Classification of countries of the world by level of economic development, by population, geographical classification of countries

Each state has a number of features that researchers modify with the help of certain indicators. Their comparison and analysis allow us to draw conclusions about the development and state of the economy, demography, geography. Classification of countries is needed to determine the impact of each of them on the entire world mode. The exchange of experience will allow to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the economic and social organization of states and improve the indicators.

Countries and territories

The economic definition of a country differs from legal or even ordinary understanding by people.

In the classification of countries can be taken into account both the territorial units recognized by the countries, and not being such. Such territories can conduct an independent economic policy and take into account their development. Therefore, they are taken into account in the classification of countries at the economic level of development. This applies to some island dependent territories of Great Britain, France, the Netherlands. The classification of countries considers such areas as separate economic units.

Universal international organizations collect and analyze information about their member countries. They include almost all world states.

Principle of classification

Since the classification of the countries of the world is carried out mainly by international organizations (UN, IMF, WB, etc.), the most common data collection systems are designed for the interests of these committees. The map below is highlighted in color:

- green - economically developed countries;

- yellow - medium-developed states;

- in red countries of the third world.

Thus, the World Bank collects information on the level of the economies of countries. At the same time, the UN drew attention to their demographic and socio-economic situation.

Scientists also distinguish several basic types of data collection and processing, which include the classification of countries in the world.

By the type of socio-economic system, there was a classification that divided the world into capitalist, socialist and developing states.

By level of development, countries are classified as developed and developing.

Geographical classification of countries takes into account the size and location of countries on the world map. Also taken into account their number and structure of the population, natural resources.

Geographical classification

The definition and assessment of the country's position on the world map is quite significant. From this, one can build on other classifications. The location of the country on the world map is also relative. After all, the boundaries of a certain territorial unit may change. But all changes and existing conditions can influence conclusions about the state of affairs of a particular country or region.

There are countries with a very large territory (Russia, the United States, Canada, India), but there are micro-states (Vatican, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco). Geographically, they also divide them into those with and without access to the sea. There are continental and island countries.

The combination of these factors often determines the socio-economic situation, which reflects the classification of countries in the world.

Classification by population

To build a system of world order, it is also important to take into account the classification of countries by population. It implies a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the demographic situation.

According to this view, all states are divided into countries with large, medium and small populations. And in order to make adequate conclusions about this indicator, calculate the number of people per territorial unit. This makes it possible to estimate the population density.

The population is considered in terms of its growth. Compare the birth rate and mortality. If the population growth is positive, this indicates an excess of fertility over mortality, and vice versa. Today, growth is observed in India, the United States, Britain and a number of African countries. Decrease in population - in the countries of Eastern Europe, Russia, Arab states.

The classification of countries by population is based on the demographic structure. The proportion of the able-bodied, educated population, as well as nationality is important for analysis.

Classification of economic development

The most common classification, applied by many organizations and world research institutes, is based on the economic development of countries.

The development of this typology was carried out on the basis of many years of research. It is constantly being improved and improved.

All world states, according to this approach, can be divided into high-, medium- and low-developed economic areas. This is the most widely used method. The classification of countries by level of development is not taken into account by post-socialist and socialist countries.

Based on the presented typology, international organizations draw conclusions about the advisability of financial assistance to the most underdeveloped countries.

In each of these groups, one can distinguish their subtypes.

Economically developed countries

The group of developed countries includes the United States, Canada, Western Europe, South Africa, the Australian Union, New Zealand. These countries have a high economic level of development and a significant influence on the political situation in the world. Their role in general trade relations is predominant.

The classification of countries by the level of economic development identifies this group of countries as holders of high scientific and technical potential.

The greatest influence on the world economy is held by highly capitalist countries, six of which are members of the G-7. This is Canada, the United States, Great Britain, Germany, Japan, France, Italy. A narrower specialization is in the world economy of highly developed small countries (Austria, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, etc.).

The socio-economic classification of countries in the group under consideration distinguishes a separate subgroup of the country of resettled capitalism. This is South Africa, New Zealand, Israel, Australia. All of them were once colonies of Great Britain. They have an agrarian and raw material specialization in world trade.

Moderately developed countries economically

Classifying countries for the development of economic relations, the group distinguishes historically and socio-economically different from the previous typology.

There are not many such states, but they can also be divided into certain types. The first group includes countries that develop independently and have reached an average level in the sphere of management. Ireland can be considered a vivid example of such a state.

Classification of countries by the level of economic development identifies the next subgroup of states that have lost their former influence on the world economy. They somewhat lagged behind in their development from the highly capitalist states. According to socio-economic classification, this group includes countries such as Greece, Spain, Portugal.

Developing countries

This group is the most numerous and diverse. It includes countries that have a number of difficulties in the sphere of economic relations, both internal and external. They lack the skill and skills. The external debt of such countries is very large. They have a strong economic dependence.

The classification of countries for development to this category also includes states in whose territory wars or ethnic conflicts are waged. They predominantly occupy low positions in world trade.

Developing countries supply other countries with predominantly raw materials or agricultural products. There is a high level of unemployment and a shortage of resources.

About 150 countries belong to this group. Therefore, there are subtypes that deserve separate consideration.

Types of developing countries

The classification of countries for economic development in the developing group identifies several subgroups.

The first is the key countries (Brazil, India, Mexico). They have the greatest potential among similar states. Their economy is very diversified. Such countries have significant labor, raw materials and economic resources.

Young liberated states include about 60 countries. Among them there are many oil exporters. Their economy is still developing, and in the future its condition will depend only on the socio-economic decisions taken by the authorities. Such states included Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Libya, Brunei, Qatar.

The third subgroup is the countries with respect to mature capitalism. These are states where the domination of the market economy has been established only in the last few decades.

Classification of countries relative to mature capitalism

In a subgroup of countries relatively mature capitalism, a number of subspecies are distinguished. The first include the state of the resettlement type with the early development of dependent capital (Argentina, Uruguay). Their population has a fairly high standard of living, which became possible due to a number of new reforms.

The classification of countries in the subgroup under consideration singles out the states of the large-scale development of capitalism. Foreign infusions into the economy are massed due to the export of raw materials from large deposits of minerals.

The next subspecies characterizes the countries of the outwardly oriented adaptive development of capitalism. Their economy is aimed at export and import substitution.

There are also countries of concession development and country-"quarterly" resort type.

GDP and GNI

There is a widespread classification of GDP per capita. It separates the central and peripheral areas. The central states are 24 states, the total level of GDP in world production of which is 55% and 71% in total exports.

The group of central states has a GDP per capita level of about $ 27,500. Countries near the periphery have a similar figure of $ 8,600. Developing countries are classified as far periphery. Their GDP is only $ 3,500, and sometimes even less.

The economic classification of countries used by the World Bank uses the GNI per capita. This makes it possible to single out 56 countries in the group of countries with the high index considered. Moreover, the states of the "Big Seven" even enter it, but they are not at the forefront.

The average level of GNI is fixed in Russia, Belarus, China and in 102 countries. Low GNI is observed in the states of the far periphery. This included 33 states, including Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

UN classification

The United Nations has singled out only 60 developed countries, which have high indicators in the sphere of market relations, scientific and technological progress, and production efficiency. The organization also takes into account the level of rights and social standards of the population. GDP in these countries per capita is more than $ 25,000. According to this indicator, Russia joined the list of developed countries. However, the qualitative indicators of economic and social processes do not allow considering Russia, in the opinion of the UN, a developed country.

All post-socialist countries are classified by the organization as a state with a transition economy. The remaining countries, not included in the previous two groups, are listed by the UN as developing countries that have more or less problems in the social and economic sphere.

The above factors and characteristics make it possible to group states into certain subspecies. Classification of countries is an effective tool for comparative analysis, on the basis of which it is possible to plan and improve their situation in the future.