Hands connecting puzzle pieces forming city skylines, symbolizing ergonomics bridging the gap between developed and developing nations.

Bridging the Gap: How Ergonomics Can Transform Developing Nations

Reese Marlowe in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Unlocking the potential of industrially developing countries through better working conditions and global awareness."

For years, ergonomics has largely focused on industrialized advanced countries (IACs), but a shift is occurring. Greater international attention is now directed towards the unique challenges and innovative solutions emerging from industrially developing countries (IDCs). This growing awareness acknowledges the harsh realities faced by millions of workers laboring under difficult conditions.

While advances in ergonomics within IACs are commendable, they also highlight the stark contrast in IDCs, where ergonomic principles are often absent. There exists an inverse relationship: the greater the need for ergonomics, the less it is understood and applied. However, the time has come to reverse this trend, ensuring that developing regions receive the ergonomic support they urgently require.

The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon emphasizes "bridging the developed and developing countries." To build a sustainably productive world, ergonomics must play a vital role in this mission. By recognizing the diversity of cultures and challenges, the field can strive towards greater equality in resource access, improved living standards, and social upliftment for all.

Ergonomics: A Win-Win for Developing Economies

Hands connecting puzzle pieces forming city skylines, symbolizing ergonomics bridging the gap between developed and developing nations.

Despite technological advancements in some areas, the disparity between rich and poor continues to grow globally. Ergonomics offers a powerful tool to address this imbalance by improving working conditions, enhancing worker health and safety, boosting productivity, and expanding both local and international markets within IDCs.

Implementing ergonomic principles can lead to a positive cycle of improvement. Increased personal and corporate wealth translates to better individual salaries and an improved quality of life, extending beyond the individual worker to their families. Healthier, more engaged workers lead to greater company commitment and increased production, ultimately contributing to the country's overall economic growth.

Improved Working Conditions: Simple ergonomic adjustments can significantly reduce physical strain and discomfort.
Enhanced Health and Safety: Ergonomics minimizes workplace injuries and illnesses, leading to a healthier workforce.
Increased Productivity: Optimizing workspaces and tasks boosts efficiency and reduces errors.
Economic Growth: A more productive workforce drives economic expansion and improves living standards.

The special issue highlights research from experts who have lived and worked in developing countries, dedicated to improving conditions in their regions. Studies encompass both field and laboratory work, addressing working conditions and their impact on workers' lives.

Overcoming Challenges and Building a Sustainable Future

Implementing ergonomics in IDCs presents unique challenges that go beyond those typically encountered in affluent nations. Factors such as limited resources, infrastructure constraints, cultural norms, and the status of the workforce must be considered.

Successful integration requires sensitivity to local conditions and a collaborative approach, empowering local communities to "help others help themselves." Initiatives like the Work Security Index (WSI) can play a crucial role in evaluating government performance in protecting workers' health and establishing a 'good society' based on citizenship rights.

By extending human rights to include the billions of workers in IDCs, and committing to ergonomics, can we accelerate progress towards a more sustainable and equitable world for all.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1108/ebr-04-2017-0083, Alternate LINK

Title: Guest Editorial

Subject: Business, Management and Accounting (miscellaneous)

Journal: European Business Review

Publisher: Emerald

Authors: Ramanjeet Singh

Published: 2017-08-14

Everything You Need To Know

What specific challenges do workers in Industrially Developing Countries (IDCs) face due to the absence of ergonomics?

In Industrially Developing Countries (IDCs), workers often face harsh conditions and a lack of ergonomic considerations. This means they may experience more physical strain, injuries, and discomfort while working. The absence of ergonomics can lead to decreased productivity, poorer health outcomes, and a lower quality of life for workers in IDCs. Overcoming these issues means to understand the cultural norms, limited resources and infrastructure limitations, and status of the workforce of IDCs.

How does implementing ergonomics in Industrially Developing Countries (IDCs) contribute to economic growth and improved living standards?

Implementing ergonomics in Industrially Developing Countries (IDCs) leads to improved working conditions through simple adjustments that reduce physical strain. Worker health and safety are enhanced by minimizing workplace injuries and illnesses. Productivity increases as workspaces and tasks are optimized. This ultimately drives economic growth by expanding local and international markets of the IDCs.

Why is it important to shift the focus of ergonomics from Industrialized Advanced Countries (IACs) to Industrially Developing Countries (IDCs)?

Ergonomics focuses on Industrialized Advanced Countries (IACs), there's a growing need to address the imbalance and extend ergonomic principles to Industrially Developing Countries (IDCs). This involves greater international attention, resource allocation, and collaboration to bridge the gap and promote equality in working conditions. Bridging the developed and developing countries is highlighted by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

In what ways does ergonomics promote a positive cycle of improvement in Industrially Developing Countries (IDCs), benefiting both workers and companies?

Ergonomics plays a role in increasing personal and corporate wealth which leads to better salaries and improved quality of life, extending benefits to families. Healthier and more engaged workers exhibit greater company commitment and increased production, contributing to overall economic growth. Economic growth expands both local and international markets within Industrially Developing Countries (IDCs).

Beyond productivity and health, how does ergonomics contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world in Industrially Developing Countries (IDCs)?

To build a sustainably productive world, ergonomics must address the diversity of cultures and challenges in Industrially Developing Countries (IDCs). The field can strive towards greater equality in resource access, improved living standards, and social upliftment for all. By addressing the unique needs and constraints of developing nations, ergonomics can foster inclusive growth, reduce disparities, and empower communities to thrive.