A developed country is one which provides a high standard of living to its people as a result of the per capita income and Gross Natural Product. Many European countries which have already developed all their resources and have reached a high level of development can now generate their own capital as they do not have any financial restrictions and can thus enjoyed a high standard of living, a high capital income and a high productivity. In contrast, under developed nations are said to be court up in a vicious circle of poverty. In such countries, as Asia, Africa and Latin America where financial problems and Economic stagnancy exist, people lived below the poverty line. According to Professor Ragnar Nurkse, "Economic development has much to do with human endowments social attitudes, political conditions and historical accidents," implying that underdevelopment is a man-made problem, for which man-made solution need to be found.
Overpopulation is a major characteristic of over-population. One of the common features of developing countries is a rapid rate of population increase. This rate has been rising still more in recent years as a result of advances in medical sciences, mortality rate has been reduced cause by epidemics and diseases. While death rate has fallen phenomenally, birth rate does not yet show any significant decline. So that the natural survival rates becomes much larger. In countries like India, Pakistan and Burma a remarquable population explosion is recorded. As a result, more mouths need to be fed, more roofs need to be built for shelter, more jobs need to be created and more schools set up. Therefore, when resources do not reach demand, malnutrition, unemployment, illiteracy and other social problems tend to set in. In Europe, to deal with the problem of over-population, abortion has been legalised as a method of family planning. However, in Catholic countries, like Ireland, use of contraceptive pills and other methods of planning have been banned.