A Comparison of Economic Growth and Development: Pakistan and Similar Countries

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A Comparison of Economic Growth and Development: Pakistan and Similar Countries

Introduction

Pakistan has all the major ingredients necessary to become a developed nation; it has a geo-strategic location, a generous availability of natural resources and a large population in the working age. Despite having the potential to turn itself into a developed country, Pakistan has not been able to fulfill its potential.

Israel, South Korea and Malaysia are countries in roughly the same region as Pakistan. All of these countries came into being around the same time as Pakistan. All three of these countries have a higher GDP (Gross Domestic Product) than Pakistan and all three of them are ranked higher in the HDI (Human Development Index) as well. South Korea has been ranked 12th, Israel has been ranked 16th, and both reside in the very high human development category. Malaysia also resides in the high human development category whereas Pakistan is listed in the low human development category.

The rationale behind selecting these three countries as the subject of this comparative analysis with Pakistan is that, they all achieved independence in the same decade, were at a similar stage of economic development and had similar levels of GDP per capita initially. By researching and investigating the social indicators, the reforms and the policies of these four countries, over the preceding 60 years, this paper will help to identify the factors that may help explain the subsequent divergence in the rate of development of these countries.

The objective of this paper is to make an economic development and economic growth comparison of these four countries. The comparison will be multi-faceted. It will compare monetary perform...

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... of increase was at a greater level and the population increased to 27 million. Korea showed an increase in its population as well, from 22 million in 1960 the population increased to 40 million in 1985 but from here the rate of growth slowed down but picked up pace again from 1995 onwards, in 2010 Korea had a population of 50 million approximately. From 1960 till 1980, the population of Pakistan increased significantly from 45 million to 85 million. Between the years 1986 and 2010 there was an extremely sharp increase in the rate of growth increasing the population from 85 million to an outstanding 180 million. Pakistan is the only country among the rest three which experienced such a large increase in its population.

South Korea’s Economic Growth and Development

Conclusion/Policy Recommendations

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