1.1 Meaning and Definition of Underdevelopment Underdevelopment is a low level of development characterized by low real per capita income, widespread poverty, lower level of literacy, low life expectancy and underutilisation of resources etc. The state is the underdeveloped economy fails to provide acceptable levels of living to a large fraction of its population, thus resulting in misery and material deprivations. We need to note here that underdevelopment is a relative concept but it sustains absolute poverty. The original meaning of the term indicated that existing resources had not been exploited. The word is now close in meaning to ‘poverty’, although some oil-rich underdeveloped countries have high incomes which are enjoyed by the few. Indicators of underdevelopment include high birth rates, high infant mortality, undernourishment, a large agricultural and small industrial sector, low per capita GDP, high levels of illiteracy, and low life expectancy. 1.2 Economic develo
Comments
Post a Comment