Top 10 Most Resource Deprived Countries of the World - Part [2/2]

6. Japan

Japan has raced ahead of all fellow nations in terms of technological advancement. From a completely closed economy (except trade relations with Holland), Japan has gradually transformed into a technology hub where new technology and advanced gadgets are always waiting round the corner. With its multinational automobile giants like Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, Daikin and Suzuki one is left wondering about the vast, non-exhaustive resources that this country might possess to support such a high level of industrial advancement. But the fact is, Japan is among the least blessed nations in those terms. She is an island country which is regularly lashed by typhoons, charred with volcanic ash and roughly shaken by earthquakes. But, this nation has stood against all odds, heavily depended on foreign imports of food, energy as well as metals and surpassed all its competitors. Today, Japan is heavily under debt (about two hundred times its gross domestic product!) and is growing old with its ageing population but the dedicated masses with their workaholic culture threaten to overshadow even the most developed countries in terms of technology.

7. Hong Kong

Here comes another Asian Tiger. Resource poor Hong Kong grows in close proximity with the resource rich China. It has no support of natural sources of energy and so Hong Kong has to rely on trade for the same. But it has managed to achieve high growth rates after the bouts of industrialization in the second half of the twentieth century. Hong Kong is remarkably the world’s largest entrepot. It has advanced processing and assembling units that sell off the final product in international market for handsome prices. Though Hong Kong is a small country but it has certainly made a place for itself in the global markets.

8. Jan Mayen

Jan Mayen is a part of the kingdom of Norway and lies in the Arctic ocean. Some authority over these volcanic islands has been transferred to the Norwegian Armed Forces and it depends on the Kingdom of Norway for its administration and governance. The economy of Jan Mayen runs basically on providing services for the radio communication and meteorological stations on the island. Besides, Jan Mayen has pristine gravel but it has not been exploited yet.

9. Singapore

Singapore’s success story hardly needs an introduction but what is worth a mention is the fact that Singapore has achieved it all despite being absolutely zero in terms of resource possession. It is deprived to the extent that it has to even import drinking water from neighbouring country of Malaysia. Singapore is a tiny island but it stands among the leaders in terms of re-exports, economic growth figures as well as development policies of the government. It imports raw material, processes and refines it, manufactures products and exports those commodities which fetch high prices for this country. Despite being small in size, Singapore has managed to bag a seat among the Four Asian Tigers.

10. Gibraltar

Sharing its northern border with Spain, Gibraltar is a very small country with absolutely no resources to its service. It is famous for the Rock of Gibraltar. Although Gibraltar is an independent country which can handle its own affairs but, important matters of defence and foreign affairs are handled by the Government of UK. Since this country cannot engage in any production of products as such, its economy basically runs on tourism, financial services, internet gaming as well as shipping.

Source: http://top-10-list.org/

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