Classifying Countries (Cambridge (CIE) AS Environmental Management) : Revision Note

Classifying Countries

• The World Bank categorises countries based on their development levels, considering economic, social, cultural, and technological aspects

• The three main categories are:

  • Low-income countries (LICs) have a Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of US$1 086 or less (e.g. Mozambique, Bangladesh, Haiti, Afghanistan)

  • Middle-income countries (MICs) have a GNI per capita over US$1 086 but less than US$13 205 (e.g. Mexico, Philippines, Brazil, Indonesia)

  • High-income countries (HICs) have a GNI per capita exceeding US$13 205 (e.g. Sweden, Australia, Canada, Singapore)

• LICs have weaker economies, leading to instances of extreme poverty, lower education levels, and poorer living standards

  • Some additional examples of LICs include Zambia, Myanmar, Chad, Sierra Leone

• HICs have much stronger economies, resulting in higher education levels, superior living standards, and low levels of extreme poverty

  • Some additional examples of HICs include Switzerland, Germany, Norway, Qatar

• Factors influencing a country's classification include climate, resource availability, frequency of natural disasters, and social aspects, such as political stability, cultural diversity and social equality