Make globalisation great again

Has globalisation led to an increase in global development?

According to Ian Goldin (Globalization and Development: A Very Short Introduction), globalisation has contributed to poverty reduction, higher life expectancy, and broader economic growth.

He argues that Globalisation has boosted development by connecting countries through trade, investment, and technology. Multinational companies create jobs, while cheaper imports and exports improve living standards. Access to global markets encourages economic growth, new skills, and innovation. Tourism and cultural exchange also bring income and ideas.

However, benefits are uneven, and some communities face exploitation or loss of local culture.

Overall, globalisation has accelerated development opportunities for many nations.

The following development indicators measure improvements in human and environmental wellbeing, analyse them using the questions with each resource.

1. Does globalisation boost development?

Station 1. People living in poverty by world region.

This is probably the most important chart on this list. The extraordinary rate of economic growth in India and China — as well as slower but still significant growth in other developing countries — has led to a huge decline in the share of the world population living on less than $1.75 a day, from 53 percent in 1981 to 10 percent in 2015.

Chart analysis

  1. Which world region has experienced the largest decline in numbers of people living in poverty?

  2. Which region has the highest percentage of people still living in poverty?

  3. What was the percentage of the global population living in absolute poverty in 1990?

  4. What was the percentage of the global population living in absolute poverty in 2025?

Station 2. Share of people who are undernourished.

Hunger – also known as undernourishment – is defined as not consuming enough calories to maintain a normal, active, healthy life.

The world has made much progress in reducing global hunger in recent decades — we will see this in the following key insight. But we are still far away from an end to hunger. Tragically, nearly one-in-ten people still do not get enough food to eat.

Chart analysis

  1. Which regions still have a high percentage of malnutrition?

  2. Which region has the largest fall in hunger and undernourishment?

  3. Explain some of the reasons why these regions still have high rates of undernourishment

Station 3. Child mortality rate and GDP.

Child mortality is a key development indicator because it reflects health, nutrition, sanitation, and access to medical care.

High child mortality indicates poverty and poor living conditions, while falling rates show improvements in development, education, and infrastructure, making it a reliable measure of overall social and economic progress.

Chart analysis

  1. Which countries have the highest Child mortality?

  2. Which region has the biggest decline since 1960?

  3. State the relationship between GDP per capita and the child mortality rate

  4. How has increased globalisation contributed to declining rates of child mortality?

Station 4. Out-of-school children of primary school age

The number of out-of-school children of primary school age is a valuable measure of development. High numbers indicate barriers like poverty, gender inequality, or conflict. Low numbers suggest access to education, government investment, and social progress. Education strongly influences future opportunities, health, and economic growth, making this a key development indicator.

To do: questions

  1. Which region has the highest number of children out of school?

  2. Which region has had the largest fall?

  3. Suggest possible reasons for these lower rates

  4. List benefits for countries with higher school attendance.

  5. How might increased urbanisation linked to globalisation increase the percentage of children in school?

Station 5. Fertility rate vs. GDP per capita, 2019

In less developed countries (LEDC’s), fertility rates, the number of children born per woman, are usually high because of limited healthcare, education, and contraception.

As GDP rises and development improves, fertility rates decline. Smaller families mean more resources, better education, and improved health for children

To do: questions

  1. Define the fertility rate

  2. Which region has the highest fertility rate?

  3. Which region has the lowest fertility rate?

  4. Suggest possible reasons for these lower rates

  5. Why do you think there is a strong correlation between highly urbanised countries like Australia and lower fertility rates?