Notes on Key Issue 1; Chapter 9 Development- the process of improving the material conditions of people through diffusion of knowledge and technology More Developed Countries (MDCs) - has progressed further along the development continuum Less Developed Countries (LDCs) - a country in an earlier stage of development Human Development Index (HDI) - recognizes that a country?s level of development is a functio9n for all three factors 3 factors- economic, social and demographic Highest HDI is Norway at 0.944 in 2001 Economic Indicator is gross domestic product per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) - value of the total output of goods and services produced in a country Jobs three categories- primary, secondary and tertiary