Our modern world is amazingly diverse. It is a neighborhood of rich and poor, developed and developing countries. How do they differ from each other? And which states can be classified as economically developed? Read about it in our article.
Developed and developing countries: the problem of identification
At the very beginning, it should be noted that the UN does not provide clear criteria by which a country can be attributed to one or another type. Thus, developed countries (English version of the term: developed countries) are designated as states that currently occupy a leading position in the world economy.
Developing countries are states with low living standards, lack of free market mechanisms, oligarchic governments, and so on. It is interesting that in the modern world there are also countries that do not develop at all. For these states, the UN came up with another class: "least developed states." The latter include Niger, Somalia, Chad, Bangladesh and a number of countries in Africa and Asia.
Such states of the planet as Japan, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, as well as a number of European countries are usually classified as economically developed countries of the world. But the countries former USSR and are not included at all in any of the above groups, which indicates a certain subjectivity and imperfection of this political and economic classification.
Economically developed countries: the essence of the concept and selection criteria
Under economically developed states are meant countries with a market economy and the highest standard of living of their citizens. There are criteria according to which economists single out developed countries. These include the following:
- market model of the economy;
- high GDP per capita (over $12,000 per year);
- high social standards;
- the predominance of service enterprises in the structure of the economy;
- openness and transparency of power;
- active development of science and education;
- manufacturability and high productivity Agriculture.
Today, economically developed countries are the main carriers of the world's scientific and technical potential. In many ways, it is this feature that is the main factor in the competitiveness of their economies.
Geography of developed countries
Developed countries today account for about 75% of the world's gross domestic product. At the same time, only 15% of the population of the planet Earth lives in these states. It is between the developed countries that the main part of international capital and "minds" moves.
According to the classification of the IMF (International Monetary Fund), 34 modern states belong to economically developed countries. These are the USA, Canada, all countries of the Eurozone, some states of East Asia, as well as Australia and New Zealand. The map below gives a general idea of their planetary geography (all developed countries of the world are marked in blue on it).
In the group of developed countries, the “seven” of the most developed countries also stands out. These include the USA, Japan, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain and Italy.
Industrial states of the planet
Industrialized or industrialized countries are a group of states whose economies are based on industry, industry. In the English literature there is a term: industrial countries.
If an industrial product occupies more than 50% in the structure of the country's GDP and exports, then it is usually classified as a group of industrialized countries. The list of these countries is determined by the IMF. Moreover, it is regularly changed and corrected.
In addition to industrial countries, the world also distinguishes agrarian (the economy of which is based mainly on agriculture), as well as agro-industrial countries.
Developed country examples: Japan
The Japanese economy is one of the most developed in the world. In terms of GDP, Japan ranks third in the world. High technologies are highly developed here, Japanese cars and ships are valued all over the world. The Japanese transportation system is known for its high-speed and modernized railways and highways.
The Japanese economic model is very unusual. It provides for the unity of big capital and state power in solving the pressing problems of the country. The government, together with the largest Japanese concerns, are clearly coordinating their actions.
Agriculture in Japan manages not only to provide for its huge domestic needs, but also exports about half of all food produced in the country abroad. The basis of the agricultural complex here are small farms and farms.
USA: historical aspects of the state economy
The current success of the American economy is the result of several factors. Which ones?
First of all, this country got at its disposal vast and sparsely populated expanses, with the richest natural resource potential. On its basis, both industry and agriculture effectively developed. Another important point: in the United States there have never been so-called pre-capitalist relations, the "traces" of which would put spokes in the wheels of the country's development.
During the 19th-20th centuries, a huge number of "minds" moved to the United States - highly qualified, active and promising personnel. All of them have found their application in a prosperous overseas country, which laid a powerful foundation for the development of American science, higher education and technology.
The rapid growth of the population in the United States stimulated the development of the service sector. The country's economy has become consumer-oriented: already in 1915, the millionth passenger car was produced in the United States. It should be noted that none of the World Wars caused any damage to the US economy and infrastructure (unlike the countries of Europe, Russia or Japan, which took a long time to recover from the hard times of the war).
The role of the state in the modern American economy remains high. It fully controls the activities of individual branches of the national economy. First of all, we are talking about the military sector, the nuclear industry and some other areas.
Is Russia a developing or a developed country?
Is Russia a developed country or not? The International Monetary Fund answers this question unequivocally: no. Although Russia is not on the list of developing countries. But the Russian Federation can be safely attributed to the number of industrialized countries.
Economy Russian Federation- the fifth in the world in terms of total GDP. Its share in the world economy is about 3-3.5%. The leading sectors in the structure of the national economy of Russia are mining, construction, manufacturing, and the electric power industry.
The country exports mainly oil, natural gas, oil products, non-ferrous metals, timber, as well as various military equipment. Among the main import items, it is worth highlighting rolled steel, cars, appliances and equipment, pharmaceuticals and more. The main foreign trade partners of Russia are China, Germany, Belarus, Poland, Kazakhstan, France and Italy.
Finally…
Developed countries are states that occupy a leading place in the modern world economy and politics. All of them are distinguished by common features: high living standards, openness of power, the rapid development of science, the active introduction of high technologies in production, agriculture and other areas of people's lives and activities.
According to the IMF classification, there are 34 developed countries in the modern world. Almost all of them are located in the Northern Hemisphere, mainly within Europe.
Highly developed countries, how are they distinguished from the total number of states? How to determine whether a particular state can be called highly developed?
International statistical services use a special indicator called the HDI (Human Development Index) to rank countries. It is he who is the main criterion for determining the level of development of the country. Depending on its indicator, the level of development of the state can be characterized from "low" to "very high". Most highly developed countries are those whose human development index is close to the score of 1.
The value of the HDI depends on several factors. Such indicators as life expectancy, level of education, quality of life, well-being of children, equipment and level of health care, economic well-being and simply human happiness of the population are evaluated. The calculation formulas use all of these variables as factors. Based on the data obtained, the top ten best countries for human life are determined. Critics (especially from those countries that did not make it into the top ten) consider the HDI assessment to be inaccurate and vague. However, after reading the top list of ten highly developed countries, every sane person will understand that the error, if any, is very small.
Highly developed countries Top 10
1.Norway
Score: 0.943
The Kingdom of Norway is a country that has been ruled by monarchs since ancient times, and which can be proud of its excellent level of education and impressive low level unemployment. This country, the first of all states, in 1163 officially proclaimed the right to inherit the throne. Much later, already in 1814, a constitutional monarchy was proclaimed in the country.
The average life expectancy of Norwegians is 80.2 years, and there are simply no people living below the poverty line in the state. Norway became one of the main founding countries of NATO, but the country rejected the proposal to join the EU. Despite this fact, Norway still maintains friendly neighborly relations with all European powers. In addition, Norway has become one of the sponsors (in addition to being considered one of the founders) of the UN, it is also a leading member of the OECD and the WTO. The kingdom is rich, it owns the world's largest reserves of oil, gas, timber, various minerals, fresh water, and seafood. Norway has received universal international recognition for the development of world health, the improvement of the advanced foundations of the education system, the improvement of systems social security citizens. It is thanks to these factors that the Kingdom of Norway deservedly takes the honorable first place in the ranking of highly developed countries compiled by the UN.
2.Australia
Score: 0.929
In terms of economic development, Australia ranks only 13th in the world ranking (its GDP is $ 918,978,000,000) and 5th in per capita income ($ 40,836). In Australia, the form of government is a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy. This country occupies a leading place in the ranking in terms of quality of life: happy people live, there is quality healthcare and good system education (100% literacy and a large percentage educational institutions on the number of inhabitants). It is important for every person that the rights and freedoms of citizens are respected in this country: full protection of human rights, economic and civil freedom.
22.7 million residents of the state are satisfied with a stable government that protects the interests of its citizens, peace and sustainable development of the state, environmental protection measures, life expectancy (81.2 years). In addition, Australians are pleased that Australia is a fantastically popular country to visit: tourists from all over the world flock here to get in touch with the wild, protected by people, nature and see beautiful cities like Sydney.
3. Most highly developed countries: Netherlands
Score: 0.910
The Netherlands (the more popular but officially incorrect name Holland) is nominally ruled by a monarch (King Willem-Alexander), but, in fact, the state is governed by a democratic parliament. Over the years of development, the Netherlands has been able to achieve high rates of education and literacy, with a virtual absence of the poor and unemployment. The Netherlands plays a leading role in the activities of the WTO, EU, OECD and NATO. The state is often referred to as the "legal capital of the world", since it is home to the main legal instances of the five international judicial systems. The state GDP is impressive ($ 832.160 billion), which in terms of per capita corresponds to $ 49,950. According to a survey conducted in 2011, 16,700,000 people live in the Netherlands who consider themselves happy people. Holland is a country with a stable economy, honest government, low taxes and amazing cities (the capital city of Amsterdam is an example). People here live a full, healthy and happy life, its average duration is 79.8 years.
4.United States of America
Score: 0.910
America has come a long way since 1776, when, after the victory over the British in the American Revolution, a new state appeared. Today, having overcome many difficulties (civil war, the Great Depression, participation in world wars), the United States has become the most influential state on the planet. The states have the largest GDP ($15 trillion, which equals $48,147 per capita). The United States is one of the world's major commodity importers and exporters. The USA is a very multinational state, for example, in California, out of almost 40 million inhabitants, 50% of the total number are from Asia, Latin America and Africa.
But in terms of human happiness in the United States, everything is not particularly rosy, here the States are losing points a lot. Of the 315 million people in the country's population, 15% are considered poor, unemployment reaches an average of 9% (and in some states it reaches 14%). Experts argue that the American education system lags far behind similar systems in most developed countries. The US is also losing points in health care, as although life expectancy is relatively high at 79 years, obesity is skyrocketing. This problem exists in 33% of the adult population, among children the figures are almost the same. In addition, for many years America has a huge debt to other states.
5. New Zealand
Score: 0.908
Geographically, New Zealand is located on a remote small group of islands. Thus, the state can be proud of the stunning landscapes and the free life of animals. To admire the amazing flora and fauna of these places, many tourists visit the country every year. Although New Zealand is governed by parliament, the head of state is the monarch, Elizabeth II. The country has excellent indicators in terms of living standards and happiness of citizens. This state is an active supporter of peace, a protector of the environment and animals. Zealand's GDP is $157.877 trillion ($35,374 per person). The population of the island state is about 4.3 million people. Experts praise the education, literacy and sanitary standards of the country. Perhaps this explains the significant life expectancy (average 80.2 years). In addition to the beauty of nature in New Zealand, there is something to admire. For example, magnificent modern cities, such as Wellington.
6.Canada
Score: 0.908
In terms of land area, Canada is the second country in the world after Russia. The country's parliamentary democracy coexists perfectly with a constitutional monarchy. Even this country has two anthem - "Oh Canada" and "God Save the Queen." Economically, the country is well developed (per capita GDP is $51,147 with a total GDP of $1,758 billion). The population of Canada is considered one of the most educated and intellectual in the world. This is supported by the fact that most Canadians speak two or even three languages. Thanks to a developed and well-functioning healthcare system, the average life expectancy of Canadians is at around 80.7 years. Taxes in the country are low, and the country has approximately 34.7 million inhabitants. Many tourists visit the country every year to look at Niagara Falls or visit the capital Ottawa and the ancient city of Quebec.
7. Ireland
Score: 0.908
Ireland, which is governed by a parliamentary democracy, has only 4.5 million inhabitants. The Irish literacy rate is high (99%), life expectancy is estimated at an average of 78.9 years. GDP – $203.89 trillion ($45,497 per person) The state stands guard over the rights and freedoms of its citizens. Ireland was hit hard by the economic crisis that began in 2008. The country has accumulated huge debts, however, the country is successfully cooperating with the leading EU states (France and Germany) and is successfully moving forward in solving this problem.
8. Liechtenstein
Score: 0.905
The small Principality of Liechtenstein provides its citizens with a decent, comfortable and joyful life. This country is one of the least populated countries in the world. For every person in the population of 35,000, there is a high GDP ($141,000). At the same time, the country has many zero indicators: zero poverty, zero unemployment and zero public debt. The Principality is famous for its very low taxes. If you ever feel like making an exciting trip to Europe, then go to Liechtenstein. There you can explore the capital of the Grand Duchy of Vaduz and visit the majestic Castle, which has been the home of the princely family for many years, as well as chat with someone from the 5100 inhabitants of the glorious cozy city.
9.Germany
Score: 0.905
Germany is one of the most economically developed European countries. A high level of education ensured 100% literacy of the German population, and 82.2 million people live in the country.
German advanced technology, especially in the automotive industry, has proven itself throughout the world. German cars of various brands (Volkswagen, Mercedes, BMW) are popular due to the reliability of their design and build quality, which was made possible by the use of a highly skilled workforce. The life expectancy of Germans is 79.4 years. The country's GDP is $3.5 trillion, which is $40,631 per capita. Despite the fact that unemployment in the Federal Republic of Germany takes place (it is approximately 7%), the level of poverty is extremely low.
10. Sweden
Score: 0.904
The Kingdom of Sweden, with its capital Stockholm and a population of 9.3 million people, is an economically stable European state. A small territory (the size of the country is comparable to the US state of California) did not prevent the state from becoming financially strong and independent. The Swedes are among the wealthiest ($35,876 GDP per person) and the happiest people on the planet. In addition to economic stability, liberal Sweden is characterized by environmental sustainability, a significant life expectancy (80.9 years), a high level of health care and education.
Peace. The ranking of these countries depends on the criteria used for the analysis. For example, development can be economic, and this is not equivalent to the wealth of the country as such. Or technological, which involves comparing achievements in the field of science and production. In addition, there is the concept of the human development index. It includes a number of factors. These are the level of literacy of the population, life expectancy, education and total score standard of living. The most developed countries in the world according to the Human Development Index (HDI) should have high performance in all these areas. The data is collected, analyzed, classified and presented in the United Nations Human Development Report.
Norway
The seven most developed countries in the world are headed by Norway. This is a very beautiful country with a predominantly mountainous landscape. The coast is cut by deep picturesque fjords. The main part of the income in the country's economy comes from the sale of petroleum products. Shipbuilding, engineering and sea fishing are also well developed.
The population of the country is small - less than 5 million people. For comparison, this is about a quarter of the population living in Moscow. The climate is very changeable. It is perfectly characterized by the local saying “Don’t like the weather? Wait for 15 minutes".
Statistics show that the most developed countries in the world have a low level of corruption and crime. And the Norwegians are no exception in this respect. They highly respect the law. Crime is practically absent, even theft is unthinkable. Right on the road near the farm, they often set up a table with products - vegetables and fruits. There is also a price tag, scales, bags and a jar for money. And no one around. This is the kind of self-service. Houses are not locked during the day. The only exceptions are big cities.
There are many mushrooms and berries in Norway, but it is not customary to collect them. The Norwegians just don't know how to do it. Therefore, in a harvest year, you can easily collect a 100-liter bag of porcini mushrooms in a couple of hours.
Australia
Australia continues the list of the most developed countries in the world. This country is also not densely populated. However, 88% of the inhabitants live in cities. The isolation of the continent contributed to the development of unique representatives of flora and fauna. In addition to being rich in natural resources, pearls, opal and unique pink diamonds are mined here. The mild climate and fertile soil allow for the successful development of agriculture. Sheep breeding, cultivation of wheat and sugar cane are very popular. Australian wines are also highly valued.
Australia is often associated with kangaroos and deserts, but the Australian Alps have more snow than Switzerland. The "dog fence" built to keep out wild dogs is longer than the Great Wall of China. And in 2001, the Australian football team defeated American Samoa with an unprecedented score of 31:0.
Switzerland
Switzerland ranks third in the HDI ranking. This country is located in the center of Europe. Despite its relatively small area, Switzerland is generously endowed with magnificent landscapes, mountains and lakes. Here the state maintains high employment of the population, which often distinguishes the most economically developed countries in the world. The sphere of tourism, mechanical engineering, production of computer equipment, metalworking and watch production are developed. In addition, Switzerland is one of the world's recognized financial centers.
The government's approach to the fight against drug addiction is interesting. Drug addicts are provided with a place to sleep, a portion of food and a dose of the drug. Experts have calculated that it is much cheaper and more effective than the consequences of crimes that would be committed on the basis of drug addiction.
Denmark
Denmark is included in the list of "The most economically developed countries in the world" under the fourth number. This is a small country in which the service sector is the most developed in the labor market. Agriculture is also developed. The number of pigs exceeds the population of the entire country by five times.
Bicycling is the most popular mode of transport here. Not the last role in this was played by the fact that many Danes do not have a personal car, since the tax on it is extremely high.
The Faroe Islands that are today once belonged to Norway. They were attached to Denmark in an unusual way - the Norwegian king lost them at cards.
Netherlands
The Kingdom of the Netherlands consists of mainland and insular parts. Agriculture is developed in the country. Farmers here produce 2.5 times more products than farmers on similar land areas in neighboring countries of the European Union. Here is the largest port in Europe, and in terms of logistics water transport The Netherlands ranks first in the world.
Telecommunication systems, equipment and first-class technologies are actively developed and produced. From here, medical equipment worth tens of billions of euros is annually exported to the most economically developed countries of the world.
Germany
Many of the most developed countries in the world boast vast territories and low population density. Germany is the complete opposite in this regard. It is by far the most populous country in the European Union.
The Germans are very industrious. The working week lasts 6 days. And the punctuality and accuracy of this people have long been legendary. Germany is a recognized world leader in a number of technological and industrial sectors. All over the world, German cars are valued, which are actively exported from the country. So many scientific discoveries was made by German scientists. Their contribution is evidenced by the astounding number Nobel laureates from this country.
Ireland
Back in the 1990s, Ireland was one of Europe. And today it confidently overtakes the most developed countries of the world in terms of economic growth. This historically agrarian country has retrained and directed funds and forces to the development of pharmaceuticals and the production of high-tech components. Intel microchips are made here, and the headquarters of Facebook, Microsoft, Twitter, Google and Linkedin are located here. This is where Apple products are made.
Rough and beautiful. Labyrinths of caves and mountains, sheer cliffs and mysterious forests, picturesque sea coast and limestone cliffs - all this is in Ireland. Ornithologists can watch auks, fulmars and puffins, marine life fans have the opportunity to see humpback whales, dolphins and seals. Three geoparks hold treasures in the form of incredible landscapes. And for lovers of antiquity, the remnants of medieval towerhouses built to strengthen the power of English peers are scattered throughout the country.
To date, the list of developing countries consists of 150 states and territories. They occupy most of the land. Many of them were independent even before World War II. However, I would like to consider this topic in all its details.
First group of states
In those days, when there was still a division into capitalist and socialist systems, developing countries were called the "third world". Now they are very heterogeneous. And because of their diversity, it is very difficult to build any typology. Nevertheless, a certain classification exists.
The first group includes the so-called key states. These are Mexico, China, as well as Brazil and India. They are included in the list of developing countries because they have huge economic, human and natural potential. These four states produce as much industrial output as all the others put together. But in terms of GDP, everything is bad. In India, $350 per capita is less than 23,000 rubles.
Higher level
The second group includes states that have also reached a relatively good level of economic and social development, but only with a GDP of more than a thousand dollars. Most of these countries are in Latin America. These are Venezuela, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina and many other states. There are also countries with a similar level in North Africa and Asia.
But this is not all developing countries. The list of states includes only six groups. The third includes industrial territories. These are the countries that made the jump in the 80s and 90s. And the growth has been amazing. The states were even given the nickname "Asian tigers". And based on such an original name, you can guess which countries these are. These include Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong (an administrative region in China) and Taiwan. Also in the list of developing countries of the second group includes Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia.
Remaining list
The fourth group, which is included in the list of developing countries, is formed from those states that are engaged in oil exports. Thanks to this resource, GDP per capita can vary from 10 to 20 thousand dollars. Naturally, the list includes Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Qatar, Kuwait, and also Brunei, Libya, etc.
The largest group is the fifth. It is made up of the "classic" developing countries of the world. The list contains the names of states with a multi-structural backward economy and feudal remnants. Per capita GDP is less than $1,000 per year. Most of the countries in this group are in Asia, Latin America and Africa.
And finally, the last category. It is formed by 40 states belonging to the so-called fourth world. That is, those territories where agriculture predominates, and consumer agriculture at that. In such countries, there is practically no manufacturing industry and about 2/3 of the inhabitants are illiterate. GDP is 100-300 dollars a year (!). And that is a very good indicator. So, for example, in Mozambique, the GDP is 20 cents a day!
minimum wage
Of course, the developing countries of the world, the list of which is quite impressive, are of particular interest from the political and economic points of view. But most ordinary citizens want to know about salary levels.
If you believe the statistics for 2015, published by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, it is best to live in Luxembourg. There, the minimum wage is $2,190. This is a little more than 143,000 rubles. In second place is Australia with $2,159. This is approximately 141,000 rubles.
Germany is in third place. In the former Germany, the minimum wages are $1,958, which is 128,000 rubles. Following in the ranking are the Netherlands with a minimum wage of $ 1848, which is equal to 120,700 rubles. In the next place is Belgium with $1,776. This is about 116,000 rubles.
The lowest minimum wage rates in Europe are in Romania and Bulgaria. The minimum you can count on here is 230.4 and 195 dollars, respectively (15,000 and 12,700 rubles). But even this is twice as much as in Russia. And even more so in Ukraine, where the monthly minimum wage is $53.7 (3,480 rubles). In general, the states that occupy the first lines in the ratings of the minimum wage are the key developing countries. The list is actually longer - you can read it individually.
World Economy Leaders
Well, in the end - a few words about the states that can boast of a really high standard of living and economy. Developed and developing countries, the list of which is quite wide, make up our entire world. But only the first of these produce ¾ of the gross world product. But only 15-16% of the population of the entire planet lives in developed countries. But it is they who, one might say, hold the entire economy on their shoulders.
These are the USA, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands, Germany, Greece, Great Britain, Cyprus, Italy, Spain, Finland and several dozen more states. But, despite their status, salaries in many "leading" countries do not please local residents. In the same Greece, mentioned in the list, the minimum wage is 580 € (40,200 rubles). However, it is still more than in Russia.
This post is a collection of information about the most powerful economies in the world - the result of a small discussion on Facebook. We needed accurate comparative data on the development of economies in countries on a number of items. The most characteristic position, in my opinion, is GDP per capita. More precisely GDP (gross domestic product) per capita at purchasing power parity (PPP). It is this indicator that is the most accurate characteristic that determines the level economic development as well as economic growth.
Latest data collected on Wikipedia laid out in the form of tables, « in the analysis of which it should be taken into account that countries use different so-called systems of national accounts. So the USA, Canada, Ukraine and 28 EU countries presented their data for 2014 in accordance with the new 2008 SNA, other countries, like Russia, are still according to the 1993 SNA, and even then not in full: without taking into account the conditional residential rent and valuation natural resources. The main difference of the 2008 SNA is that it additionally takes into account intellectual property, financial derivatives, R&D and arms expenditures. Thus, the addition of new accounting items leads to a significant increase in macroeconomic indicators (including GDP per capita at PPP), especially for countries with highly developed technologies. This may serve as a justification for additional issuance of cash.”
Despite some differences in the tables, it can be seen that for the most part, the analysis data are almost similar, and the best indicators are not at all for such giants in the production of products and technology development as the USA, Japan, Germany, China, etc. According to this indicator ahead of the rest Qatar, Luxembourg, Macau, Norway, Singapore, Switzerland, etc.
This material is compiled according to a different criterion: simply the total annual volume of nominal Gross Domestic Product. Whoever has it more, who produced the most various products, that country has a higher position in the ranking. It's that simple.
Providing data on the economies of the countries of the World below, as a very visual representation of their power, I give a simple example in the form of a picture: countries with economies less than just one of the US states - California.
The rating of the strongest countries in the world is compiled according to the criterion of nominal GDP, it also takes into account the ever-increasing influence of the East on the economy of the planet. Russia in the top ten states strengthened in ninth position.
1. USA
GDP$15,094,025 Capital Washington Population 313 232 044 people Year of foundation 1776 Territory 9,518,900 km2 (without dependent territories). US economy has held the lead for the past 100 years. Its components are the world's largest banking system and stock exchange, transnational corporations, highly productive agriculture and leadership in innovative and high-tech industries, in particular computer and telecommunications (Apple, Microsoft). In 1732, Great Britain decided to close hat factories across America - and obliged the colonists to buy expensive hats made in English factories. They say that such dictatorship was one of the causes of the American Revolution and the subsequent economic boom in the country.
Currently, 139 of the world's top 500 companies are headquartered in the US, almost twice as many as any other country. About 60% of the planet's foreign exchange reserves are converted into US dollars and only 24% into euros. One of the most influential financial markets in the world has been deployed in the country.
In the field of information technology, the United States has no equal. So, in the ranking of Business Week magazine, out of 100 IT companies, 75 represent the United States, and in the first twenty there are 17 "Americans", including Apple, Microsoft, IBM, Adobe and others.
According to statistics, during the US Football Championship, the average American spends on discussing matches in work time 10 minutes a day. The damage is more than $800 million.
The first skyscraper in the world appeared in 1885 in Chicago. For 2011, only 4 of the 25 tallest buildings on the planet are located in the United States.
In the US, the children of wealthy parents do not live on their money, but try to build their own careers, relying only on their education and connections acquired during their studies.
GDP$7,298,147 Capital Beijing Population 1 347 374 752 people Year of foundation 1949 (PRC) Territory 9,596,960 km2 China at the beginning of the 21st century is a space and nuclear power that by 2020, according to the plan of the Communist Party of China, should catch up with the United States in terms of total GDP income. Exports provide 80% of China's government foreign exchange earnings. The country leads in the production of more than a hundred types of products, of which the most advanced are automotive and textile. The Chinese economy is the fastest growing in the world; its consistent growth rate is about 10% over the past 30 years. The country is also the largest exporter and second largest importer of goods. China's per capita GDP is $7,544. According to the average estimates of experts, in 8-10 years the absolute figures of China's GDP will catch up and, perhaps, surpass those of the United States.
Provinces in China's coastal regions tend to be more industrialized than those in peripheral regions. By the way, the territories of Hong Kong and Macau are de facto independent and have special status. You need a special permit to visit them.
The national currency is the yuan, which measures the value of the Chinese "people's money" renminbi (RMB). The yuan exchange rate is set by the state, besides, it cannot be purchased abroad. 1 euro costs about 8 yuan, 1 yuan is a little more than 5 rubles. The Starbucks chain of coffee shops in China is much more famous and stronger in various indicators than the fast food restaurant McDonalds.
China's population in 2012 was over 1.3 billion people. According to average estimates, it will stop growing by 2030, when it will reach 1.465 billion
Annual exhibitions of achievements in the field of high technologies are held in China, the most famous of them is the Canton Fair in Guangzhou (CECF, Canton Fair). It is one of the most important events in the world of production and trade.
3. Japan
GDP US $5,869,471 CapitalPopulation 126,400,000 people Year of foundation 660 BC e. Territory 377,944 km2 In terms of GDP and industrial production Japan ranks 3rd after the US and China. High technologies have been developed - electronics and robotics, as well as transport engineering, including automobile, ship and machine tool building. The fishing fleet is 15% of the world. Agriculture is subsidized by the state, but 55% of food is imported. In the three decades since 1960, Japan experienced rapid economic growth as a result of the post-war "economic miracle". On average, its rates were 10% in the 1960s, 5% in the 1970s, and 4% in the 1980s.
Japan has a high degree of economic freedom: the government works closely with the manufacturer, stimulating its development. The main focus is on science and high technology. All this, as well as strict labor discipline, contribute to the rise of the Japanese economy.
A distinctive feature of the country is "keiretsu" - associations of manufacturers, suppliers, distributors around powerful banks, as well as relatively weak international competition in domestic markets. In addition, there are many more social than industrial arrangements: for example, the guarantee of lifetime employment in large companies.
The three main banks in the country - Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), Mizuho and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG) - are now overflowing with deposits.
Japan is the world's "robot capital". In terms of the number of industrial robots used, it overtakes even the United States
MUFG alone has 129 trillion yen ($1.6 trillion) in deposits and is the second largest bank in the world. The problem is that MUFG does not yet know how to dispose of this money.
4. Germany
GDP$3,577,031 Capital Berlin Population 81 751 600 people Year of foundation 1990 Territory 357,021 km2 Economy of Germany- the largest in Europe. The engine of foreign trade is industry, which makes up a large share of GDP. Agriculture and energy are also developed: the country is a confident leader in the production of wind and solar generators, information and biotechnologies. Germany is the 2nd exporter in the world: a third of national production goes abroad. Germany has a leading economy in the European Union and is the main creditor for most European countries, including crisis Greece. Most of the country's products are related to technology: these are cars and equipment. The chemical industry is also widely deployed. The largest German companies operating in these industries have branches, research centers and production facilities around the world.
Among them are the famous automotive concerns Volkswagen, BMW, Daimler, the chemical companies Bayer, BASF, Henkel Group, the Siemens conglomerate, the energy companies E.ON and RWE, or the Bosch group. Cities such as Hannover, Frankfurt and Berlin host the largest annual international exhibitions and congresses.
Germany is a leading manufacturer of wind turbines and a major developer of solar energy technologies in the world.
IN late XIX century, Great Britain, in an attempt to protect its market from second-rate imports, obliged German goods to be labeled "Made in Germany".
Now Germany is experiencing a real "boom" of the automotive industry. It owes this to its key sales market - China.
However, after a couple of decades, the quality of goods from Germany has improved so much that this marking has become a mark of the highest standard.
5. France
GDP$2,776,324 Capital Paris Population 65 447 374 people Year of foundation 843 (Treaty of Verdun). Territory 674 685 km2 France by total economy occupies a leading position in the EU and consistently enters the top ten in the world. Leading in mechanical engineering, chemical and aerospace industries. In terms of agricultural production, it is ahead of Germany, and in terms of agricultural exports - the United States. The share of wines in exports is traditionally high. A major center of tourism: more than 75 million travelers visit France every year. The French economy is the fifth largest in the world and the second largest in Europe (after its main partner, Germany). The country entered the recession of 2008-2009 later than everyone else and was able to exit earlier than most comparable countries. From January to March 2011, France's GDP growth was more dynamic than expected and amounted to 1%. One of the best performance in Europe!
France is a nuclear power and one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, and it is also the most visited country in the world. Paris can be called the tourist capital of the planet, and the Eiffel Tower is the most popular attraction on Earth. These facts automatically make France the champion of world tourism, which makes up a large share of the state budget revenue. By the way, tips here are already included in your bill and amount to 15% of the order amount.
It is the most famous wine producing country in the world. Wine was produced here even during the invasion of the Romans under the leadership of Julius Caesar. According to statistics, 72% of the French have difficulty understanding the numerous wine brands.
Champagne was first produced in France in the 17th century. The drink was immediately nicknamed "devilish" - it blew up the barrels in which it was stored
Only the legendary Bordeaux (Bordeaux) has more than 9,000 varieties! The best liqueurs in the world are also produced in France.
6. Brazil
GDP$2,476,908 Capital Brasilia Population 189 987 291 people Year of foundation 1822 Territory 8,514,877 km2 Brazil has the largest economic potential among Latin American countries and produces a variety of products from petroleum products, steel and consumer goods to computers, cars and aircraft. One of Brazil's main exports is coffee. The country also leads in the production of sugar cane, from which ethanol is produced. Brazil runs one of the fastest growing economies in the world, with its GDP growing at an average rate of over 5% per year. The country still maintains a high level of social inequality, inherited by the state from the time of the long colonization by Portugal. However, in last years he went down.
The 1970s were the beginning of the Brazilian "economic miracle". It was at this time that a successful national program was initiated to replace gasoline with more environmentally friendly and cheaper ethanol. Within its framework, the government also obliged the largest automobile concerns to assemble only those models that can run on ethanol.
Now more than a third of GDP is provided by agriculture. The most important fact: Brazilians own 46% of the world market for Arabica coffee - the best coffee. At the same time, this state is the most controversial in Latin America in terms of investment. All large companies tend to be highly monopolized and managed by closed groups with state participation. The country has a number of customs prohibitions on imports, which makes it difficult to buy household appliances.
You can get to Mount Corcovado, where the statue of Christ the Savior stands, by rail - a train with two trailers rushes up the slopes entangled in the jungle
According to Forbes (2011), Brazil ranks eighth in the world in terms of the number of billionaires.
7. UK
GDP$2,417,570 Capital London Population e 62,698,362 people Year of foundation 1801Territory 243,809 km2 Main export items– mechanical engineering, manufactured goods and chemicals. The industrial corporation British Petroleum, which occupies the 2nd place in Europe in the ranking of the largest, allows saving on the import of petroleum products and brings significant profit. The UK is also the world's second largest exporter of white clay, which is used to make porcelain. Many historians tend to believe that if the Great October Revolution had passed Russia, the country would have developed along the path of Great Britain. Today Britain is one of the most globalized countries in the world. London, along with New York, is the world's largest financial center and has the largest GDP among European cities.
An important role in the British economy is played by the pharmaceutical industry and oil production - the country has oil and gas reserves in the North Sea in the amount of about 250 billion pounds. Britain carries out 10% of world exports of services - banking, insurance, brokerage, advisory, as well as in the field of computer programming. The country is currently ranked 4th in the world (and 1st in Europe) in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business Index.
The UK National Health Service is the third largest employer in the world after the Chinese Red Army and railway India.
According to a tradition established at the beginning of the 20th century, the birthday of the monarch is celebrated in the UK on one of the Saturdays of June - regardless of the actual date.
Despite the deep integration (including economic) of all the countries of the Kingdom, you will be refused if you wish to pay with Scottish pounds in stores in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. Most Brits don't even know what that money looks like!
8. Italy
GDP$2,198,730 Capital Rome Population 56 995 744 people Year of foundation 1946 Territory 301,340, with islands 309,547 km2. Italy is a global supplier home appliances, one of the leaders in automotive and industrial equipment. Exporter food products: cheese, pasta, wine, olive oil, fruit and vegetable preserves, as well as ready-made clothes and leather shoes. At the same time, Italy has few natural resources and imports most raw materials and more than 80% of energy. After the Second World War, Italy went through a long path of significant economic transformation: starting from a total backlog, it achieved a developed industrial economy. Per capita income was three times less than in the same period in the United States. Almost half of the country (42.2%) was employed in agriculture. Currently, according to the IMF and the World Bank, Italy's economy is eighth in the world and fourth in Europe in terms of nominal GDP, as well as tenth in the world and fifth in Europe in terms of GDP calculated at PPP.
Italy is heavily oriented towards foreign trade. Many of her food products are known all over the world. So, legendary Italian wines, cheeses, pizza are exported. Almost all products are marked with a special DOC (Denominazione di origine controllata) mark, which is a designation of the highest quality - this helps the foreign consumer to “weed out” simply similar products (for example, the German Gambozola cheese is an imitation of the Italian Gorgonzola).
Italian fashion houses Versace, Gucci, Prada, Cavalli, Dolce & Gabbana, Armani and others are widely known.
The status of the most expensive car was acquired by the Italian sports car Ferrari 250 GTO of 1962, sold in 2012 for 35 million US dollars.
Motorists are familiar with the names of Italian car brands: Ferrari, Maserati and Lamborghini.
9. Russia
GDP$1,850,401 Capital Moscow. Population 143 030 106 people Year of foundation 862 (beginning of Russian statehood). Territory 17,098,246 km2. Russian economy characterizes a significant dependence on energy prices. According to the Federal State Statistics Service, 65.9% of Russia's exports consist of minerals. The remainder are metals and gems(16.3%), products of the chemical industry, machinery and equipment. Russia is historically rich in intellectual resources. Unfortunately, most of them realize their potential in the West. For example, Max Factor was founded by Maximilian Faktorovich, who opened his first store in Ryazan and emigrated in 1904. It is also worth remembering Google founder Sergey Brin and Daimler engineer Boris Lutsky.
Thanks to the economic reforms of the 1990s, most industrial assets were privatized in Russia, with the exception of energy and defense enterprises. The main problem of the country is its heavy dependence on energy resources, in particular oil and gas. The stock market is also on its way to becoming and is considered by many to be speculative. By the way, since 2011 Moscow has the highest concentration of billionaires in the world.
According to the calculations of the consulting giant PricewaterhouseCoopers, by 2014 Russia will overtake Germany in terms of GDP and enter the top five countries.
Negotiations on Russia's accession to the WTO began in 1995, the accession itself will take place in September 2012
A large influx of foreign investment and a new stage in the development of the economy, according to experts, should follow in the near future - they are associated with world-class sporting events: the Olympics in Sochi in 2014 and the World Cup in 2018.
10 India
The monument-mausoleum of the Taj Mahal is a symbol of the tender love of King Shah Jahan for his wife, the beautiful Mumtaz Mahal.
GDP 1,430,020 US$. Capital New Delhi. Population 1 210 193 422 people Founded in 1950 (full independence from the UK). Territory 3,287,590 km2. Economy of India covers all sectors: from agricultural production to industry. 67% of the working-age population is directly dependent on agriculture, which accounts for a third of GDP. India is the largest exporter of tea and has the largest number of cattle in the world. At the same time, the defense, nuclear and space industries are highly developed.In the 17th century, India was the richest country in the world - until the arrival of colonizers from Great Britain. The Dutch, Danes, French, Portuguese and other peoples fought for trade privileges here. The country is the birthplace of algebra, trigonometry and chess. Now India is a vibrant and diverse state, its economy is increasingly integrating with the world economy.
The economic reforms carried out in the country since 1990 have far-reaching consequences. General Electric Capital considers this country unique, PepsiCo considers it the fastest growing, and Motorola is confident that India is becoming one of the world's leading powers. Currently, the state is dynamically ascending to the position of the world leader in the IT sector.
One of the main advantages of India is the high qualification and relatively low cost of labor, which is actively used by transnational corporations. Now, in terms of GDP in terms of purchasing power parity, India has taken the 4th place in the world, and in 2050 its volume will overtake the American one.
Despite rapid economic growth, India continues to face problems of social inequality and high unemployment.
Text Dmitry Zolotavin, financial consultant of A-Club in Tyumen, Alfa-Bank
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