Glossary
106 terms defined — economic, geographic, government & more
Parliamentary Democracy
GovernmentA system of government where the executive branch derives its legitimacy from the legislature (parliament) and is accountable to it. The head of government is typically a prime minister.
Example: The United Kingdom operates as a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy.
Government type
Physician Density
DemographicThe number of medical doctors per 1,000 people.
Example: Cuba has one of the highest physician densities in the world.
Physician density
Population
DemographicThe total number of people living within a country's borders. Population size affects economic output, resource needs, and political representation.
Example: India surpassed China as the world's most populous country in 2023.
Population
Population Distribution
DemographicThe pattern of where people live within a country.
Example: Australia's population is concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts.
Population distribution
Population Growth Rate
DemographicThe annual percentage change in population size, accounting for births, deaths, and migration.
Example: Niger has one of the highest population growth rates at over 3.5% annually.
Population growth rate
PPP (Purchasing Power Parity)
EconomicAn economic theory that adjusts currency exchange rates so that an identical good in two different countries has the same price. PPP-adjusted figures allow more accurate cross-country comparisons.
Example: China's GDP is much larger when measured in PPP terms than at market exchange rates.
Public Debt
EconomicThe total amount of money owed by a government to creditors, usually expressed as a percentage of GDP.
Example: Japan has one of the highest public debt-to-GDP ratios at over 250%.
Public debt
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