The World's Richest Country. compare and contrast

[Gloria]

Countries: Compare and contrast

The United States is the world's wealthiest country.
Cambodia is very poor.
Germany is wealthier than we would have guessed.
Russia is poorer than we would have guessed.
Japan's wealth is amazing relative to the rest of Asia.
Some countries have big wealth.
Some countries have medium wealth.
Most countries have little wealth.

Continents: Compare and contrast

Three continents (North America, Europe, Asia) have big wealth.
Three continents (Australia, Africa, South America) have little wealth.
If it were not for Japan, Asia would not be nearly so wealthy as it is.
Western Europe (England, France, Germany, Italy) is much wealthier than Eastern Europe (Russia, Hungary, Modova).

Do you agree? .. what do you think? .. compare and contrast!

[sunshine4]

First I have to say, I am no expert on this subject.

I do agree that America is the wealthiest country. I just heard that 98% of the automobiles are used in America.

I would think that Europe would be the next wealthiest.

It is sad to think about all we have and all the complaining we do because we think we need more.

It is good to put things into perspective.

[Gloria]

Originally Posted by sunshine4

First I have to say, I am no expert on this subject.

I do agree that America is the wealthiest country. I just heard that 98% of the automobiles are used in America.

I would think that Europe would be the next wealthiest.

It is sad to think about all we have and all the complaining we do because we think we need more.

It is good to put things into perspective.

You are welcome Sunshine4! ...

[AngryCat]

Religion reallt affects views on a wealth. In the protestant countries a personal wealth is much valued than in other countries.

[Gloria]

you are welcome AngryCat!

[bika]

I dont agree that Russia is poor> Are you expert or this is just you are making fun?

[Gloria]

Originally Posted by bika

I dont agree that Russia is poor> Are you expert or this is just you are making fun?

No Bika! I cannot make fun of Russia!.. besides, Russia is a great and powerful nation. The poverty in Russia is something quite "hidden" but Russia is poorer than you think. Russia used to be very prosperous during the Soviet Union. However, since the collapse of the Soviet Union, we are seeing a new Russia. In the World Bank's Poverty Assessment Report on Russia, researchers concluded that the situation in Russia had essentially improved. Since the poverty levels peaked in 1999 at 41.5%, poverty was cut in half by 2002 to 19.6%. About 30 million people have improved their financial standing, however the number of people in poverty is still high - every fifth Russian lives well below the official poverty line. According to the World Bank, the most vulnerable group was the rural population. About 30.4% of the rural population lives in poverty, while 15.7% of the urban population is poor. Children under 16 have a higher incidence of poverty, about 25%. According to the report, the North Caucasus, South Siberia and parts of Central Russia are the poorest regions in Russia. I hope that helps!

[katharina]

I'm not sure I agree with some of this. Is this per capita? Are you saying that the United States is weathier than a place like Saudi Arabia or UAE?

Are you taking only the small percentage of really rich people or are the millions of poor and suffering counted in there as still being wealthy?

Another thing that surprised me about the list was that Australia is in the "little wealth" category.

Actually I think I heard that Luxembourg is the wealthiest country.

Ah, I just looked it up... USA came in 8th according to mapsofworld. com. Where was the information from this article from?

[Gloria]

You are Welcome Katharina!

[Gloria]

Originally Posted by katharina

I'm not sure I agree with some of this. Is this per capita? Are you saying that the United States is weathier than a place like Saudi Arabia or UAE?

Are you taking only the small percentage of really rich people or are the millions of poor and suffering counted in there as still being wealthy?

Another thing that surprised me about the list was that Australia is in the "little wealth" category.

Actually I think I heard that Luxembourg is the wealthiest country.

Ah, I just looked it up... USA came in 8th according to mapsofworld. com. Where was the information from this article from?

Yes! you are very right.. well this is a "compare and contrast" situation.. I know most people do not agree with this list but that depends on how best you can support your side of the argument.

[AngryCat]

Originally Posted by Gloria

No Bika! I cannot make fun of Russia!.. besides, Russia is a great and powerful nation. The poverty in Russia is something quite "hidden" but Russia is poorer than you think. Russia used to be very prosperous during the Soviet Union. However, since the collapse of the Soviet Union, we are seeing a new Russia. In the World Bank's Poverty Assessment Report on Russia, researchers concluded that the situation in Russia had essentially improved. Since the poverty levels peaked in 1999 at 41.5%, poverty was cut in half by 2002 to 19.6%. About 30 million people have improved their financial standing, however the number of people in poverty is still high - every fifth Russian lives well below the official poverty line. According to the World Bank, the most vulnerable group was the rural population. About 30.4% of the rural population lives in poverty, while 15.7% of the urban population is poor. Children under 16 have a higher incidence of poverty, about 25%. According to the report, the North Caucasus, South Siberia and parts of Central Russia are the poorest regions in Russia. I hope that helps!

I live in Russia and I can add some points, I believe.
Well, first of all the situation improved since 2002. High oil prices, economical changes really helped it. And I don't think everything was that bad anyway, it didn't felt like it.
The second, Russia somehow is still divided in two parts: a historical Russia and its ex-colonies (yeah, it's not good but it is so). In some regions (excectly North Caucas and some Siberian parts) nations/tribes still lead a rather old-fashion or primitive lifestyle (Chukchi - as an example) Of course they are poorer than the average population.

[Indiescribe]

Another angle on wealth is that in a few countries a wide disparity of income exists between the rich and the poor. My country India, has this in a greater degree. But the unique thing about my country is the thriving middle class which is driving the economy forward.