Countries with relatively low material well-being are sometimes called less developed countries. Less developed countries are countries that have low economic growth and little to no industrialization. In the previous section, you learned how to measure the level of development of a country.

Click on the factors below to learn more about less developed countries:

Interactive popup. Assistance may be required. GDP In less developed countries, the GDP is low because the workforce is usually based in agriculture due to little or no industrialization.

Interactive popup. Assistance may be required. Literacy Rate Because the economy in less developed countries is mainly agriculturally based, education is not available to all. Literacy rates are low in less developed countries.

Interactive popup. Assistance may be required. Infant Mortality Due to a lack of an adequate medical system, infant mortality tends to be higher in less developed countries.

Interactive popup. Assistance may be required. Life Expectancy Life expectancy is lower in less developed countries. Poor diet, a lack of proper medical systems, and impoverished conditions make life expectancy low for these countries.

Less developed countries are located in eastern Europe, northern and southeastern Asia. Africa has less developed nations in some of its northern and sub-Saharan areas, as well as in the southern region. Many countries in Latin America are also considered less developed.

In many less developed countries there is a lack of technology and industrialization. Believe it or not, not all people have cell phones. The graph below compares mobile phone subscribers in the less developed and more developed countries to countries worldwide.

Source: Mobile phone subscribers per 100 inhabitants 1997-2007, Wikipedia

1. Which type of country had more mobile phone subscribers from 1997 to 2007, more developed or less developed?
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   More Developed. The blue line indicates that in 1997, 18 people out of 100 subscribed to a mobile phone in 1997 in a more developed country while only 1 person in 100 subscribe to a mobile phone in less developed countries. The rate for both types of countries continues this trend until 2007.
2. Globally, how many people per 100 subscribe to a mobile phone company in 2005?
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   In 2005, there are 34 people for every 100 who subscribe to a mobile phone company worldwide.

The United Nations' ECOSOC (Economic and Social Council) focuses on addressing social and economic issues. Watch the following video that explores the correlation between poverty and education found in less developed countries. Complete the activity that follows in your notes.

Imagine that you have been selected to address ECOSOC at the United Nations. You have three minutes to explain how the lack of education of 67 million children will impact the literacy rate in less developed countries worldwide. You must also offer a solution to the council and explain how your solution will change the lives of children in less developed countries.