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The wealth of traditional and rising superpowers contrasts sharply with the continuing poverty of some peoples and nations. The gap between wealth and poverty can be measured in a variety of ways, but is generally taken to be increasing. A range of theoretical concepts can help explain the geography of the development gap, and its pattern can be illustrated through the study of trade and investment flows. The development gap can be seen in terms of rural and urban divides, and in terms of ethnicity and gender.
Development can reduce the gap, and raise people out of poverty, but it often comes with social and environmental costs, and it has not occurred in all locations. The challenge is to begin to reduce the development gap in countries and regions which have so far failed to benefit from the processes of globalisation. There are numerous ways this might be achieved, but there is no universal agreement of which way might be best.