growth

The history of the modern world, told with moving dots

If you are interested in the health of the world economy, it helps to know a bit about its history. But conceptualizing the global economy over long periods of time can be daunting. Until now.

Check out the above video, in which Hans Rosling plots the "wealth and health of nations" over the last 200 years. Then see his interactive website, gapminder.org, which lets you dig into his data yourself.

Poverty Amid Progress in Peru

Topics: Governance, Economic Development
Countries: Peru

Peru has one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America. Over the past six years, the country’s GDP has grown more than 6 percent annually. This is largely due to high market prices for mineral exports, increases in private investment and liberal economic policies that have been put into place by President Alan Garcia and his predecessor Alejandro Toledo.

Yet Peru’s economic growth is having a limited impact on poverty rates. While the capital, Lima, and the northern and coastal regions are flourishing, over 70 percent of the Andean region still lives in poverty. A major factor in this persistent poverty is the fact that many Peruvians continue to work in the informal sector of the economy, writes the Economist:

These unwaged people are often more or less cut off from the market economy. And it is market connections that make economic growth “trickle down” to the poor, points out Richard Webb, a social researcher and former central-bank governor. Enabling that to happen is thus a job for public policy. Better roads, education and social policy are all needed.

President Garcia has worked to increase social spending on anti-poverty programs, and staunchly advocates market-based solutions to Peru’s poverty problem. However, Garcia’s ability to combat poverty continues to be hampered by his unpopularity (his latest approval rating is only 26 percent), his lack of a legislative majority, and fears of corruption in lower levels of government. Unless Garcia can find a way to make Peru's growth work for more Peruvians, his liberal economic policies may lose support from those who aren't seeing the benefits of market capitalism.

From the Archives

The Malaysian Miracle

Previously filed under: Asia, Global Economy
Economic growth in Malaysia shows that a strategy of bringing the bottom up can lead to success.

From the Archives

Mystery of the Vanishing Bees

Previously filed under: North America, Environment
Bee populations are declining, which could cause the near extinction of the many fruits, vegetables and flowers that are dependent on bees.

From the Archives

Creative Industries Serve as Growth Engine

Previously filed under: Africa, Global Economy
As creative industries expand they create both challenges and opportunities for developing countries.

From the Archives

In Tanzania High Growth is Still to Benefit the Poor

Previously filed under: Africa, General Globalization
While still facing an array of challenges, the Tanzanian government has made several strides towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

From the Archives

Latin America's Next Growth Challenge

Previously filed under: South America, Global Economy
Latin American economies have experienced four consecutive years of positive economic growth; will the trend continue?

From the Archives

How Chile Successfully Transformed Its Economy

Previously filed under: South America, Global Economy
The former Chilean Minister of Finance speaks about Chile's exceptional economic performance in the last two decades.

From the Archives

Wall-to-Wall Walmart?

Previously filed under: Opinions and Editorials
Walmart is often examined as the quintessential example of globalization, but is this a fair analysis?

From the Archives

Growth, Globalization, and the Environment

Previously filed under: Environment
Growth and environmental protection do not have to be mutually exclusive.

Stories We're Watching

As Africa's consumers rise, so does inequality

Yale Global Online - Fri, 02/03/2012 - 10:17
Kenya struggles to spread the wealth from rapid growth.

U.N. says famine in Somalia over, but risks remain

New York Times - Fri, 02/03/2012 - 22:56
A bumper harvest and a surge in emergency food aid have ended a famine in Somalia that killed tens of thousands of people, the United Nations said on Friday.

Looking forward, Fiji turns to its canoeing past

International Herald Tribune - Fri, 02/03/2012 - 23:27
The traditional canoe is at the center of several projects aimed at reducing Fiji’s energy consumption, providing islanders with cheaper transport, keeping local traditions alive, and giving a boost to tourism.

The 6 questions that lead to new innovations

Fast Company's Co.Exist - Fri, 02/03/2012 - 07:00
It is often said that innovation is at the core of sustainability, but turning that abstract idea into action isn’t always easy. How do true innovators actually make the leap from status quo to full-on disruption?

Brazil deepens strategic cooperation with Cuba

Inter Press Service - development - Mon, 02/06/2012 - 12:11
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff's visit to Cuba served to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, leverage the South American giant's investments in the Caribbean island, and deepen political ties.

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