Final answer:
Countries with little or unproductive land can become wealthy by moving labor into productive sectors such as manufacturing, investing in human and physical capital, technology, and utilizing a market-driven economy to improve productivity and GDP per capita.
Step-by-step explanation:
How can a country with little land or unproductive land become rich? One key factor that enables countries with limited or poor-quality land to achieve wealth is the diversification of their economies beyond agriculture. This often involves moving labor into more productive sectors such as manufacturing and services.
Moreover, investments in human and physical capital and the adoption of advanced technology also lead to productivity improvements, driving economic growth. Countries with high income can focus more on providing nutrition, shelter, health, education, and consumer goods, and may prioritize environmental protection more than nations with lower per capita GDP.
These changes help increase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and, when coupled with lower population growth rates, result in a higher GDP per capita—that is, a higher standard of living. Additionally, a market-driven economy allows for these gains in productivity, as it facilitates the efficient allocation of resources and stimulates innovation and development. Therefore, the richness of a country is not solely dependent on the fertility of its land but is also greatly influenced by the intellectual resources and economic strategies it employs.