Friday, September 14, 2007

Globalization facts-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.

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