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Social indicators have generally been improving over the last three decades, and
improve as incomes increase. Nevertheless, there are worrisome exceptions. Life expectancy
has actually declined in the first few years of the transition in the FSU countries,
albeit the decline appears to have been reversed in most countries; and it is declining in
the African countries hardest hit by the AIDS epidemics (for example Tanzania, Uganda,
Zambia, Zimbabwe). Sub-Saharan Africa also experienced declines in enrollment rates
between 1980 and 1996.
On current trends neither the infant mortality target (of a two-thirds decline by 2015)
nor the primary education target (of full enrollment by 2015) set for the International
Development Goals will be achieved.
It is important to note that, while the International Development Goals on health and
education refer to country-wide averages, health and educational outcomes vary
considerably by economic status. The mortality rates of the poor are systematically higher
than the average and enrollment rates systematically lower. So efforts to improve literacy
or reduce mortality may have to concentrate where they are most needed, namely among the
poor.
Next: Health: life expectancy, infant and maternal mortality,
malnutrition |
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