south asia economic and social development

South Asia

Economic Growth and Social DevelopmentReported by: Rico Paulo Pamplona

South Asia

• Along with Sub-Saharan Africa, as poorest world region.

• Great site of great wealth• Scientific and

technological accomplishments are world-class

• Highest illiteracy rates

South Asian Poverty• South Asians rank very low in terms of human well-

being. Poor nutrition is the major cause of this.• $2 a day

• South Asia should not be regarded as a zone of misery.– Growing number of middle class and very small number but

wealthy upper-class citizens.– Modern goods (televisions, motor scooters, washing machines)

• Some areas show economic progress, but others continue to be the same.

Geographies of Economic Development

• After independence, South Asia attempted to build new economic systems that would benefit their own people rather than foreign countries or corporations.

• 1990, governments in the region have gradually opened their economies to the global economic system.

–Himalayan Countries (Bhutan & Nepal)• Bhutan

– Disconnected– Small population– Pristine natural environment– Recently allowed tourists to enter

Geographies of Economic Development

• Nepal– More heavily populated– Severe environmental degradation

– Major destination for adventure tourism

Geographies of Economic Development

Source: @atomaraullo| Twitter account

Geographies of Economic DevelopmentSource: @atomaraullo| Twitter account

Geographies of Economic Development

Source: @atomaraullo| Twitter account

Geographies of Economic Development

– Bangladesh• Poorest South Asian country• Environmental degradation and colonialism• Jute

– Plant that yields tough fibers useful for making ropes and burlap bags.

• The country is internationally competitive in textile and clothing manufacture.

Geographies of Economic Development

• Grameen Bank– Has given hope to many poor women in Bangladesh– Allowed the emergence of a number of healthy small-scale enterprises

• By 2000, Bangladesh’s economy was finally beginning to grow

Geographies of Economic Development

– Pakistan• More productive economy than India• Large textile industry• Combats global terrorism

– Sri Lanka• Economy is one of the most highly

developed in South Asia• Exports: textiles, rubber, tea

Geographies of Economic Development

–Maldives• Most prosperous South Asian country based

on per capita economic output• Population is very small• Fishing and international tourism

Maldives during the day…

Maldives during the day…

Maldives during the night…

Maldives during the night…

Geographies of Economic Development

– India• Economic division between India’s more

prosperous southern and western areas and its poorer districts in the north and east

– India’s less developed areas» Bihar – least developed, most corrupt state» Utar Pradesh – most populous state,

extremely poor• Both have fertile soils, but have not

profited as much from the Green Revolution

Geographies of Economic Development

– India’s centers of economic growth» Punjab & Haryana – earned so much from the

Green Revolution» Gujarat & Maharashtra – noted for industrial

and financial power• Gujarat – Indian diaspora• Maharashtra – India’s economic

pacesetter» Bangalore – center of India’s fast-growing

high-technology sector• “Silicon Plateau”

– India is competitive in software

Geographies of Economic Development

India is suited for high-tech jobs both in computer assembly and manufacture and software development because of its extremely well-educated population

Globalization and India’s Economic Future

• Recent economic history– India’s economic policy was based on private ownership

combined with governmental control– Established high trade barriers to protect its economy

from global competition– Socialist-capitalist system– Allowed India to become nearly self-sufficient

– Frustration from limited progress– India’s government began to open up its economies to

globalization

– Foreign competitors are now seriously challenging some domestic firms

Social Development

• India, low levels of health and education• Pakistan, poor education for people

– Homelessness and malnutrition is not as prevalent compared in India

• Portions of India’s extreme northeast show relatively high literacy rates despite their poverty.

Social Development• The educated south

– Sri Lanka has high literacy rate as well as average longevity

– The government was able to control fertility rate– Universal primary education and inexpensive medical

clinics

– Kerala• Level of social development is the highest in India• Led by a socialist party

• Status of women• Discrimination• Literacy• Gender ratio Sex-selective abortion

• Women in Kerala

Social Development

• Education in Kerala– South Asia’s

most highly educated region

– Lowest fertility rate

– Contraception