A glance at four indicators of economic and social conditions in four countries, Canada, Japan, Peru and Zaire, in 1994 reflects the great differences that exist between wealthier and poorer nations.
The table shows that Japan and Canada had annual incomes of $15 760 and $11 100 per person, respectively. These figures were overwhelmingly greater than the corresponding figures of $160 in Peru and $130 in Zaire.
Health indicators, too, reflected overall levels of affluence in the four nations. Life expectancy at birth, for example, was higher among the more economically developed countries. Japan reported the highest life expectancy, 78. This was followed by Canada, 76; Peru, 51; and Zaire, 47. This suggests that richer societies are able to put more money into health care than poorer ones.
The amount of calories consumed daily per person roughly followed the same ranking. Canadians each consumed some 3 326 calories per day while the Japanese took 2846 calories. The corresponding figures for Peru and Zaire were 1927 and 1749, respectively.
Literacy rates among adults, too, were higher in wealthier countries, no doubt a reflection of ability to invest in education. Canada and Japan both reported literacy rates of 99%, while Peru claimed 68%. Zaire, the least economically developed of the four countries, had a literacy rate of 34%.
The data appear to confirm the often cited link between national wealth and health and education standards.
A glance at four indicators of economic and social conditions in four
countries
, Canada,
Japan
, Peru and Zaire, in 1994 reflects the great differences that exist between wealthier and poorer nations.
The table
shows
that
Japan
and Canada had annual incomes of $15 760 and $11 100 per person,
respectively
. These figures were
overwhelmingly
greater than the corresponding figures of $160 in Peru and $130 in Zaire.
Health indicators, too, reflected
overall
levels of affluence in the four nations. Life expectancy at birth,
for example
, was higher among the more
economically
developed
countries
.
Japan
reported the highest life expectancy, 78. This
was followed
by Canada, 76; Peru, 51; and Zaire, 47. This suggests that richer societies are able to put more money into health care than poorer ones.
The amount of calories consumed daily per person roughly followed the same ranking. Canadians each consumed
some
3 326 calories per day while the Japanese took 2846 calories. The corresponding figures for Peru and Zaire were 1927 and 1749,
respectively
.
Literacy rates among adults, too, were higher in wealthier
countries
, no doubt a reflection of ability to invest in education. Canada and
Japan
both reported literacy rates of 99%, while Peru claimed 68%. Zaire, the least
economically
developed of the four
countries
, had a literacy rate of 34%.
The data appear to confirm the
often
cited link between national wealth and health and education standards.