Global patterns of resource consumption are a central theme in IB Geography, particularly within the Global Resource Consumption and Security unit. Resource consumption refers to the use of materials, energy, water, and food to support human activity. These patterns vary significantly between countries and regions, largely due to differences in economic development, population size, and lifestyle.
One of the most important factors influencing resource consumption is level of development. High-income countries (HICs) consume a disproportionately large share of global resources despite having smaller populations. High levels of industrial activity, energy use, transport, and consumer lifestyles result in high per capita consumption of fossil fuels, water, and manufactured goods. This includes high meat consumption, private car ownership, and extensive use of electricity and technology.
In contrast, low-income countries (LICs) generally have much lower levels of resource consumption per capita. Many people rely on subsistence agriculture and use limited energy, often from traditional biomass such as wood or charcoal. Access to clean water, electricity, and modern infrastructure may be limited. Although LICs consume fewer resources overall, rapid population growth can still place pressure on local environments.
Middle-income countries (MICs) often show rapidly increasing resource consumption. Industrialisation, urbanisation, and rising incomes lead to higher demand for energy, water, and consumer goods. As lifestyles change, diets become more resource-intensive and car ownership increases. MICs are therefore a key focus in IB Geography, as they contribute increasingly to global resource demand and environmental pressure.
Global resource consumption patterns also reflect inequality. A small proportion of the world’s population consumes the majority of resources, while billions of people lack access to basic necessities such as clean water, sanitation, and reliable energy. This inequality raises ethical questions about sustainability, development, and global responsibility.
Another important pattern is the spatial mismatch between resource supply and consumption. Many resources are extracted in LICs and MICs but consumed primarily in HICs. This creates dependency relationships and can lead to environmental degradation in producer regions, including deforestation, pollution, and water depletion.
In IB Geography, students are expected to link consumption patterns to sustainability. High levels of consumption are often unsustainable, contributing to resource depletion and environmental damage. At the same time, low consumption in LICs highlights development challenges and unmet human needs.
Overall, global resource consumption varies widely due to differences in development, population, and lifestyle. Understanding these patterns helps explain global inequality and sets the foundation for evaluating resource security and stewardship.
RevisionDojo helps IB Geography students analyse global resource consumption clearly, linking patterns to development, inequality, and exam-style evaluation.
