DEMOGRAPHICS, ECONOMIES AND HEALTH IN THE GLOBAL NORTH AND SOUTH: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract This study examines disparities between the Global North and the Global South, focusing on demographic trends, economic development, and health outcomes. The research compares six countries—the USA, Japan, Germany (North), Kenya, Nigeria, and Jamaica (South)—to highlight differences in life expectancy, migration, GDP, and healthcare systems. Results reveal that Global North nations consistently achieve higher life expectancy, stronger economies, and superior healthcare outcomes, driven by advanced infrastructure, industrialization, and structured financing models. In contrast, Global South nations continue to struggle with high fertility and dependency burdens, limited industrialization, weaker financial systems, and fragmented healthcare, which contribute to a dual burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Correlation and regression analyses demonstrate significant interrelationships between demographic indicators and economic performance: life expectancy and migration positively influence GDP growth, while dependency ratios and high fertility hinder development. Principal Component Analysis and cluster dendrograms further illustrate country-specific demographic variations shaped by historical, political, and economic crises. The discussion highlights how colonial legacies, uneven globalization, and inequities in healthcare financing exacerbate these divides. The paper concludes that reducing the North–South gap requires investments in universal healthcare, equitable resource distribution, and sustainable demographic and economic planning to promote global health equity and long-term development. KEYWORDS: Global North, Global South, Demographics, Life expectancy, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Standard of living, Population trends, Regional disparities.