Global Stratification

Stratification results in inequality when resources, opportunities, and privileges are distributed based on position in social hierarchy.

Industrialized countries have greater levels of wealth and economic development than less-industrialized countries.

Industrializing countries have low standards of living, undeveloped industry, and low Human Development Indices (HDIs).

The world's least industrialized countries have low income, few human resources, and are economically vulnerable.

There is a wide gap between the wealth of the world's richest countries and its poorest.