The main difference between developed developing and underdeveloped countries is their economic status and quality of life. Developed countries have a high quality of life, developed economy, and technological infrastructure. Meanwhile, developing countries have a less developed economy and a comparatively lower quality of life. Underdeveloped countries, on the other hand, have the lowest indicators of socioeconomic development and the lowest quality of life.
Although we use the terms developed, developing, and underdeveloped to describe countries in the world, it’s quite difficult to quantify between these criteria. Even experts have not yet agreed on a single definition and criteria. However, GDP (gross domestic product) or (GNI) gross national income per capita are the parameters we usually use to measure the economic development of a country. Besides, experts also use factors like HDI (human development index), general standard living, level of industrialization, and the level of technological infrastructure to categorize countries as developed, developing and underdeveloped.
Key Areas Covered
1. What are Developed Countries
– Definition, Features
2. What are Developing Countries
– Definition, Features
3. What are Underdeveloped Countries
– Definition, Features
4. Difference Between Developed Developing and Underdeveloped Countries
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Developed Countries, Developing Countries, Underdeveloped Countries
What are Developed Countries
Developed countries are countries that have a high quality of life, a mature and sophisticated economy, and developed technological infrastructure. The citizens enjoy access to good health care facilities and have access to higher education. In addition, these countries typically have more advanced post-industrial economies (this means the service sector provides more wealth than the industrial sector). Ideally, a developed country should have a higher HDI and a higher GDP as well as advanced technology and infrastructure.
Figure 1: HDI (2019 data)
Moreover, some other characteristics of developed countries include stable birth and death rates, the use of a disproportionate amount of the world’s resources, and a higher percentage of working women. Norway, Denmark, Austria, the US, Switzerland, and Canada are some examples of developed countries.
What are Developing Countries
Developing countries are countries with a less developed industrial base and a comparatively lower HDI relative to developed countries. These countries are also making attempts to develop economically and socially using economic and social maintenances and proper policy implementation. But this there is no clear criteria for this classification. Sometimes, we use the term low and middle-income countries interchangeably with developing countries to refer to their economic state. These countries also have a lower standard of living, and people do not have access to modern technology or infrastructure. Consequently, they may experience issues with employment, housing, healthcare, and housing.
Figure 2: Developed Developing and Underdeveloped Countries (Based on IMF data 2009)
Furthermore, according to the data by United Nations, there are 126 ‘developing’ countries in the world as of 2020, and these countries are located in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and South Korea are some examples.
What are Underdeveloped Countries
Underdeveloped countries are more commonly known as least developed countries (LDC). These are a group of low-income countries facing severe structural impediments to sustainable development. According to the UN, these countries have the lowest indicators of socioeconomic development, with the lowest Human Development Index ratings.
Figure 3: Least Developed Countries Classified by the UN (2008 data)
In addition, poverty, human resource weakness (based on indicators of health, nutrition education and adult literacy), and economic vulnerability are the three criteria to classify a country as an underdeveloped country. According to UN data (in 2020), there are 46 countries falling into this category. Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cambodia, Malawi, Madagascar, Liberia, Mali, Zambia, and Ethiopia are some countries that fall under this category.
Difference Between Developed Developing and Underdeveloped Countries
Definition
Developed countries are countries that have a high quality of life, a mature and sophisticated economy, and developed technological infrastructure. Developing countries are countries with a less developed industrial base and a comparatively lower HDI relative to developed countries, whereas underdeveloped countries are countries having the lowest indicators of socioeconomic development, with the lowest HDI ratings.
GDP (Gross Domestic Product)
Moreover, developed countries have the highest GDPs while underdeveloped countries have the lowest GDPS. The GDP of developing countries, on the other hand, take a middle value between the two.
HDI (Human Development Index)
Developed countries have the highest HDI, while underdeveloped countries have the lowest HDI. The HDI of developing countries, on the other hand, take a middle value between the two.
Technology and Facilities
People in developed countries have easy access to the latest technological advancements, enjoy good healthcare, education, and other services, while people in developing countries may have some access to technology, and their healthcare, education, and other services are at a middle level. Most people in underdeveloped countries, on the other hand, do not have access to education, healthcare or other services, and most do not have access to technology.
Standard of Living
The standard of living in developed countries is high, while the standard of living in underdeveloped countries is very low. The standard of living in developing countries are somewhere in the middle.
Examples
Norway, Denmark, Austria, the US, Switzerland, and Canada are some examples of developed countries. India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and South Korea are some examples of developing countries, while Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cambodia, Malawi, Madagascar, and Liberia are examples of underdeveloped countries.
Conclusion
Developed countries are countries that have a high quality of life, developed economy, and developed technological infrastructure. Developing countries are countries with a less developed industrial base and a comparatively lower HDI relative to developed countries, whereas underdeveloped countries are countries having the lowest indicators of socioeconomic development, with the lowest HDI ratings. Therefore, the main difference between developed developing and underdeveloped countries is their economic status and quality of life.
Reference:
1. “Top 25 Developed and Developing Countries.” Investopedia.
2. “Least Developed Countries (LDCs) | Department of Economic and Social Affairs.” United Nations.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Countries ranked in the Very High category of the 2019 Human Development Index Report released in December 2020” By Wikimapeditor – Own work (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Imf-advanced-un-least-developed-2008” By Spacepotato assumed (based on copyright claims). – Own work, Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
3. “Least Developed Countries map” By Gabbe, by trivially changing a map originally by Canuckguy – Based on Image:BlankMap-World6, compact.svg with colour applied (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
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