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Non-Economic Indicators of Development
Birth Rate, Death Rate, Literacy Rate, IMR
Author:
Syed Ali
Edu Level: Unit2
Date: Aug 11 2025 - 9:45 PM
⏱️Read Time: 2 min
Non-Economic Indicators of Development
Health
- Life Expectancy: Average number of years a person is expected to live, influenced by nutrition and health care.
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- Higher in countries with strong healthcare systems.
- Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): Number of infant deaths (under age 1) per 1,000 live births per year.
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- Indicates quality of pre- and post-natal care.
- Lower in developed countries.
Advantages of Using IMR
- Easy to understand and globally relevant.
- Reflects food supply, water quality, and healthcare standards.
Disadvantages of Using IMR
- Data may be incomplete in developing nations (unregistered births).
- Some countries may withhold accurate figures.
- Political and social factors (e.g., China’s One-Child Policy) can distort data.
Birth Rate
- Definition: Number of live births per 1,000 people per year.
- Higher in developing countries due to limited contraceptive use and high infant mortality.
Advantages:
- Key indicator of development.
- Useful for policy and future planning.
Disadvantages:
- May be inaccurate in developing countries.
- Affected by policies (e.g., One-Child Policy).
Death Rate
- Definition: Number of deaths per 1,000 people per year.
- High death rate: Often linked to poor healthcare, sanitation, inadequate food, and unsafe water.
- In developed countries, high death rates may be due to an aging population.
Advantages:
- Indicates health care quality, water safety, and living conditions.
Disadvantages:
- Does not reveal exact causes of death.
- May be distorted by events such as natural disasters.
Literacy Rate
- Definition: Percentage of people over age 15 who can read and write.
- Reflects educational availability.
- Lowest rates are found in West Asia, South Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
- In poorer areas, children may work instead of attending school; cultural factors may also limit female literacy.
Advantages:
- Shows education access.
- Indicates how many children can or cannot attend school.
Disadvantages:
- Does not measure other valuable skills (e.g., farming).
- Does not explain reasons for low school attendance (e.g., lack of schools, child labor).
