Socio-economic disparities in the Mediterranean

Mediterranean countries are characterized by differing degrees of socio-economic development. There are many disparities that can be measured by demographic, social, economic and other indicators. Today it is standard practice to generalize about industrialized northern countries and less developed southern ones. The Human Development Index proposed by the United Nations is a good overall indicator that makes it possible to classify countries according to general levels of development. It is more comprehensive than indicators of economic growth since it is based on levels of GNP, life expectancy, literacy and schooling. For illustrations of economic disparities, there is useful UN data on income, employment, trade, agriculture, industy and so on. In the case of regional trade, it is possible to go beyond the basic data and elaborate a 'Partnership Index'. However, comparison between countries solely on the basis of quantitative data is insufficient, for indicators can be subjective and culturedependent. Development is often easier to feel than to measure.