Question

Why do low-income countries like Brazil, Egypt, or Vietnam have lower environmental standards than high- income countries like the Germany, Japan, or the United States?

Short answer

To attract MNCs and create employment.

Step-by-step solution

Step1. Introduction

Low-income countries like Brazil, Egypt, Vietnam, etc are the ones where the development is very low and people on an average have low income. The economic development specifically is poor.

High-income countries like Germany, Japan, United States, etc are developed and economically strong where on an average, people earn handsome incomes.

Step2. Explanation

Low-income countries have to struggle and barely make their ends meet. In such scenario, they can't afford to impose environmental regulations. Keeping the environmental standards low also attract MNCs to setup their production units in such countries and hence generate employment and bring about economic growth and advancements.