Speaking of: Quality of Life

Narrowing the Gap

While there are still horrendous gaps in the level of development between the First and Third Worlds, some gaps have closed during the last four decades.

The Infant Mortality Rate:

Deaths per 1,000 live births 1950: 200 1985: 79

The Literacy Gap:

In percentage points 1970: 54 1985: 40

The Life Expectancy Gap:

In years 1960: 23 1987: 12

1. The United Nation’s development program’s new Human Development Index is a composite derived from the performance of each country in three areas: life expectancy at birth, the rate of adult literacy, and income for a decent living standard. The higher the number, the more desirable the level of human development.

2. While economic performance is intimately tied to levels of social development, it is equally important how a country uses its wealth. Some countries with modest levels of per capita income have achieved high levels of human development, while others with rapid growth and comparatively high income levels have not shown commensurate improvement in fulfilling basic human needs.

3. Here’s a look at some of the countries with the greatest disparity between their level of wealth and their human development performance. With 130 countries evaluated, these figures are based on each nation’s ranking in terms of gross national product per capita, less its ranking according to the U.N.’s Human Development Index. (see below) The lower the rating, the worse the country’s record of translating its wealth into a comparable level of human development.

Source: United Nations Development Program