Globalization Facts & Figures

Inequitable Distribution

• Among the 4.4 billion people who live in developing countries
• THREE-FIFTHS have no access to basic sanitation
• Almost ONE-THIRD are without safe drinking water
• ONE-QUARTER lack adequate housing
• ONE-FIFTH live beyond reach of modern health services
• ONE-FIFTH of the children do not get as far as grade five in school
• ONE-FIFTH are undernourished
• The 3 RICHEST PEOPLE in the world own assets that exceed the combined gross national product of ALL LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES and their 600 million people.
• The richest 20% of the world’s population enjoys a share in global income that is 86 times that of the poorest 20%.
• More than 1.2 billion people in the world live on less that $1 a day. More than 50% of them are children. Nearly 1 billion cannot meet their basic consumption requirements.
• The assets of the 200 richest people are more than the combined income of 41% of the world's people.
• A yearly contribution of 1% of their wealth or $8 billion could provide universal access to primary education for all.
• Industrialized countries hold 97% of all patents, and global corporations hold 90% of all technology and product patents.
• Over 80% of foreign direct investment in developing and transtition economies goes to just 20 countries, with China receiving the maximum share.
• Debt relief for the 20 worst affected countries would cost between US $5.5 billion to $7.7 billion, LESS than the cost of ONE stealth bomber.

Inequitable Consumption

• Basic education for all would cost $6 BILLION a year;
  $8 BILLION is spent annually for cosmetics in the United States alone.
• Installation of water and sanitation for all would cost $9 BILLION plus some annual costs;
  $11 BILLION is spent annually on ice cream in Europe.
• Reproductive health services for all women would cost $12 BILLION a year;
  $12 BILLION a year is spent on perfumes in Europe and the United States.
• Basic health care and nutrition would cost $13 BILLION;
  $17 BILLION a year is spent on pet food in Europe and the United States.
• $35 BILLION is spent on business entertainment in Japan;
  $50 BILLION on cigarettes in Europe;
  $105 BILLION on alcoholic drinks in Europe;
  $400 BILLION on narcotic drugs around the world; and
  $780 BILLION on the world's militaries.
• 20% of the world's people in industrialized countries account for 86% of total private consumption expenditures,
  while the poorest 20% account for 1.3%
• The overall consumption of the richest 20% of the world’s people is 16 times that of the poorest 20%.
• The share of the poorest 20% of the world's people in global income is 1.1%, down from 1.4% in 1991.
• There are 16 cars per 1,000 people in developing countries and 405 cars per 1,000 people in industrialized countries.
• On average, developing countries have one doctor for every 6,000 people whereas industrialized countries have one for every 350 people.

Sources: United Nations Development Programme, Human Development Report 2000 (New York: Oxford University Press, 2000); ________, Human Development Report 1999 (New York: Oxford University Press, 1999); ________, Human Development Report 1998 (New York: Oxford University Press, 1998).