Developed and

developing
countries

Big Question: How do we classify a country as developing or

developed?
Learning Intentions:
By the end of this section you will understand and be able to
explain how a country is classified as either developing or
developed.
Success Criteria:
By the end of this section I:
- can explain the 3 characteristics of developed and
developing countries
- Can classify countries using the WHO mortality strata
- Can explain the social model of health
- Can explain sustainability including the 3 elements
- Can define human development
- Can define the human development index (HDI)

Introduction
Developed country and developing country are
a term used to classify countries.
The characteristics of developed and
developing countries can be classified into
three categories
Economic characteristics
Environmental characteristics
Social characteristics
Copy figure 8.2 on page 306

Economic characteristics
A range of factors relating to the financial or economic state of a
country can influence the opportunities and resources that are
available for its citizens.
Poverty is a term that is commonly used to describe the lack of
access to resources, often as the result of a lack of access to
money. Developing countries often have a large proportion of
their population living in poverty compared to developed
countries
Read economic characteristics, summarise and copy figure 8.3

Social characteristics

Read social,
summarise
characteristics and

Environmental characteristics

Read
environmental
characteristics,
summarise and
copy this diagram

Activity
Complete test your knowledge questions 1-4 on page 310.