DEVELOPMENT GEOGRAPHY

GeES 3011)

Demis Mengist Wudeneh (PhD)

Chairperson, Department of Geography & Environmental Studies
Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
E-mail: demis.mengist@aau.edu.et

October 02, 2024

Addis Ababa University
Outline

1. Introduction
1.1. Definition of development geography
1.2. The concept of development
1.3. Indicators of development
1.4. Growth and development
1.5. Development and Underdevelopment
1.6. Space and development
1.7. Classification of countries and their defining characteristics
 Objectives

 Understand the concept of development and development geography;

 Identify indicators of development and under development;
 Differentiate growth and development as well as developed and
developing countries;
 Understand sustainable development & sustainable development goals;

 Identify development problems and factors affecting development.

Introduction

1.1. Definition of development geography

 Development may mean different things to different people.
 It implies a change that is desirable.
 What is desirable at a particular time, place and in a particular culture
may not be desirable at other places, or other times or culture
 Hence, there is no universally accepted definition.
 However, it refers to a better quality of life encompassing at least
three components:
• Self-sustenance,
• self – esteem
• and freedom
 Development is a multi-dimensional process which involves
transformation in structures, attitudes and institutions as well as the
acceleration of economic growth, reduction of inequality and the
eradication of absolute poverty.
 Joseph Stiglitz (1999:1), views development as ‘a transformation of
society, a movement from traditional relations, traditional ways of
thinking, traditional methods of production, to more modern ways’.
 Development is a branch of geography which refers to the standard of
living and quality of life.
 According to Todaro, Development is not purely an economic
phenomenon but rather a multi-dimensional process
involving reorganization and reorientation of entire economic
and social system.

 Development is process of improving the quality of all

human lives with three equally important aspects.
Todaro’s Three Objectives of
Development
 1. Raising peoples’ living levels, i.e. incomes and
consumption, levels of food, medical services, education
through relevant growth processes.
 2. Creating conditions conducive to the growth of
peoples’ self-esteem through the establishment of social,
political and economic systems and institutions which promote
human dignity and respect.
 3. Increasing peoples’ freedom to choose by enlarging the
range of their choice variables, e.g. varieties of goods &
services.
 Core values of development
 To increase the availability and widen the distribution of
basic life sustaining goods such as food, shelter, health
and protection.
 To raise levels of living, that is to say, higher incomes,
the provision of more jobs, better education, and greater
attention to cultural and humanistic values.
 To extend the range of economic and social choices
available to individuals and nations by freeing them from
servitude and dependence not only in relation to other
people and nation- states but also to the forces of
ignorance and human….
 Development is primarily defined in the context of
economy as it is equated with economic development of
the country.
 Various scholars of diverse discipline have view
development in the following context:
◦ improvement- change (for the better)

◦ economic growth, modernization, industrialization

Aspects of Development

 Development is understood in terms of the

following:
o Social
o Political
o Economic
 Development geography is a branch of geography
which refers to the standard of living and its quality of life
of its human inhabitants.
 In this context, development is a process of change that
affects peoples' lives.
 It may involve an improvement in the quality of life as
perceived by the people undergoing change.
1.2. The Concept of Development

Terminology
 Theuse of resources and technology to
Development: bring about change. This change is
positive and generally involves the
improvement in people’s quality of life
and improving the standard of living in a
country.

Development  Areused to measure the level of

development with regard to a countries
Indicators:
economic, social and institutional
growth. There are two main types’
economic indicators and social
indicators. 13
Brandt Line: The line dividing the world into
the developed and developing
world.

Industrialized:  Thecountry is divided in

manufacturing and processing of
raw materials in factors. The more
industrialized a country is the more
developed the country will be.

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Infant The number of children who die
mortality: because of childhood related
and other diseases.

The average number of years

a person can expect to live.
Life
expectancy:

15
Primary The extraction of raw
Activities: materials from the earth’s
surface. For example, forestry,
farming, mining, and fishing.

Involves the manufacturing and

Secondary processing of goods obtained
Activities: in the primary activities.

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Tertiary Provision of services.
Activities:

Quaternary Involvesresearch and

Activities: technology.

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1.3. Indicators of Development

How is development measured?

 Standard units of measurement that reflect levels of
development in a region.
 Types of development indicators include:
 economic indicators
 social indicators
 demographic indicators
Economic Indicators of Development

 Statistical data that measures the amount of

money (wealth) in a society.
 Economic indicators we use for development are:
 Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

 Gross National Income (GNI)

 Gross Domestic Product Per Capital

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
 refers to the annual value of goods and services produced
within the borders of a country.
 it also includes income for goods and services produced
by foreigners within the country.
Equation:
◦ GDP = value of input, or output, or income + gross investment +
government spending + (exports – imports)
Gross National Income (GNI)
 is the total value of goods and services produced by the
nationals of a country.
 it includes income for goods and services produced by
nationals (citizens of a country) in foreign countries.
 Equation:
◦ GNI = value of input, or output, or income + gross investments +
government spending + ( imports-exports)
 Social Indicators of Development

 Indicators that measure the welfare (quality of life) of the

society.
 Social indicators are dependent on various factors, these are:
 education level
 access to health care
 provision of services (running water, electricity, etc. )
 Two important indicators of development:
 Human Development Index (HDI)
 Gini-coefficient
Human Development Index

 A method of assessing the level of development of a country by

focusing on the quality of life and standard of living of its people.
 HDI combines indicators that show:
 literacy (education)
 life expectancy
 GDP per capita (standard of living)
 HDI per capita ranges from zero (0) to one (1)
 If HDI is 0.8 or above:
High development ranking.
◦ Therefore, healthy life, decent standard of living and equal
access to education.
 If HDI is 0.5 or less:
Low development ranking

Note:
 There is a strong correlation (relationship) between
income group and HDI value.
 Where income is high, HDI values also tend to be high.
 Gini-coefficient

 A social indicator that is used to measure the inequality

or the gap between the rich (upper income) and poor
(lower income) in a country.
 The gini-coefficient ranges from zero (0) and one (1)
◦ A gini score of 0 indicates complete equality income
◦ A gini score 1 indicates complete inequality.
Demographic Indicators of
Development

 Indicators which give us specific information

about the population of a country.

 Two important demographic indicators:

 Life expectancy at birth

 Infant mortality
Life Expectancy at Birth
 Infant Mortality
 The number of deaths within the first year of life per
1000 children born.

 Infant mortality rate tell us how developed the country

is because of lack of necessary infrastructure and
social welfare, to care for infants and mothers.
1.4. Economic Growth and
Development
 Learning outcomes:
 Differentiate between the terms growth and
development;
 Describe essential principles related to growth and
development;
 List factors that influence growth and development.
 Economic Growth

 Economic growth and economic development

are often used interchangeably. However, there are
two distinctions between two concepts
 Economic growth can be defined as an increase in
the capacity of an economy to produce goods and
services, compared from one period to another.
 Economic growth can be measured in nominal
terms, which include inflation, or in real terms,
which are adjusted for inflation.
How is economic growth measured?

Economic growth in a country is measured by

the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
in one year.

GDP= the total amount of final goods and

services produced in one year within a
country.
Factors of Economic Growth

 There are four factors that determine a

country’s Gross Domestic Product for the
year:
 Natural resources
 Human capital
 Capital goods
 Entrepreneurship
 Economic Development

 Economic development is policy intervention with

aims of development of:
 Human capital
 Literacy ratio
 Infrastructure
 Health and general welfare of the citizens
Whereas Economic growth is a phenomenon of
market productivity and rise in GDP.
 Economic Development is:
 Quantitative and qualitative changes in the economy.
 Promoting the standard of living and economic health.
 Human Development Index is one of the most accurate
method for measuring it which takes into account the literacy
rates and life expectancy.
 Modernization and industrialization plays important role for
economic development of a nation.
 Economic development of any nation can be
characterized by the following:

1. Increases in output or production has to be sustained

over a long period of time
2. Changes in economic structure would spread out in the
entire economy.
3. Growth has to be accompanied by an increase in
efficiency.
Factors Affecting Economic
Development
 Inflation distorts business decisions as buying capacity of
consumer reduces.
 Tax levels: income tax and sales tax (e.g. VAT) affect how
much consumer have to spend, hence the demand.
 Interest Rates can impact the growth of an industry. For
example, high car loan interest rate will discourage
vehicle industry.
 Government Polices provides a friendly environment for
business to move into and operate within a community.
 Currency Strength is important even for companies
that do not import or export goods.
 Government Intervention: Many industries are
regulated by the government which ensures safety of
consumers, employees and natural resources.
 Overall Economic Health: The economic state of the
country and consumer confidence can also spur
development or harm it.
 Social and Cultural Values affect economic
development through attitude towards progress.
 In general, economic development is shaped by not only by
economic factors but also by non-economic factors like
environmental, social, and cultural conditions of the
economy.
 One can get the economic growth of a country by comparing its
GDP at present with the GDP of last year. However, it is not so easy
to measure development as it is based upon many parameters
such as health, education, literacy levels, and life expectancy and
so on.
Indicators of Economic Growth

 Usingmeasures of economic performance in terms of the

value of income, expenditure and output.
◦ GDP- Gross Domestic Product
 The value of output produced within a country during a time period.
◦ GNP- Gross National Product
 The value of output produced within a country plus net property income
from abroad.
◦ GDP/GNP per head/per capita
 Takes account of the size of the population.
◦ Real GDP/GNP
 accounts for differences in price levels in different countries.
Importance of Economic Growth
 Economic growth is important because it is a necessary
ingredient for both higher incomes and higher living standards.
 GDP is a measure of both output and income. Growth of output is
necessary for growth of income.
 Per capita GDP is the nation’s GDP divided by its population.
Growth of per capita GDP means more goods and services per
person.
 In most cases, higher levels of per capita GDP will mean that the
typical person has a better diet, improved health and access to
medical services, a longer life expectancy, and greater
educational opportunity.
Indicators of Economic Development

GDP per capita

Life expectancy
Literacy rates
Measures of poverty
Demographic indicators
Disease indicators
Economic growth Vs economic development

Basis Economic Development Economic Growth

Economic development implies Economic growth refers to an
changes in income, savings and increase in the real output of
investment along with progressive goods and services in the
changes in socioeconomic structure country..
of country (institutional &
technological changes)
Factors: Development relates to growth of Growth relates to a gradual
human capital indexes, a decrease increase in one of the
in inequality figures, and structural components of Gross Domestic
changes that improve the general Product: Consumption,
population’s quality of life. government spending,
investment, net exports.
Measureme Qualitative. HDI, gender-related Quantitative. Increase in real
nt index, human-poverty index, infant GDP shown by PPF.
mortality, literacy rate, etc.
Basis Economic Economic Growth
Development
Concept: Normative concept Narrower concept that economic
development
Effect: Brings qualitative and Brings quantitative changes in the
quantitative changes economy
in the economy
Relevance Economic Economic growth is a more
: development is more relevant metric for progress in
relevant to measure developed countries. But it’s
progress and quality widely used in all countries
of life in developing because growth is a necessary
nations. condition for development.
1.5. Development & Underdevelopment

 Development is a process of economic and social

transformation which is based on complex cultural
and environmental factors and their interactions.
 Development is a process of improved standard of
living.
 Development is a multi-dimensional and multi-
sectoral process, involving social, economic and
political change aimed at improving people’s lives.
Underdevelopment

 US-President Truman’s ‘bold new program’

announced on January 20, 1949, defined Africa, Asia
and Latin America as ‘underdeveloped areas’ in
need of ‘development’
 Underdevelopment is the absence of modern
economic growth that characterizes Third World
countries by comparison with the developed nations
of the West.
What causes underdevelopment?

 In most cases, underdevelopment is

characterized by:
◦ low per capita incomes
◦ low literacy and educational attainment
◦ lack of basic services- water and power
◦ lack of natural resources
◦ cultural traditions and value systems
Why has Japan succeeded?
Reasons for Japanese Success

 Strong cooperation between government and

business
 Able to adapt to spatial-physical situation and
acquire a maritime prowess
 Early development (Meiji restoration) of transport
and banking systems
 Highly literate population
 Niche development- technology driven
Other Common Explanations of
Underdevelopment
Instability and other adverse internal situations-
political factors
Some truth to this as extended periods of
turbulence are not conducive to development-
central African nations with tribal rivalries and
ethnic cleansing
Poor physical environment- lack of rainfall, poor
soils also may pose barriers to development.
 Underdevelopment must be seen as a product of
an array of complex and continuously changing
interactions between:
 1. Past and Present
 2. Natural and Human Environments
 3. External and Internal Conditions
 Multitude of obstacles to development vary with
place and time
 Critical to remember that the above theoretical ideas
aid us in asking pertinent questions.
1.7. Classification of Countries and their
Defining Characteristics
 Geographers classify countries according to their level of
economic and human development. There will always be
poor people in rich countries and rich people in poor
countries.
 The Brandt Line is used to divide the world into halves,
the developed north (rich, industrialized) and the
developing south (poor).
 The Brandt Line may also be referred to as the North-South
divide. It is important to remember that the Brandt line is
not the same as the equator. There are some countries that
are found in the Southern Hemisphere but are north of the
Brandt Line e.g. Australia.
The Brandt Line: North South Divide
Indicators of Development

 Measuring development between different countries

is very difficult. That is why geographers make use
of different indicators in order to compare the
level of development around the world.
 There are three different types of indicators that can
be used in order to compare development.
Economic Indicators of Development

 Gross National Income (GNI)- the amount of money the average

person in a country can expect to have. (low income and middle
income countries are developing while high income countries are
developed).
 Gross National Product (GNP)- Total value of all goods and services
produced by a country in one year including foreign earnings.
 Gross Domestic Product (GDP)- Shows the total value of all goods
and services produced by a country in one year.
 NB: All of the above indicators are often given as per capita or per person.
To calculate this amount you take the GNI, GNP or GDP and divide by the
country’s total population. It is therefore, an average amount that is
available to each person in that country.
 Human Development Index (HDI)- This indicator is a
combination of GDP per capita, life expectancy and literacy
rate. Zero (0) indicates the worst quality of life, while one (1)
shows an almost perfect place.

Top 10 countries according to

the HDI (2013)
Norway (0.955)
Australia (0.938)
USA (0.937)
Netherlands (0.921)
Germany (0.920)
New Zealand (0.919)
Ireland (0.916
Sweden (0.916)
Switzerland (0.913)
Japan (0.912)
Gini-coefficient- Indicates how wealth is shared in a
country. A Gini score of 0 indicates complete equality
in income (every household receives the same amount
of money). A Gini score of 1 indicates complete
inequality (income received is not the same: one
household gets more than the other).

Greatest Income Inequality Most income equality

Namibia (0.74)
Denmark (0.24)
Sierra Leone (0.62) Japan (0.24)
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Social Indicators of Development

 Social indicators may include things like:

◦ The percentage of the population living in urban areas;

◦ Education levels and level of literacy;

◦ Availability of services such as water, electricity and

healthcare;
◦ Food and nutrition.
Demographic Indicators of Development

 Thefollowing are examples of demographic indicators and are usually

obtained through a census in a particular country. A census is an official
counting a country’s population which is usually done every ten years.
◦ Birth rate
◦ Death rate
◦ Infant mortality rate
◦ Life expectancy
◦ Maternal mortality rate (the number of mothers who dies during childbirth)
◦ Population growth rate (the percentage by which a country’s population
grows each year)
◦ Fertility rate (the expected number of children the average women in a
country has)
Development from different contexts: local,
regional and global
 Local- refers to development in the area in which you are living. Development in a
local context is often small-scale.
 Regional- refers to development in an area that has similar characteristics which
distinguish it from other areas.
 Global- refers to development worldwide. Here the best example is the Millennium
Development Goals. These included:
• Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger
• Achieving universal primary education
• Promoting gender equality and empowering women
• Reducing child mortality
• Improving maternal health
• Combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
• Ensuring environmental sustainability
• Developing a global partnership for development
Below is a table comparing the main differences between
Developed and Developing countries:
Developed Countries
Developing Countries
First world Third world
Poor world
Rich world
The have nots
The haves
Less economically developed
More economically developed countries
countries (LEDCs)
(MEDCs)
Non-industrialized/industrializing
Industrialized

The North The South

Low income
High income
Low human development index (HDI=
High development index (HDI =0.8+ 0.5 and less)
e.g. USA, France, Japan e.g. India, Ethiopia, Brazil 62
Activity 1: Complete the following table which summarizes the
development indicators for developed vs developing countries.

Indicator Developed Countries Developing Countries

(MEDCs) (LEDCs)

GNP/capita (also GDP & High Low

GNI)
Human Development High (closer to 1) Low (closer to 0)
Index
Gini-coefficient Tends to be lower Tends to be higher
(money is more equally (money is not equally
shared) shared)
Birth rate Low High-medium
Death rate Low High-medium
Infant mortality rate Low High-medium
Life expectancy High Medium-low 63
Activity 1: Complete the following table which summarizes the
development indicators for developed vs developing countries.

Indicator Developed countries Developing countries

(MEDCs) (LEDCs)

Adult literacy High Medium

Urbanization rate High Low-medium
Population structure Older population Younger population
% working in primary Low High
activities
% working in tertiary and High Low
quaternary activities
Daily calorie intake High Low-medium

64