatest number Are the poorest countries concentrated in Africa?

Due to the fact that African countries were colonies for a long period of time, the economic situation on the continent is in a deteriorating state. There are many modern reasons for this lag in development, however, the roots of the problem go back to the distant past, when “white” Europeans believed that they were more civilized, and therefore worthy of having people of a different skin color work for them. Throughout the slave trade, Africa lost over 100 million people. The slave trade dealt a blow to the development of the African continent and slowed down development Agriculture and prevented the creation of African states. It was the slave trade that became one of the reasons that most of the population of Africa still lives in dire poverty.

Modern causes of poverty in African countries.

Illiteracy.

Most African countries have very low literacy rates (6%-70%). This leads to difficulties in finding employment, and therefore the ability to earn money for what is necessary.

Civil conflicts and wars.

More than 12 African countries are torn apart by internal civil wars. During wars, the traditional way of life collapses, and it becomes even more difficult to find a job and provide for the family with necessities. Where there is war, poverty and despair always reign.

Irrational use of land.

Half of all uncultivated land (202 million hectares) is in Africa. Agricultural productivity is four times lower than possible.

2. Why is the classification of countries by level of socio-economic development considered the most important? What is its practical significance?

The typology of countries by level of socio-economic development implies that the main criterion for this approach to analysis is the level of economic development of a particular country. This means, first of all, the volume of gross internal product per capita. The higher this indicator, the greater the level of socio-economic development the state has.

Countries where the level of GDP per capita is maximum are economically developed and have a high level of development of market relations. Such countries have a powerful scientific and technical base, and their role in the development of the world economy is significant. They directly influence the course of global financial and political processes. Such countries include the USA, Japan, France, Great Britain, Italy and a number of others.

The volume of gross domestic product per capita is one of the key indicators of the development of a country. That is why the typology according to the level of socio-economic development is the most important.

3. The term “third world countries” began to be used to designate developing countries in the 60s. XX century. Think about what other two worlds were meant.

The Third World is a geographical term of the second half of the 20th century that denoted countries not directly involved in the Cold War and the accompanying arms race.

Third World (developing countries) - those countries that lag behind in their development the industrialized countries of the West (First World) and the industrialized former socialist countries (Second World).

4. What is the consequence of the economic backwardness of developing countries?

Consequences of the economic backwardness of developing countries:

Low level of education;

Low level of labor;

Low income and savings;

Poverty.

5. What are the ways to solve the problem of economic backwardness of countries?

Ways to solve the problem of economic backwardness of countries:

Carrying out socio-economic transformations in all areas;

Application of scientific and technological progress;

Development of international cooperation, assistance from developed countries and the UN;

Demilitarization.

From theory to practice

Using the statistical data given in Table 5 and information about the population of countries around the world, calculate the GDP of the richest and poorest of these countries.

Bermuda - GDP per capita - $104,590, population - 65,024 people. GDP = 104590×65024 = 6.8 billion US dollars.

Democratic Republic of the Congo - GDP per capita - 230 US dollars, population - 78,736,153 people. GDP = 230×78736153 = 18.1 billion US dollars.

Final assignments on the topic of the section

1. The monarchical form of government is characteristic of:

B – Morocco

2. The unitary administrative-territorial structure is typical for:

G – France

3. The group of developed countries includes:

B – Austria

4. The G7 includes:

B – Italy

5. The countries of “settler capitalism” include:

B – New Zealand

6. Which of the following countries belongs to the group of microstates?

b, c, d, e – Monaco, Venezuela, San Marino, Luxembourg

7. Which of the following countries is characterized by a republican form of government? Write the answer as a sequence of letters in alphabetical order.

a, d, e – Nicaragua, Italy, Egypt

8. What statements characterize developed countries? Write the answer as a sequence of letters in alphabetical order.

A) High level economic development.

b) High level of social development.

c) High GDP per capita.

9. Arrange the countries in order of increasing area of ​​their territory, starting with the country with the smallest value of the indicated indicator.

UK, Brazil, Russia, Canada.

10. Establish a correspondence between the country and the features of its geographical location.