- From 1950 to 1998 percent share of global GDP for developed countries (12% of world population) has fallen from 57% to 45.6%.
- The world’s 49 poorest countries together accounted for 0.4 per cent of world trade in 1999 – half of the level twenty years previously (0.8 per cent in 1980). The proportion of the world's population living in countries where per-capita food supplies are less than 2,200 calories per day decreased from 56% in the mid-1960s to below 10% by the 1990s.
- The ratio between US and Chinese GDP per capita levels dropped from 12.5 in 1980 ($18,300 vs. $1,460) to 6.2 in 1995 ($23,000 vs. $3,700).
- Over the next 50 years, Brazil, Russia, India and China — the BRICs economies— could become a much larger force in the world economy. If things go as forecast, in less than 40 years, the BRICs economies together could be larger than the G6 (United States, Japan, France, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy) in US dollar terms.

Social & Cultural Change
Globalization leads to increased contact between citizens of different nations and cultures. Main facilitators of this contact are literacy and common language (frequently English).

- About 90% of all Internet traffic is using English.
- Between 1950 and 1999, global literacy increased from 52% to 81% of the world.
- Worldwide, there is an estimated 191 million immigrants, of which 115 million live in developed countries. The last 50 years has seen an almost doubling of immigration; 20% live in the US alone, making up 13% of its population; 33% of all immigrants live in Europe;
- In 2007, 831 million passengers flew internationally and 1,249 million flew within their own country of residence. This represents an 11% growth in international traffic and an 8% growth in domestic traffic relative to 2006.

- The latest statistics show that worldwide Internet penetration has increased to 21.9% of the total population of the world, ranging from 68% in North America to 2.6% in Africa. Global internet usage is three times what it was five years ago.
- The first commercial mobile phone service was launched in Japan by NTT in 1978. By November 2007, the total number of mobile phone subscriptions in the world had reached 3.3 billion, or half of the human population, which also makes the mobile phone the most widely spread technology and the most common electronic device in the world.
- Industrialized countries hold 97% of all patents, and global corporations hold 90% of all technology and product patents.

- The global spread of democracy since the 1970s, especially after the collapse of communism, has been impressive. According to Freedom House, an American organisation that tracks global trends in political freedom, at the end of 2005 there were 122 “electoral democracies” (64% of the world’s states, compared with 40% in the mid-1980s). From there being almost no nations with universal suffrage in 1900 to 62.5% of all nations having it in 2000.
- Ever since the end of the Cold War, the number of wars has been declining. Perhaps, more importantly, the number of wars between countries has declined even more. There have only been five since 1991; Ethiopia versus Eritrea (1998-2000), India versus Pakistan (low level, in Kashmir, since 1990), Iraq versus Kuwait (1991), Iraq versus US (2003) and Georgia versus Russia (2008). There are 15-20 wars going on right now. The uncertain count comes from the fact that there is a fuzzy line separating wars from civil disorder. The good news is that there are about 40 percent fewer conflicts than were going on in 1991, when the Cold War ended.

Globalization is, obviously, a global issue, and as such goes above and beyond the laws or regulations of any country. Indeed, it is unlikely that any country by itself could stop or even significantly slow down the process of globalization. Framework for globalization is mostly set through supranational institutions, particularly the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The second major enabler of globalization is various free trade blocks, like the European Union, ASEAN and NAFTA.

The WTO is an international organization designed to supervise and liberalize international trade, i.e. abolish customs tariffs. The WTO has 153 members, which represents more than 95% of total world trade.

The IMF describes itself as "an organization of 185 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty." The primary mission of the IMF is to provide financial assistance to countries that experience serious financial and economic difficulties using funds deposited with the IMF from the institution's member countries.

The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in Europe. It was established by the Treaty of Maastricht in 1993 upon the foundations of the pre-existing European Economic Community. With almost 500 million citizens, the EU combined generates an estimated 30% share of the world's nominal gross domestic product (US$16.8 trillion in 2007). The EU has developed a single market through a standardised system of laws which apply in all member states, guaranteeing the freedom of movement of people, goods, services and capital, including the abolition of passport control between many member states. Fifteen member states have adopted a common currency, the euro.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a geo-political and economic organization of 10 countries located in Southeast Asia. Its aims include the acceleration of economic growth, social progress, cultural development among its members, the protection of the peace and stability of the region, and to provide opportunities for member countries to discuss differences peacefully. As of 2006, the ASEAN region has a population of about 560 million, a total area of 4.5 million square kilometers, a combined gross domestic product of almost US$1,100 billion, and a total trade of about US$ 1,400 billion. Its goal is to create a stable, prosperous and highly competitive ASEAN economic region in which there is a free flow of goods, services, investment and a freer flow of capital, equitable economic development and reduced poverty and socio-economic disparities in year 2020.

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is a trilateral trade bloc in North America created by the governments of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The agreements were signed in December 1992 by the leaders of the three countries — Brian Mulroney of Canada, Carlos Salinas de Gortari of Mexico, and Bill Clinton of the United States but did not come into effect until January 1, 1994.

Corporations - interested in globalization as its proper utilisation will lead to growth and increased profit. On the costs side, it enables them to shop for best government conditions to set up their operations and seek the areas with lower labour costs. On the profit side, it opens up the world's market and makes it easier and cheaper to compete in them. In general favourable view towards globalization, with one important exception:

Monopolies - companies that have a naturally or legally protected market will be naturally concerned with pressures of globalisation, which might require them to be managed more effectively, raise quality of their services and lower their profits. Sensitive industries (weapons, energy) often have preferred government treatment which significantly protects them from outside influence.

Working population in developed countries - generally against globalizations as it often means that jobs move abroad while at the same time foreign workers are allowed to work within their country.

Working population in developing countries - generally in favor of globalization since it increases their job chances, however marginally. However, some of them have concerns about being exploited.

Politicians - interdependency of the global system makes it harder for politicians to engage in unilateral measures, but it also affords them a convenient way in which to direct blame for domestic problems. In general, globalization is neutral for politicians and can be framed as both a positive and a negative dynamic depending on political needs and realities.

Professional class - consultants, bankers, architects and other professional employees generally welcome globalization as a vehicle to explore the world and chase for best projects and lifestyles.

Global citizens - people from diverse families who have lived in many countries and hence approach the world as a single country generally welcome globalization.