Why are countries of the Middle East not called ‘developed’ in spite of high per capita income? (2024)

FAQs

Why are countries of the Middle East not called ‘developed’ in spite of high per capita income? ›

Middle East countries cannot be called developed despite having a high per capita income. This is because development is not just about income but also about other factors, which these countries lack. The World Bank has excluded these countries from the list of developed countries due to their low development status.

The countries of the Middle East are not called developed in spite of high per capita income because of the following reasons:1) Middle Eastern countries have become rich only with the resources available and they have high per capita income due to the oil production. So, they have only one major source of income.

Solution: Middle Eastern countries are not classified as developed countries despite having a high per capita income because other parameters don't match the standards of a developed nation. Per capita income refers to the total income of the country divided by the total population of the country.

The four highest per capita income countries (Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates) enjoy an average per capita GDP of around $15,000 compared with $250 for Somalia and Sudan, the poorest countries in the region. MENA countries, especially the non-oil countries, have low domestic savings rates.

Countries may be classified as either developed or developing based on the gross domestic product (GDP) or gross national income (GNI) per capita, the level of industrialization, the general standard of living, and the amount of technological infrastructure, among several other potential factors.

Four member States of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), namely Mauritania, Somalia, the Sudan and Yemen, are categorized as least developed countries.

For more than a decade, policymakers in developing countries in the Middle East and North Africa have been confronted with high inequality, low growth, rising poverty, and high youth and female unemployment.

The countries of the Middle-East may have very high per capita income due to revenues from crude oil, but they are otherwise not developed in each sector (except Israel). Their literacy rate, life expectancy at birth and other similar parameters do not match those of developed countries of the West.

The quality of the infrastructure in the MENA region varies enormously across countries and sectors. It is good or well developed in the GCC countries, Lebanon, Jordan, Tunisia, and Morocco, but somewhat less developed in others.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region includes approximately 21 countries, according to The World Bank. The region has vast oil, petroleum, and natural gas reserves. Due to these reserves, MENA is an important source of global economic resources.

What is the difference between developed and developing countries? ›

The countries which are independent and prosperous are known as Developed Countries. The countries which are facing the beginning of industrialization are called Developing Countries. Developed Countries have a high per capita income and GDP as compared to Developing Countries.

The economies that have high per capita income and support a high standard of living are referred to as developed economy and, on the other hand, economies that have low per capita income resulting in a low standard of living is referred to as underdeveloped economy.

Unlike developed countries, developing countries lack rule of law. Access to healthcare is often low. People in developing countries usually have lower life expectancies than people in developed countries, reflecting both lower income levels and poorer public health.

Underdeveloped countries have very low per capita income, with many residents living in very poor conditions with little access to education or health care. Additionally, underdeveloped countries tend to rely upon obsolete methods of production and social organization.

Experience shows that poor management of natural resources, substandard governance, and under-investment in education and human resources are associated with slow growth rates and low real per capita income.

Unfair trading practices and insufficient aid are both causes of underdevelopment. The system of international trade developed under imperialism, whereby developing countries export cheap raw materials and import expensive finished products persists to this day.

At the time of the Industrial Revolution (in Europe), most people of Saudi Arabia were still nomadic. People who are nomads are not likely to build factories to "industrialize."

Economy. According to the definition from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Saudi Arabia is a developing country because of its lower economic performance.

Physical factors - some areas have a hostile or difficult landscape. This can make development more difficult. Examples of this are very hot climates or arid (a lack of water) climates which make it difficult to grow sufficient food. Economic factors - some countries have very high levels of debt .