Mind the gap

Thanks to NBK for pointing out the Gapminder, a fascinating tool for exploring economic development or undevelopment. Click a country and then hit the play button. Countries like the US, China and India track slowly upward (which means life expectancy and per capita income are increasing.) Countries like Macedonia show a retrograde path on income while holding flat on life expectancy. Botswana is a sad case, it tracks along nicely and then gets walloped by AIDS. Rwanda gets clobbered as well.

The year bar can be used to take a look at the relative position of all countries as well. Lots of good information on that site.