The table presents data provided by the United Nations on four social and economic indicators in Canada, Japan, Peru and Zaire in 1994.
Overall, a direct correlation can be seen between annual income and other indicators such as life expectancy, daily calorie supply and adult literacy. In general, Japan and Canada clearly outperformed Peru and Zaire in almost all categories. The only exception was Japan’s daily calorie intake, which was not the highest despite having the greatest income.
Japan had the lead in terms of annual income, at $15,760 per person, and life expectancy, which reached 78 years. Canada followed closely, ranking second with an income of $11,100 and an average life expectancy of 76 years. However, Canadians consumed the highest amount of calories per day, at 3,326. Adult literacy rates in both countries were almost perfect at 99%.
In stark contrast, Peru and Zaire showed much lower figures. People in Peru earned only $160 per year, while in Zaire the income was even lower at $130. Life expectancy was also short, at 51 years in Peru and 47 years in Zaire. Of note, the literacy rate in Peru was twice as high as in Zaire, at 68% compared to 34%.