Differences in levels of development between developing countriesDifferences within countries

In any developing world country there are massive differences between urban and rural areas.

Rural areas are far less likely to have access to clean water and sanitation, health and education facilities or to get help from international aid.

Brazil

Brazil has expanded its industry greatly in recent times, mainly in the south east of the country. The south-east also has:

• 84 per cent adult literacy
• 57 per cent of Brazil's wealth
• 42 per cent of Brazil's energy use

Amazonia is large but has very few people. It has:

• 58 per cent adult literacy
• 4 per cent of Brazil's wealth
• 1 per cent of Brazil's energy use

Brazil also has huge contrasts between its urban rich and its urban poor. The rich:

• live in modern apartments
• have good, well-paid jobs
• can afford all modern luxuries
• have a western-style standard of living
• can give their children a full education

In comparison, the urban poor:

• live in overcrowded favelas (shanty towns)
• have no clean water or sanitation
• work in the 'informal' sector
• can give their children, at best, a limited education