What is the difference between developed countries and developing countries?
United Nations have grouped countries as either developed or developing based on economic status like GDP, GNP, per capita income, industrialization, the standard of living, etc.
The lesson provides a detailed insight into the difference between developed countries and developing countries in a tabular form. Let’s find out:
What Are Developed Countries?
Developed countries refer to sovereign states whose economy is far much better in terms of technological infrastructures.
Most of these countries are referred to as first world countries since they are self-sufficient. Examples of such countries are Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States.
Main Features of Developed Countries
- Have high standards of living
- Excellent transportation and communication infrastructures
- High GDP
- Excellent health care and medical care
- High child welfare
- High per capita income
- Better housing and living conditions
- Industrial and technological advancement
- Improve in life expectancy
- Good educational facilities
What Are Developing Countries?
Developing countries are those countries with low human development and industrialization index. These countries are also known as third world countries.
These countries are not self-sufficient and this implies that they rely on developed countries. Examples of developing countries are Colombia, India, Kenya, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Turkey.
Main Features of Developing Countries
- Low human development index
- Low gross domestic product
- High level of illiteracy among its citizens
- Poor transport and communication facilities
- Unequal distribution of income
- High death rate and birth rate
- Unsustainable government debt
- High level of unemployment
- The high infant mortality rate
- Poor living conditions
Comparison Chart: Developed Countries vs Developing Countries
| Basic Terms | Developed Countries | Developing Countries |
| Definition | Are countries with high industrialization and individual income | Are countries with low per capita income and a slow rate of industrialization |
| Unemployment Rate and Poverty | Low | High |
| Living Condition | Good | Worst |
| Source of Income | Industrial sectors | Service sector |
| Reliance | Self-reliance | Depend on developed countries |
| Standards of living | High | Low |
| Distribution of income | Equal | Unequal |
| Impact | Low birth mortality rate, increase life expectancy, and low death or birth rate | High infant mortality rate, high death and birth rate, low life expectancy |
| Factors of Production | Effectively utilized | Not utilized well |
| Examples | Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United States. | Colombia, India, Kenya, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey. |
Core Differences Between Developed and Developing Countries
- Developed countries are independent and prosperous while developing countries are dependent on already developed countries.
- The income per capita in developed countries is high while developing countries are quite low
- The literacy level in developed countries is high while those in developing countries is quite low
- Developed countries have good infrastructures and better health care while developing countries have poor infrastructures and poor health care
- The main source of revenue in developed countries comes from industries while those of developing countries from services rendered.
- Developed countries effectively and efficiently utilized resources unlike developing countries
- There is a high level of unemployment in developing countries unlike in developed countries
- The birth and death rate of developed countries is low while high in developing countries
- The standards of living in developed countries are high while in developing countries is quite moderate
- Developed countries have advanced transport and communication, unlike developing countries.
You May Also Like:
- Difference between Centralization and Decentralization
- Difference between Management and Administration
- Difference between Micro and Macro Environment
- Difference between Advertising and Publicity
Comparison Video
Summary
The core difference between developed countries and developing countries is that developed countries are self-sufficient while developing countries are dependent on developed countries.
More Sources and References
- Developing Country. Wikipedia
- Developed and Developing Countries. Investopedia