Development: Key Terms (Cambridge International IGCSE Geography)

Development: Key Terms

Indicators of Development

Calorie intake – A measure of daily food energy, reflecting food security and economic status. GNI (Gross National Income) – Total income earned by a country’s citizens, including money from abroad. GDP (Gross Domestic Product) – The value of all goods and services produced within a country per year. HDI (Human Development Index) – A combined indicator measuring income, life expectancy, and education. Infant mortality rate – The number of deaths of babies under age 1 per 1,000 live births. Life expectancy – The average number of years a person is expected to live. Literacy rate – The percentage of adults who can read and write. People per doctor – A ratio indicating access to medical care. Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) – Adjusts GNI to reflect living costs in different countries.

Use of Indicators to Compare Development

Composite indicator – A development measure made up of multiple variables (e.g., HDI). Economic indicator – Measures based on income, trade, or employment. Inequality – Uneven distribution of wealth or services within a country. Social indicator – Measures of quality of life like education and healthcare. Subjective well-being – A measure of happiness or life satisfaction, harder to quantify but important.

Levels of Development

Development gap – The difference in wealth and living standards between the world’s richest and poorest countries. Food and water security – Access to essential resources that impact health and productivity. Landlocked country – A country with no coastline, limiting trade and economic growth. Social unrest – Civil conflict often resulting from poverty and inequality. Technological access – Tools like internet, transport, and farming equipment that affect productivity. Youthful population – A population with many young people, which can be a benefit or burden depending on job opportunities and services.

Global Pattern of Development

High-Income Country (HIC) – A nation with high income, infrastructure, and standard of living (e.g., Norway, Japan). Low-Income Country (LIC) – A country with low income and poor access to services (e.g., Chad, Nepal). Middle-Income Country (MIC) – A rapidly developing country with growing industry and rising income (e.g., Brazil, India). Newly Industrialised Country (NIC) – A country in transition from agriculture to industry (e.g., South Korea).

What is Sustainable Development?

Economic sustainability – Supporting jobs and income without overusing resources, ensuring long-term economic health. Environmental sustainability – Protecting the planet’s resources and ecosystems while reducing pollution and emissions. Social sustainability – Ensuring people have access to healthcare, education, housing, and equality. Three pillars of sustainability – The balance of social, economic, and environmental sustainability in development.

Strategies to Achieve Sustainable Development

Bottom-up strategy – A locally led approach involving community participation and small-scale, appropriate solutions. Education programmes – Teaching people skills and literacy, often focusing on girls and rural areas. Fair Trade – A movement ensuring fair pay and conditions for producers in LICs. Green jobs – Employment in eco-friendly sectors such as renewable energy and sustainable transport. Microfinance – Small loans to help individuals start businesses, often empowering women. Renewable energy – Power from sources like wind and solar that don’t run out or pollute. Top-down strategy – Large-scale government or international organisation-led developments, often expensive and planned from above. Vaccination programmes – Government health strategies aimed at improving life expectancy and public health.

Evaluation of Strategies to Reduce Uneven Development

Debt relief – Cancelling or reducing a country’s debt to help fund development (e.g., HIPC Initiative). Development aid – Money, goods, or services given by one country or NGO to support another’s growth. International trade – Countries earn income by selling goods abroad but may face unfair prices and trade barriers. Multilateral aid – Aid given via international organisations like the World Bank or IMF. Tied aid – Aid given with conditions attached, such as buying goods from the donor country.

Case Study: Botswana (MIC)

Anti-corruption policies – Botswana has strong legal systems and agencies to prevent misuse of funds. Economic diversification – Investment in tourism, finance, and ICT to reduce reliance on mining. Free education and healthcare – Public investment in primary education and HIV/AIDS care has raised living standards. Infrastructure investment – Roads, electricity, and telecoms built to support development. Political stability – A long-standing democracy with low corruption, enabling effective development.