Saturday, March 26, 2011

The Case for Strong Social Policies & Human Development


Botswana has per capita income of $13,204 in 2008, while Costa Rica has a lower per capita income of $10,870. But Costa Rica has a life expectancy of 79 years and under five mortality rates of 11 yrs/1000 live births. By contrast Botswana, with its rapid economic development ranks low in human development indicators and has life expectancy of 55 years and child mortality of 31/1000 live births. How do u explain this disparity? Its not entirely on HIV and AIDS. Besides, HIV is an epidemic.

Economic development alone in terms of GDP growth or Per Capita income doesn't cut it, if there is no strong social policies to curtail inequality.

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