The differences between rich and poor countries is highlighted by the World Health Organisation
(WHO) and the World Development Movement. The main points of concern are:
Almost half the world's population (2,800 million people) lives on less than $2 per day. 1,300 million of these live on less than $1 per day.
The richest 20% of the world's population enjoys 80% of the world's income while the poorest 20% make do with 1%. The gap between the richest
and poorest 20% has doubled between 1960 and 2000. In nearly 60 countries, income is lower in 2002 that it was in 1982.
In Africa 5,500 people die of HIV / AIDS every day. Most cannot afford
the drugs that would prolong their lives and ease their suffering. World-wide, 2 million people die every year. People in the rich countries live on
average 27 years longer than those in poorer countries.
130 million children do not receive any form of education.
More than 800 million people in sub-Saharan Africa do not have enough to eat while the region pays $40
million per week to service debts to the Western nations. The 52 most debt-ridden countries owed the West over $370 thousand million. Much of this
debt was incurred by non-democratic governments supported and loaned to by the West. The debt is roughly equal to the annual spending by one western
country (the USA) on its military budget.
