The aim of this piece is to assess and contrast the levels of Wealth, Health, Education, and Nutrition in a developing 3rd world country with those in a well-developed 1st world country (New Zealand). Despite their marked distinctions, this article will investigate how these two countries measure up against one another.
Niger is a landlocked Sub-Saharan country that ranks as the 171st most undeveloped nation globally. Its economy depends on subsistence agriculture, animal rearing, export trade, and previously uranium, which has become less profitable due to declining global demand. The reduction of the West African franc by 50% in 1994 boosted exports of livestock, vegetables, and cotton products. Despite receiving substantial economic aid from developed countries, life remains challenging for many Nigerians with 64% earning less than $1 per day. In contrast, New Zealand transformed from an
...economy reliant on British market access to a thriving free-market economy that competes globally. This growth has led to increased incomes and technological capability in the industrial sector while raising the per capita income to reach 80% of the level of Europe's four largest economies.
Although New Zealand heavily relies on trade, especially in agriculture, its economy is thriving. In contrast, Niger struggles and depends significantly on foreign aid to advance. The state of health and nutrition in Niger is a cause for alarm as no progress has been made over the last ten years. The country experiences some of the highest rates of vitamin A and iodine deficiencies.
Although Niger has a strong agricultural output, it still struggles with food consumption and malnutrition. On average, each person in the country only consumes 1930 calories per day despite the government spending
60% of its budget on food. The problem of malnutrition is widespread, particularly among children, with over 32% being undersized and half of those severely so. Other concerning statistics include more than 15% being exhausted, over 36% underweight.
The prevalence of diarrhoea in infants within Niger is notably elevated, with 43% of minors below five years old experiencing this ailment. In response to this predicament, the nation is collaborating with the World Health Organization to manage disease transmission. Although the government enforces specific health and labor laws and administers multiple medical establishments, numerous social assistance programs catering to disabled persons, elderly individuals and orphaned children are overseen by conventional tribal and familial networks.
In Niger, where 350 out of every 1000 births result in death, high infant and child mortality rates are prevalent. These rates are attributed to common feeding practices among young first-time mothers who wean newborns early and feed them water, herbal teas, and cow's milk just 4-5 days after birth. On the other hand, New Zealand has a significantly different health and nutrition status with challenges related to inadequate food intake being faced by Nigerians while overconsumption of unhealthy foods and insufficient exercise have caused 35% of New Zealanders to become overweight. Additionally, half of children in the country fail to consume the minimum required servings of fruits or vegetables each day leading to excess calorie intake across all age groups.
While video games and television are popular among children in developed countries, they may not be accessible to kids in Niger. On the other hand, 13% of New Zealand's children do not participate in physical activity on weekends. Despite this, the country has a
relatively high life expectancy with men living an average of 76 years and women living an average of 80 years. In the past, New Zealand was a pioneer in welfare programs that provided free medical care, hospital care, pensions, unemployment benefits, and family support for disability or sickness issues; however, some of these benefits have been reduced or made less available recently with certain medical care now being charged.
While basic necessities like proper nutrition, clean water, and sanitation facilities are lacking for the majority of people in Niger, New Zealanders have enough food to eat. However, there is concern about obesity due to low levels of physical activity and consumption of fatty foods. In contrast to Niger, most households in New Zealand have access to clean water and facilities such as toilets and showers. The education system in Niger faces challenges with only 32% of children attending school despite it being free and compulsory for ages 7-15, possibly due to factors such as teacher shortages and scattered population. Religious beliefs also play a role as some view schooling as inappropriate for girls.
Some people believe that school doesn't adequately equip girls for their future roles as spouses and mothers, and are concerned that attending school could hinder girls' ability to marry at a suitable age, as girls as young as 12 are often wed. The professional school has just 2,400 students, but they are taught by well-trained teachers. Further education is offered at the University of Niamey. Fluent literacy is achieved by only 24% of adult males and 9% of females.
A promising development is that the said figure has demonstrated a 6% progress in the past
decade, as well as advancements in school attendance and employment rate. Throughout New Zealand, compulsory education is mandated for youths aged from 6 to 16 years old; however, many younglings begin their schooling at age 5 and continue until they are 18. Public education at no cost is available from ages 5 through 18, and the NCEA assessment, taken while in year 11, 12 and 13, is a fundamental component of commencing one's education in New Zealand. Pre-school facilities often accommodate children aged from three to five in countless regions. Reading and writing proficiency extends to an impressive 99% of individuals aged fifteen and over, and the unemployment rate rests at a mere 4 percent.
Comparing Niger and New Zealand, it is evident that New Zealand's education system is more advanced. New Zealand has 2647 schools, while Niger only has 1164. However, even though New Zealand has twice as many schools, its population of 3,993,817 is only a quarter of Niger's population of 11,360,538. In summary, only 7% of New Zealand's workforce is available as compared to Niger.
After reading about the vast differences and harsh realities, it is certain that you now appreciate how fortunate you are to live in New Zealand.
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