Botswana: An Example of Prudent Economic Policy and Growth
Botswana is one of a small group of countries in the contemporary era, virtually the only African country that has sustained rapid economic growth over an extended period. Over the past three decades, Botswana's real per capita income grew by...
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| Format: | Brief |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Washington, DC
2012
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| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2000/06/12356321/botswana-example-prudent-economic-policy-growth http://hdl.handle.net/10986/9840 |
| Summary: | Botswana is one of a small group of
countries in the contemporary era, virtually the only
African country that has sustained rapid economic growth
over an extended period. Over the past three decades,
Botswana's real per capita income grew by more than 7
percent per annum, which is comparable to rates of growth
achieved by countries like Korea and Thailand. Remarkably,
this growth, facilitated by mineral wealth, led neither to
isolated enclaves nor to profligate spending. Growth
continued to be high as a result of structural change within
the economy as the growth in the of mining and government
sectors slackened. Botswana's record in human
development is equally impressive, with one important
exception, HIV infection. Major emphasis has been placed on
providing basic education and primary health care throughout
the country. Primary school enrolment has gone from 66,100
in 1966 to 319,000 in 1995, representing an average
compounded growth rate of 5.4 percent per annum. Further, in
recent decades, the gender balance has consistently involved
greater than 50 percent female enrollment. Meanwhile,
secondary school and university enrolment, from a much lower
base, both grew at double digit growth rates. |
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