Countries to be developed by 2050 (high income, standard of living, airports)

[InsaneTraveler]

Soooo!!! Out of curiosity, which additional countries do you, the people of city-data, think will be put on the list of 'Developed' or 'High Income' by 2050?

In the year 1950, developed(First World) referred to only a very small number of countries. Namely, America(US), Canada, and a few Western/northern european countries. From 1950 to 2000, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Greece, Italy, Spain, and numerous others joined the list.

Here is a list of countries that are considered third world today, but I think they will achieve first world status by 2050.

Just a few to mention:

Mexico, Chile, Poland, Turkey, Russia, Malaysia

Today, these are all firmely established middle - income countries. If their current economic growth rate continues, then I am sure their futures are quite bright.

Are there any that you all would add to the list?

[minibrings]

Brasil

[Thomas R.]

Here are some possibilities I'm used based on a mix of UNDP Human Development trends and Transparency International Corruption Index.

Africa

Botswana
Mauritius
Tunisia

Asia

Oman

Eastern Europe

Albania

Latin America

El Salvador - A bit of a surprise to me too, but it's advancing fairly quick and is relatively uncorrupt by the region's standards.

[Bob-666]

Russia and Poland ought to have a bright future as they have low population densities. Thus a high ratio of agricultural/mineral wealth per person and tremendous export potential. Also they are at high latitudes so should be least affected by global warming. Mexico's economy is highly dependent on it's oil fields which are in terminal decline so it's future may not be so bright.

[pigeonhole]

Just seen on TV a report on Angola, thanks to diamonds and oil, and the end of the civil war and political stability since a few war, this African country is experimenting a boom, and believe it or not, the journalist was saying that up to 20% of the population is earning more than 30.000 $ (and among them there are already tycoons). One of the rare success stories on that continent?

[jaytr]

Corruption is a big factor in inhibiting development and increasing income. Infrastructure is also critical--not just roads/highways, electricity, and airports, but also high-speed/broadband Internet access, beyond just big cities. Ease of doing business and setting up small businesses is important.

Focusing on "average income" is absolutely stupid (skewed by the incomes of the rich). "Median income" is much, much more important.

All that said, these are countries making big improvements and likely to be considered wealthy/developed in the next two decades:
Poland
Czech Republic
Slovenia
Croatia
Hungary
the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania)
Kazakhstan
Colombia

Not saying all of the above are perfect, but from all that I've read, they're well on their way.

[Rodro666]

Chile is predicted to become developed by 2018 according to world bank,
argentina and uruguay a bit later i think.
And then eastern european nations such as poland , baltic states, etc.

[Canaan-84]

Originally Posted by InsaneTraveler

Soooo!!! Out of curiosity, which additional countries do you, the people of city-data, think will be put on the list of 'Developed' or 'High Income' by 2050?

In the year 1950, developed(First World) referred to only a very small number of countries. Namely, America(US), Canada, and a few Western/northern european countries. From 1950 to 2000, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Greece, Italy, Spain, and numerous others joined the list.

Here is a list of countries that are considered third world today, but I think they will achieve first world status by 2050.

Just a few to mention:

Mexico, Chile, Poland, Turkey, Russia, Malaysia

Today, these are all firmely established middle - income countries. If their current economic growth rate continues, then I am sure their futures are quite bright.

Are there any that you all would add to the list?

In geography class I learned that Mexico is considered a middle income country not a third world. How can you compare Mexico to third world African nations? According to the CIA world fact book only 13% of Mexico lives below the food based poverty line, in the UK it's 14% and in the U.S. it's 12% and their considered first world. Mexico also has more GDP than Spain and Greece, so how can it be a third world nation?

[El Rhino]

Originally Posted by Rodro666

Chile is predicted to become developed by 2018 according to world bank,
argentina and uruguay a bit later i think.
And then eastern european nations such as poland , baltic states, etc.

I remember hearing several years ago that Argentina was pretty much right on the verge of first world status. I know that at the early part of the century Buenos Aires was one of the wealthiest cities in the world. I know they've certainly had some economic woes since then. I wish them well.

Originally Posted by Canaan-84

In geography class I learned that Mexico is considered a middle income country not a third world. How can you compare Mexico to third world African nations? According to the CIA world fact book only 13% of Mexico lives below the food based poverty line, in the UK it's 14% and in the U.S. it's 12% and their considered first world. Mexico also has more GDP than Spain and Greece, so how can it be a third world nation?

Mexico also has twice the population as Spain and several times more than Greece as well sitting pretty good with resources. I've never been to Mexico, but I imagine they're slightly better off than what most Americans envision but still not to the same standard of living as us & Europe. I'd say they're a third world nation but definitely at the higher end of that spectrum (which is a pretty wide spectrum).


My prediction: Within a couple generations the gap between Eastern and Western Europe will close as the West dwindles and Eastern Europe develops. Brazil, Iran, Turkey and Mexico will show some improvements and stabilize.

[nature's message]

Chile
Panama
Czech Republic
Turkey
Poland
Hungary
China
Slovakia