Globalization is narrowing the wealth gap between the richest and poorest populations around the world. Quality of life indicators like literacy rates, infant survival rates, and life expectancy have all improved globally since the 1970s. The incidence of global poverty has also fallen over this period. The drivers of globalization include scarcity of resources, trade liberalization, exploitation of third world labor, information technology, and expanding global markets. Countries that open themselves up to international trade tend to experience faster economic growth. Globalization is intensifying social connections between distant places such that local events are increasingly shaped by global happenings.

1. Globalization

2. What is the impact of globalization?

4. Quality of life improving 67%bb 80% Global literacy 67 44 Infant survival rates/1000 66 58 Average life expectancy 810m 920m People undernourished 1990’s 1970

5. Incidence of poverty is falling 24% 28.3% WORLD 46.3% 46.6% Sub-Saharan Africa 5.1% 0.2% Europe/Central Asia 11.3% 23.9% (- China) 15.3% 26.6% East Asia 1998 1987

7. Countries open to trade grow faster