Each state has a number of featureswhich 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, and geography. The classification of countries is needed to determine the influence of each of them on the entire world order. The exchange of experience will determine the strengths and weaknesses of the economic and social organization of states and improve performance.
Countries and Territories
The economic definition of a country is different from legal or even common understanding in humans.
In the classification of countries can be counted asterritorial units recognized as countries that are not. Such territories can pursue an independent economic policy and an account of their development. Therefore, they are taken into account when drawing up the classification of countries by 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.
Classification principle
Since the classification of countries of the world is performed inmainly 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;
- red - third world countries.
So, the World Bank collects information about the level of economies of countries. At the same time, the UN pays attention to their demographic and socio-economic situation.
Scientists distinguish several basic types of data collection and processing, which include the classification of countries of the world.
According to the type of socio-economic system, there was a classification dividing the world into capitalist, socialist and developing states.
By level of development, countries are classified as developed and developing.
The geographical classification of countries takes into account the size and location of countries on the world map. They also take into account their size and population structure, natural resources.
Geographical classification
Definition and assessment of the position of the country on the mapThe world is quite important. From this one can make a start for drawing up other classifications. The location of the country on the world map is also relative. After all, the boundaries of a particular territorial unit may vary. But all changes and existing conditions are capable of influencing conclusions about the state of affairs of a particular country or region.
There are countries with a very large territory.(Russia, USA, Canada, India), but there are microstates (Vatican, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco). Geographically, they are also divided into having and not having 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 of the world.
Population classification
To build a system of world order, it is also important to consider the classification of countries by population. It implies a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the demographic situation.
According to this view, all statesdivided into countries with large, medium and small population. Moreover, in order to make adequate conclusions about this indicator, count the number of people per territorial unit. This allows us to estimate the population density.
The amount of population is considered in terms ofhis gain. Compare the birth rate and mortality. If the population growth is positive, this indicates an excess of birth rate over mortality, and vice versa. Today, growth is observed in India, the USA, the UK and a number of African countries. The decrease in population - in Eastern Europe, Russia, Arab countries.
The classification of countries by population is based on the demographic structure. The share of able-bodied, educated population, as well as nationality is important for analysis.
Economic Development Classification
The most common classification used by many organizations and global research institutions is based on the economic development of countries.
The development of this typology was made on the basis of many years of research. She is constantly being improved and improved.
All world states, according to this approach,can be divided into high, medium and underdeveloped economic areas. This is the most widely used method. The classification of countries by level of development does not take into account the post-socialist and socialist countries.
On the basis of the typology presented, international organizations draw conclusions about the appropriateness of financial assistance to the most underdeveloped countries.
In each of these groups, you can select your subtypes.
Economically developed countries
The group of developed countries include the USA, Canada, Western Europe, South Africa, the Australian Union, New Zealand.
The classification of countries by level of economic development distinguishes this group of countries as holders of high scientific and technological potential.
Самое большое влияние на мировую экономику имеют high capitalist countries, six of which are members of the Big Seven. These are Canada, USA, Great Britain, Germany, Japan, France, Italy. The world economy has a highly developed small countries (Austria, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, etc.).
Socio-economic classification of countries inthis group is allocated a separate subgroup of the country of resettlement capitalism This is South Africa, New Zealand, Israel, Australia. All of them were once colonies of Great Britain. They have an agricultural and raw material specialization in world trade.
Economically developed countries
When classifying countries for the development of economic relations, they distinguish a group historically and socio-economically different from the previous typology.
There are not many such states, but there arecan be divided into certain types. The first group includes countries that are developing independently and have reached an average level in the economic sphere. A striking example of such a state can be considered Ireland.
Классификация стран по уровню экономического Development highlights the next subgroup of the state, who have lost their former influence on the global economy. They are somewhat behind in their development from high-capitalist states. According to the socio-economic classification, this subgroup includes such countries as Greece, Spain, Portugal.
Developing countries
This group is the largest andvaried. It includes countries that have a number of difficulties in the sphere of economic relations, both internal and external. They lack the skills and qualified personnel. The external debt of such countries is very large. They have a strong economic dependence.
Классификация стран по развитию к этой категории It also includes the states on whose territory wars or ethnic conflicts are fought. They mainly occupy low positions in world trade.
Developing countries supply other countries mainly raw materials or agricultural products. There is a high unemployment rate and lack of resources.
This group includes about 150 countries. Therefore, there are subtypes that deserve separate consideration.
Kinds of developing countries
The classification of countries by economic development in a group of developing groups includes several subgroups.
Первой из них являются ключевые страны (Бразилия, 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.
The newly free states includeabout 60 countries. Among them are many oil exporters. Their economy is still developing, and in the future its state will depend only on the socio-economic decisions made by the authorities. Such states include Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Libya, Brunei, Qatar.
The third subgroup are countries of relatively mature capitalism. These are states where the domination of the market economy has been established only in the last few decades.
Country classification relative to mature capitalism
In the subgroup of countries relatively maturecapitalism stands out a number of subspecies. The first group includes resettlement states with the early development of dependent capital (Argentina, Uruguay). Their population has a fairly high standard of living, which was made possible by a number of new reforms.
Классификация стран в рассматриваемой подгруппе distinguishes the state of large-scale development of capitalism. Foreign injections into the economy are massaged thanks to the export of raw materials from large mineral deposits.
The following subspecies characterizes the countries of the external oriented adaptation of capitalism. Their economy is focused on exports and import substitution.
There are also countries of concession development and country-apartment-type resort-type "landlords".
Level of GDP and GNI
There is a common classification byGDP per capita. It highlights 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 levelper capita about $ 27,500. Neighboring countries have a similar figure of $ 8,600. Developing countries are attributed to the far periphery. Their GDP is only $ 3,500, and sometimes even less.
Экономическая классификация стран, которую applies the World Bank, uses the indicator of GNI per capita. This makes it possible to single out 56 countries into a group of countries with a considered high rate. Moreover, the G7 states, although they are part of it, are not in the first places.
The average level of GNI is recorded in Russia, Belarus, China and another 102 countries. Low GNI is observed in the states of the far periphery. This includes 33 states, including Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan.
UN classification
The United Nations allocated only 60developed countries that have high rates in the field of market relations, scientific and technological progress, 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 is among the developed countries. However, the qualitative indicators of economic and social processes do not allow to consider the Russian Federation, in the opinion of the UN, a developed country.
All post-socialist countries are relatedorganization to a number of transition economies. The rest of the countries that were not in the previous two groups are ranked by the UN as developing countries that have more or less problems in the socio-economic sphere.
The listed factors and characteristics allowgroup the states into specific subspecies. Country classification is an effective benchmarking tool, based on which you can plan and improve their position in the future.
