This document outlines common characteristics of developing countries compared to developed countries. Some key characteristics include lower levels of living and productivity, lower levels of human capital, higher levels of inequality and poverty, higher population growth rates, larger rural populations undergoing rapid urbanization, lower levels of industrialization and manufactured exports, underdeveloped financial and other markets, and impacts from colonial legacies like poor institutions. The World Bank classifies countries based on income levels, with developing countries having lower GNI per capita on average. There is diversity within developing countries but also common challenges.