The table provides data from the United Nations in 1994, comparing four countries—Canada, Japan, Peru, and Zaire—across four social and economic indicators: annual income per person, life expectancy at birth, daily calorie intake per person, and adult literacy rates. These statistics highlight significant contrasts in living standards and development levels.
Japan and Canada are shown to have the highest standards of living among the four nations. Japan tops the list with an annual income per person of $15,760, followed by Canada at $11,100. Both countries also enjoy high life expectancies, with Japan at 78 years and Canada at 76 years. Additionally, their literacy rates are nearly universal at 99%, and they maintain sufficient daily calorie supplies of 2,846 in Japan and 3,326 in Canada, indicating good access to food and education.
In contrast, Peru and Zaire have much lower living conditions. Peru’s annual income per person is $160, while Zaire fares worse at $130. Similarly, life expectancy is significantly lower, at 51 years for Peru and only 47 years for Zaire. These countries also lag behind in terms of daily calorie intake, with Peru at 1,927 calories and Zaire at 1,749. Furthermore, literacy rates are strikingly low, particularly in Zaire, where only 34% of adults are literate, compared to 68% in Peru.
Overall, the data reveals a stark divide between the developed nations of Canada and Japan and the developing countries of Peru and Zaire. The figures suggest that wealthier countries benefit from better healthcare, education, and nutrition, while poorer nations struggle to meet basic living standards.