Social Development Indicators

Standards of living are difficult to measure, but indicators of social development are available. A basic measure, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, is the value of all goods and services produced within a region over a given time period, averaged per person. A more advanced metric, the Human Development Index (HDI), considers life expectancy, education and GDP. The highest HDI-ranked countries are Norway and Australia, with the United States ranked 4th.1 Many of the indicators discussed below are used to measure progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) - a set of targets agreed upon by United Nations member states as crucial for global human progress.

Population
The 2011 U.S. population is 312 million and world population is over 6.9 billion.2 Global population is projected to reach 9.2 billion in 2050, with 6.3 billion people living

of women of reproductive age dont have access to in urban areas 80% more than in 2010. contraceptives.7

Significant issues affecting population, as reported by governments around the world in

2007 include: HIV/AIDS, infant and child mortality, maternal mortality, adolescent fertility, and life expectancy at birth.4 Life expectancy is below 50 years in many developing countries; its 79 in the U.S.5 Fertility rate, or number of births per woman (of childbearing age), is projected to fall

from a global average of 2.52 in 2010 to 2.17 by 2050. Fertility rate is as high as 7 in

some countries; in the U.S. its 2.07.6 Globally, contraceptive use is increasing. However, in more than 40 countries, 20-46%

of women of reproductive age dont have access to contraceptives.7

In 2005, 1.4 billion people lived below the world poverty line of $1.25 USD per day, down from 1.9 billion in 1981. The World Bank Chief Economist expects to achieve the MDG to cut 1990 poverty levels in half by 2015.8 According to their GINI Index rankings, Denmark, Japan, Sweden and Azerbaijan have among the most equal income distributions in the world. The U.S. is ranked 76th out of the 145 countries measured.1 In 2010 more than 15% of the U.S. population 46.2 million were living in poverty (income under $22,113, family of 4 with 2 kids). For Hispanic and Black populations in the U.S., more than 26% of each group was living below the poverty line.9 Approximately 650,000 people were homeless in the U.S. in 2010.10 security statistics.11 Food Water and Sanitation Average disposable income spent on food, 2.6 billion people lack beverages, and tobacco ranges from 17% in highaccess to proper income countries to 53% in low-income countries. sanitation. Access is On average, Americans spend less than 10%, while lowest in Southern Asia Nigerians spend 73%.12 and sub-Saharan Africa, Globally, 30% of deaths of children under 5 are where only 1 of 3 people caused by under-nutrition.13 have proper facilities. The Green Revolution led to large increases in Urban areas also have agricultural yields, and helped feed the rapidly better sanitation coverage growing global population in the second half of 76% compared to 45% in the 20th Century. Sub-Saharan Africa was the only rural areas.16 developing region where food production increased primarily because of increased crop area, not crop yield.14 The UNFAO publishes a comprehensive set of food

Standard of Living

In 2008, 87% of the world population had access to clean drinking water 1.8 billion more people than in 1990. However, in Oceania and sub-Saharan Africa only 37% and 47% of the rural populations, respectively, have clean drinking water. More than a quarter of the population in several Sub-Saharan countries must travel 30+ minutes to collect water; most often women collect water in developing countries.16 Complete Set of Factsheets <http://css.snre.umich.edu/facts>

Deaths from Unsafe Water and Sanitation, 200215

Angola Afghanistan Iraq India Mexico China

72,200

U.S. 6,600 5% 0%
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10%

15%

20%

25 %

Healthcare and Disease

Health Aid and Indicators, Developing Nations5,17

In 2007, 90% of national governments reported HIV/AIDS as a significant problem.4 Globally, 33.3 million were infected with HIV and 1.8 million died from AIDS in 2009. Most HIV cases 22.5 million are in sub-Saharan Africa. Incidence rate (annual number of new infections) and deaths are declining in many southern African countries due to behavior changes and better HIV treatment options.18 Diarrheal diseases kill 1.8 million annually; 90% are children under 5. Most (88%) of the infections are attributable to unsafe drinking water, improper sanitation services, and hygiene.19 In 2009, 781,000 died from malaria, of which 91% were in Africa and 85% were children under 5. Preventive measures such as treated bed nets, indoor insecticide spraying, and anti-malarial drugs have reduced deaths. At least 2 dozen countries have officially eliminated malaria since 1960.20

Total to 144 Recipient Countries

Indoor cooking with fuelwood and animal dung results in 1.5 million deaths per year, more than 50% of which are children under 5.21 Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death in the world. A healthy diet, regular physical activity, and avoiding tobacco could reduce premature deaths from cardiovascular diseases and strokes by 80%.13 Globally, about 150 million people incur catastrophic healthcare costs each year (greater than 40% of households capacity to pay).22
Education and Employment

Aid for MDG 6: HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Other Diseases

Global literacy is significantly improving. For example, youth literacy in Southern Asia is 80%, up from 60% in 1990. However, in at least a dozen countries, including Afghanistan, Ethiopia, India, and Yemen, illiteracy rates are at least 25% higher for females than males. In Afghanistan female illiteracy is 87% highest in the world.23 Cuba and Lesotho spend the highest percentage of GDP on education 13.6% and 12.4%, respectively in 2008. The U.S. spends around 5.5% of GDP each year.1 Between 1991 and 2005, primary school enrollment in Sub-Saharan Africa increased from 52% to 72%; the 2005 world average was 87%.21 In Least Developed Countries (LDCs), the average amount of schooling is 3.7 years. In the top 25 HDI-ranked countries, the averages are 9.7-12.6 years of school.1

Adult Literacy Rates, 20101

Note: Adult literacy is 15 years and older. Youth literacy is 15-24 years old.

 Environment

Most global warming is very likely (>90% certainty) caused by anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. In the 21st Century, natural and social systems will likely face increasing risks of extinction for 20-30% of plant and animal species; more coastal flooding and erosion, heat waves, droughts, tropical storm intensity; and health risks associated with malnutrition and water-related diseases. Declines in crop productivity in lower latitudes and freshwater availability are likely. Poor communities are especially vulnerable to climate change because of their low adaptive capacity and high dependence on climate conditions (e.g., rain for agriculture).25 The Stern Review found that investing 1% of global GDP annually in greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions could avert a permanent reduction of 5-20% GDP per capita due to climate change impacts. 26 The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that regional GHG mitigation costs vary considerably, but range from -1% (a net gain) to 5.5% of GDP on average globally.25

Conclusions

Progress has been made toward many of the Millennium Development Goals. Please see http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/ Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, through 2010, have continued to exceed giving 0.7% of their Gross National Income (GNI) as Official Development Assistance (ODA) towards achieving the MDGs.17 The U.S donates a