Since independence in 1976, per capita output in this Indian Ocean archipelago has expanded to roughly seven times the pre-independence, near-subsistence level, moving the island into the upper-middle income group of countries.

FORBES: Seychelles

True, the original customer base of Dollar General was the price-conscious low income group, but it has since expanded its appeal to the middle-class families with its more varied assortment of products readily available at its stores.

FORBES: Discount Retailer Attracts New Investors As It Evolves Into One-Stop Shopping Destination

It is worth noting that there is a group of countries that are both middle-income and fragile.

ECONOMIST: Free exchange