Factors affecting development

• Global inequalities are reasons why countries differ in how developed they are. These reasons can make it difficult for countries to break out of poverty. Physical and human factors can have an impact on how developed a country is.
• Physical factors that affect development (Climate):

  • A country will not be able to grow many crops if they have a poor climate
  • This reduces the amount of food produced and can lead to malnutrition and health problems
  • Fewer crops to sell means less money to spend on goods and services
  • The government would collect less money from taxes and there would be less to spend on development
  • Climate can attract tourists
• Physical factors that affect development (Natural resources):

  • A country without many raw materials means they have fewer products to sell
  • This means less money to spend on development
  • Some countries with raw materials don't have the money to develop the infrastructure to exploit them
• Physical factors that affect development (Location):

  • Countries that are landlocked means it can be harder and more expensive to transport goods
  • This makes it harder to make money by exploiting goods so there is less money to spend on development
  • It also makes it harder to import goods that might help the country develop
  • However attractive scenery attracts tourists
• Physical factors that affect development (Natural hazards):

  • A natural hazard is a natural process which could cause death, injury or disruption to humans
  • Countries that have a lot of natural disasters have to spend a lot of it's money rebuilding after disasters occur
  • This means less money can be spent on goods and services
  • However there are some benefits from volcanic material and floodwater
• Human factors that affect development (Conflict):

  • War can slow down levels of development, healthcare becomes worse and infant mortality increases
  • Money is spent on supplies and repairing damage instead of development
• Human factors that affect development (Debt):

  • LIDCs have to borrow money from other countries or organisations
  • Money has to be paid back with interest which means it can't be used for development
• Human factors that affect development (Politics):

  • Corrupt governments can hinder development
  • Other countries are unlikely to invest in unstable governments
  • Governments need to invest in the right things for development
• Human factors that affect development (Trade):

  • Countries can import or export goods and services to other countries
  • World trade patterns influence a country's economy
  • Countries that export mostly primary products tend to be less developed
• Human factors that affect development (Education):

  • Educating people produces a more skilled workforce which can bring more money into the country through trade or investment
  • These people can pay more taxes so the country can spend more on development
• Human factors that affect development (Disease and healthcare):

  • In LIDCs, poor healthcare and a lack of clean water means people suffer from more diseases
  • People who are ill can't work so aren't contributing to the economy
  • Lack of economic contribution and increased spending on healthcare means less money available for development
• Human factors that affect development (Aid):

  • Aid is help given from one country to another
  • Some countries receive more aid so they can develop faster
  • Aid can be spent on the development of a country
  • If some countries rely on aid, it might stop them developing trade links
• Human factors that affect development (Tourism):

  • Tourism can provide an increased income as more money is entering the country
  • Money can be used to increase the level of development