42: Developed and Developing Economies and Reasons for Different Stages of Development

Demographic Transition

• Under Developed Countries (LDCs) have a high birth rate and a high death rate
• Developing Countries have a falling death rate and a relatively falling birth rate
• Developed Countries have a low and relatively constant birth rate and death rate

Comparing Developed and Developing Countries

Feature                         Developed Countries      Developing Countries

·    Birth Rate                            Lower                            Higher

·    Death Rate                          Lower                            Higher

·    Dependency Ratio                Lower                            Higher

·    Infant Mortality Rate             Lower                            Higher

·    Working Age Group              Higher                           Lower

·    Labour Productivity               Higher                           Lower

·    Level of Education                Higher                           Lower

·    Sector of Employment          Tertiary                         Primary

·    Health Care Facilities            Established                    Poor