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


• Nepal– More heavily populated– Severe environmental degradation

– Major destination for adventure tourism


Source: @atomaraullo| Twitter account

Geographies of Economic DevelopmentSource: @atomaraullo| Twitter account


Source: @atomaraullo| Twitter account


– 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.


• 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


– 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


–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 night…


– 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


– 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


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