In particular, per capita incomes between countries have generally diverged over time, while life expectancies, and other health indicators such as the infant mortality rates, have converged (this trend was interrupted in the 1990s with the outbreak of the AIDS epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa).
Peaasjalikult on inimese kohta arvutatud sissetuleku erinevus riikide lõikes suurenenud, samas kui erinevus eluea ja teiste terviseindikaatorite vahel on vähenenud (see trend katkes 1990. aastatel Sahara-taguse Aafrika AIDSi-epideemia puhanguga).