Factors Affecting Development & Welfare (Edexcel IGCSE Geography): Revision Note

Stages of development

• All countries move through the different stages of development

• The UN identifies four main stages of development

Least developed countries (LDCs) and developing countries

• The countries with the lowest level of development are the least developed countries (LDCs)

• The UN reviews the list of LDCs every three years

  • There are currently 44 LDCs (2024)

    • Africa - 31 countries

    • Asia - 8 countries

    • Caribbean - 1 country

    • Small Island Developing States (SIDS) - 4

• The criteria for inclusion in the list of LDCs is:

  • Gross National Income (GNI) below US$1,018

  • Poor health and education levels

  • Economic and environmental vulnerability

• The LDCs and developing countries are:

  • at a disadvantage in world trade

  • vulnerable to natural hazards

  • lacking infrastructure

  • dependent on primary resources

• Colonialism has also impacted all 44 of the LDCs and as well as many developing countries, leading to:

  • depletion of resources

  • environmental degradation

Emerging economies

• Emerging economies are also known as newly industrialised countries (NICs)

  • These countries have moved up the stages of development

  • Countries that have become emerging economies include:

    • Singapore

    • South Korea

    • Brazil

    • China

    • India

The development gap

• The development gap is the difference in levels of development between the least developed and most developed countries in the world

• There are many factors which lead to the differences in development

Natural resources

• Physical geography

  • Landlocked countries find trade more difficult and so often develop more slowly

  • Small countries develop more slowly due to having fewer human and natural resources

  • Those countries with extreme climates develop more slowly 

  • The physical geography also impacts the natural resources available

• The natural resources are those things provided by the physical environment

  • Water - domestic use, energy

  • Forests - timber, habitat, rubber, recreation, food, medicines

  • Fossil fuels - fuel, energy

  • Soil - growing crops

  • Rocks - construction

  • Minerals - glass, jewellery, money

  • Animals - food, skins

• Some countries can meet all their needs from the natural resources they have

• Many countries have to import some natural resources that are not available within their borders

• When countries have to import natural resources this means they do not have the security of supply as imports could be affected by war or political issues

• Water, food and energy security are vital to support a country's development

Human resources

• Demography

  • The population structure of a country

  • The birth and death rates, as well as immigration, affect the available workforce

• Technology

  • Can help to increase water, food and energy security

  • Mechanisation of farming increases yields and improved land surveying may reveal more energy sources

  • Technology can also mean that existing resources are used more efficiently

  • Internet access supports economic and social conditions

    • It supports business

    • Improves access to education and health

    • The number of people using the internet is known as the internet penetration rate

• Social 

  • Levels of education affect the skills people have. The more educated a population is the more a country will develop

  • Healthcare affects how well people are which affects their ability to work

  • Lack of equality can mean that the overall productivity of a country is affected

Governmental inputs

• The stability and effectiveness of government can have a significant impact on development and human welfare

• Development and human welfare are greatest where there is a democratically elected government

• Corrupt governments do not invest in the country's development or in improving the quality of life for the population

• Governments impact economic policies which in turn affect development and human welfare

  • Open economies where foreign investment is encouraged to develop faster

  • The higher rates of saving and lower spending result in faster development