Section 1
Financial Measures
Gross domestic product (GDP) per capita is all economic activity in a country, no matter who owns the assets, divided by the population. The GDP per capita in Sierra Leone is 373.98 (current US$). This is lower than the GDP at the purchasing power parity (PPP), so people in Sierra Leone have a greater purchasing power because goods and services are cheaper in their country. When compared to a developed country, such as the United States with a GDP per capita of 48,112 (Current US$) (World Bank), it can be seen that Sierra Leone has an extremely low amount of economic activity in their country. In order to improve the well-being of people and thus, economic development, it is necessary to increase GDP, which consequentially increases economic development or the total output produced in the country. More economic activity is a signal of people being better off because they are more productive.
Gross national income (GNI) per capita, or the measure of the total income earned by a country's factors of production, regardless or where they are located, in Sierra Leone is 340 (current US$) (World Bank). GDP is higher than GNI in Sierra Leone, as characteristic of a developing nation, because of foreign investment in the economy. In some ways this is not good because the money made by these foreign companies is going back to their countries instead of staying in Sierra Leone. More developed nations are able to send money through FDI, and have significant earnings from assets abroad. Sierra Leone does not have the resources to do this.
Gross national income (GNI) per capita, or the measure of the total income earned by a country's factors of production, regardless or where they are located, in Sierra Leone is 340 (current US$) (World Bank). GDP is higher than GNI in Sierra Leone, as characteristic of a developing nation, because of foreign investment in the economy. In some ways this is not good because the money made by these foreign companies is going back to their countries instead of staying in Sierra Leone. More developed nations are able to send money through FDI, and have significant earnings from assets abroad. Sierra Leone does not have the resources to do this.
Health Measures
A person born in Sierra Leone can expect to live an average of 48 years--a very young age (World Bank). Good health services, which are lacking in Sierra Leone, such as the provision of clean water supplies and sanitation, nationwide education, reasonable supplies of food, low levels of poverty, and a lack of conflict contribute to a longer life expectancy at birth. These are signs of a good economy because the government is able to provide for its citizens. Developing nations tend to have a lower life expectancy because the government is focusing its resources on other projects. In order for Sierra Leone to increase economic development, the people must have "more freedom" to obtain these valuable resources. When people are healthier and live longer, their productivity increases, eventually increasing the overall output and fostering economic growth.
The infant mortality rate in Sierra Leone is 119 per 1,000 live births. This figure is affected by the level of health care and health services, etc. An economy will be in a better state if people are able to have the health care they need in order to survive. With a greater survival rate at birth, more children will live to reap the benefits of education, increasing productivity. Developed nations are able to have low infant mortality rates because of the medical advances they have made. Sierra Leone does not have access to this technology because it is expensive. In order to try to develop technology that rivals the developed world Sierra Leone will have to find a way to increase access to education so that the younger generations can have the tools necessary to develop better health services, a feat that is hardly feasible at this time.
The infant mortality rate in Sierra Leone is 119 per 1,000 live births. This figure is affected by the level of health care and health services, etc. An economy will be in a better state if people are able to have the health care they need in order to survive. With a greater survival rate at birth, more children will live to reap the benefits of education, increasing productivity. Developed nations are able to have low infant mortality rates because of the medical advances they have made. Sierra Leone does not have access to this technology because it is expensive. In order to try to develop technology that rivals the developed world Sierra Leone will have to find a way to increase access to education so that the younger generations can have the tools necessary to develop better health services, a feat that is hardly feasible at this time.
Educational Measures
Sierra Leone's adult literacy rate is 42% of people ages 15 and above. Developing nations tend to have lower adult literacy rates because the amount of educational opportunities available for people is related to the wealth of a country. So, a poorer country will be able to invest less into infrastructure to give their citizens an education that will improve the quality of their lives (economic development) and their productivity.
There is no information on net enrollment ratio in primary education. Because Sierra Leone is a developing nation, we can assume the enrollment ratio is relatively low due to lack of investment in infrastructure. If children are able to go to school, it is a sign of wealth because they do not have to stay home and work. Parents are able to focus on their own jobs and provide for the family, they are not out sick because of poor healthcare or have other dilemmas that would render them inadequate for work and force the children to join the workforce. This net enrollment ratio in primary education is extremely important because it showcases what might come from the country in the future. If a great deal of children are allowed to go to school they are given the resources to develop technology that can propel economic development in the future and increase the overall development of the country.
There is no information on net enrollment ratio in primary education. Because Sierra Leone is a developing nation, we can assume the enrollment ratio is relatively low due to lack of investment in infrastructure. If children are able to go to school, it is a sign of wealth because they do not have to stay home and work. Parents are able to focus on their own jobs and provide for the family, they are not out sick because of poor healthcare or have other dilemmas that would render them inadequate for work and force the children to join the workforce. This net enrollment ratio in primary education is extremely important because it showcases what might come from the country in the future. If a great deal of children are allowed to go to school they are given the resources to develop technology that can propel economic development in the future and increase the overall development of the country.
Composite Indicators
Sierra Leone’s human development index (HDI) value for 2011 is 0.336—in the low human development category—positioning the country at 180 out of 187 countries and territories (Human). Developing nations have lower HDI values of the poor health care, inadequate education, and their low standard of living.
Other Indicators of Development
The gender-related development index takes into account the inequalities between men and women. Sierra Leone ranks dead last on the gender-related development index. The GDI value is 0.320. Women live about three years longer then men, but the literacy rate of women is half that of men. Also, 14% more males are enrolled in school (Gender). Women lagging behind men is a sure sign of a developing nation. Developing nations do not value women as highly as men, as a result, the overall well being of the population decreases. You see, when women are educated like men, they are able to share this information with their children. Also, women learn about how to keep their bodies and their children healthy. Because women are the primary caregivers, this translated to higher productivity and more economic development.
Similar to the GDI, the gender empowerment measure (GEM) measures the extent to which women are able to actively participate in economic and political life. With the other factors in mind, Sierra Leone has a relatively high GEM value (0.662). Because Sierra Leone has a higher GEM value (not incredibly low), it shows that women have access to basic needs, education, and health. In fact, 65.4% of females participate in the work force and 67.5 participate in the work force. In order for a country to become developed, women need to participate in the work force. With the ability to work, women will have an increase in self-esteem, creating opportunities for them and increasing their freedoms--economic development. While
The human poverty index (HPI) looks at the proportion of people who are deprived of the opportunity to reach a basic level in each area of development. In Sierra Leone, it is 47.7% (Poverty). This value is considerably higher than developed countries, and many developing countries. This indicated a greater level of deprivation and thus a higher level of poverty. The benefits of development in Sierra Leone are not being shared equally among the rich and poor.
Similar to the GDI, the gender empowerment measure (GEM) measures the extent to which women are able to actively participate in economic and political life. With the other factors in mind, Sierra Leone has a relatively high GEM value (0.662). Because Sierra Leone has a higher GEM value (not incredibly low), it shows that women have access to basic needs, education, and health. In fact, 65.4% of females participate in the work force and 67.5 participate in the work force. In order for a country to become developed, women need to participate in the work force. With the ability to work, women will have an increase in self-esteem, creating opportunities for them and increasing their freedoms--economic development. While
The human poverty index (HPI) looks at the proportion of people who are deprived of the opportunity to reach a basic level in each area of development. In Sierra Leone, it is 47.7% (Poverty). This value is considerably higher than developed countries, and many developing countries. This indicated a greater level of deprivation and thus a higher level of poverty. The benefits of development in Sierra Leone are not being shared equally among the rich and poor.
Section 2
1. Low Standards of Living, characterized by low incomes, inequality, poor health, and inadequate education
This article shows the inequality between men and women and the treatment of women in society--they face large amounts of domestic abuse. As stated earlier, women are the main caregivers in the family. If they are not treated equally and are denied the same opportunities as men (educationally and in the work force), then children are being denied the same right to education. When women are educated about health, they are able to make better decisions to better their family. In more developed countries, women have opportunities to go to school and move up in the social and economic later. Women are an essential part of society, and without man's acceptance of this, a country will be unable to develop.
2. High and Rising Levels of Unemployment and Underemployment
This is a statistic that does not characterize Sierra Leone as a developing nation. Developing nations typically have an unemployment rate between 10 and 20 percent of the labor force. As of 2005, Sierra Leone was no where near this value. Sierra Leone may not fall under this characteristic because of the large resource endowment to which the country has been blessed. There are many people who work in the diamond mines or in a business closely associated with diamonds. There are employees who do the mining; the mine managers, owners, and shareholders; sellers; polishers; shippers; etc. At the same time, many of these jobs are low-skilled, contributing to underemployment. Although I could not find a statistic, many of these workers must be over-qualified for mining diamonds. So, the real unemployment rate is much higher than it initially appears. Additionally, Sierra Leone has a history of corrupt government officials which could prevent the accurate data from surfacing and as a result what first seemed to be a characteristic of a developed nation might not actually be the case (Unemployment).
3. Dominance, Dependence, and Vulnerability in International Relations
This table shows Sierra Leone characterized by high levels of aid dependency. Aid dependency increases vulnerability of the economy through fluctuations in aid volumes and aid delivery. Sierra Leone needs access to these foreign markets because they provide trade, access to technology, aid and investment. The civil war in Sierra Leone put the country in a terrible economic state. As a result, the nation became dominated by developed countries. In some ways, dominance by developed nations on Sierra Leone hurts the country by making it vulnerable. The developing nation has little say in what happens through these affairs. If Sierra Leone angers foreign nations, they will lose the aid their country has come to rely on. Also, decisions of developed nations, such as subsidizing domestic producers, leave developing nations with even less control. Now, goods in developed nations are relatively less expensive, so developing nations will lose the consumers they need to support their economy. Below is the link to the aid policy of the government of Sierra Leone. Dependence on international relations makes Sierra Leone a developing nation.
Diversity among Developing Countries
1. Resource Endowment
Most people assume developing countries do not have a lot of natural resources to export for profit. In fact, Sierra Leone is rich in natural resources. It is not a matter of having the resources, but a matter of using them in a way to benefit economic development and growth. When Siaka Stevens became president under the All People's Congress, he turned the government into a one-party state. He undermined the state apparatus and linked the government to illicit diamond mining against the elite interests (Grant 115). Stevens dismantles all formal diamond arrangements. he did not want foreign ownership of the principal diamond resource or corporate control over the industry (Smillie 99). Stevens exploited the illicit trade for his personal benefit as well as for the benefit of the select few who sustained his patronage networks (Grant 116). Because the resources are not spreading throughout the country, but staying within the upper class, there is much income inequality. The rich are getting rich while the poor are getting poorer. As GDP raises (because of the new diamond sales) price is also increasing. As the poor get poorer they are able to afford less, doing the opposite of economic development. Now, the poor cannot pay for necessities and must spend time working instead of going to school to get educated to become more productive and to live better lives.
Most people assume developing countries do not have a lot of natural resources to export for profit. In fact, Sierra Leone is rich in natural resources. It is not a matter of having the resources, but a matter of using them in a way to benefit economic development and growth. When Siaka Stevens became president under the All People's Congress, he turned the government into a one-party state. He undermined the state apparatus and linked the government to illicit diamond mining against the elite interests (Grant 115). Stevens dismantles all formal diamond arrangements. he did not want foreign ownership of the principal diamond resource or corporate control over the industry (Smillie 99). Stevens exploited the illicit trade for his personal benefit as well as for the benefit of the select few who sustained his patronage networks (Grant 116). Because the resources are not spreading throughout the country, but staying within the upper class, there is much income inequality. The rich are getting rich while the poor are getting poorer. As GDP raises (because of the new diamond sales) price is also increasing. As the poor get poorer they are able to afford less, doing the opposite of economic development. Now, the poor cannot pay for necessities and must spend time working instead of going to school to get educated to become more productive and to live better lives.
2. Geographic and Demographic Factors
The population of Sierra Leone is 5.997 million people (World Bank). Developing nations do not have to have huge populations. Like Sierra Leone, developing nations can have fewer people. Although not fitting into this assumption, Sierra Leone is still a developing nation because of the standard of living the population endures. As stated above, the inequality is high in Sierra Leone, as is the poverty rate. In addition, there are low amounts of health care and education for the children and training programs for adults. Because of these factors surrounding the population, Sierra Leone is still considered a developing nation. It is not the size of the population, but rather the life the population lives. Sierra Leone is also relatively small when compared to other developing nations, such as India. But, it is still a developing country because of the limited freedoms of the people and the the inefficient allocation of resources.
3. Per Capita Income Levels
Sierra Leone has one of the lowest per capita income levels in the world. At the purchasing power parity, Sierra Leone's GDP per capita is about 885 US$. Most developing countries have very low levels of income per capita. Because Sierra Leone's is exceptionally low, the people cannot afford to raise their standard of living. Although the government play a large role in this, the people need to be able to afford to go to school and pay for healthcare. Unfortunately, most families need their children to work in order to bring in any extra cash. This prevents children from attending school. Thus, they are not educated about health and their productivity decreases. Also, development is ceased because people do not have the access to health care and sanitation. Lastly, the government of Sierra Leone does not have the money to buy technology and improve infrastructure. These things can lead to economic development and growth.
The population of Sierra Leone is 5.997 million people (World Bank). Developing nations do not have to have huge populations. Like Sierra Leone, developing nations can have fewer people. Although not fitting into this assumption, Sierra Leone is still a developing nation because of the standard of living the population endures. As stated above, the inequality is high in Sierra Leone, as is the poverty rate. In addition, there are low amounts of health care and education for the children and training programs for adults. Because of these factors surrounding the population, Sierra Leone is still considered a developing nation. It is not the size of the population, but rather the life the population lives. Sierra Leone is also relatively small when compared to other developing nations, such as India. But, it is still a developing country because of the limited freedoms of the people and the the inefficient allocation of resources.
3. Per Capita Income Levels
Sierra Leone has one of the lowest per capita income levels in the world. At the purchasing power parity, Sierra Leone's GDP per capita is about 885 US$. Most developing countries have very low levels of income per capita. Because Sierra Leone's is exceptionally low, the people cannot afford to raise their standard of living. Although the government play a large role in this, the people need to be able to afford to go to school and pay for healthcare. Unfortunately, most families need their children to work in order to bring in any extra cash. This prevents children from attending school. Thus, they are not educated about health and their productivity decreases. Also, development is ceased because people do not have the access to health care and sanitation. Lastly, the government of Sierra Leone does not have the money to buy technology and improve infrastructure. These things can lead to economic development and growth.
Growth v. Development in Sierra Leone
GDP per capita at PPP in 2011 is about 885 US$ (174/180 countries). HDI value for 2011 is 0.336 (180/187 countries). Their economic growth has translated to economic development because HDI rank is only 6 rankings lower than GDP rank. This is not as bad as other developing nations, such as Angola, who has a difference in rankings of 44.
Sierra Leone GDP per Capita PPP
This graph shows the continuous increase in GDP per capita at PPP. This translates to economic growth. When growth is increasing, the government should theoretically have more money from tax revenues to spend on infrastructure to improve the lives of their citizens. GDP is increasing because of the end of the war. Now that the government is stable, the money is staying in Sierra Leone. Also, the more stable economy is attracting foreign investors to the resource-rich country. This will increase GDP, therefore increasing economic development.
Sierra Leone Life Expectancy at Birth
Because the life expectancy in Sierra Leone is steadily increasing, there is economic development in Sierra Leone. In order for the GDP to be translated into a higher life expectancy, some of the money must be used to invest in health care and education so people can make better decisions. It is important to note that the biggest increase began after 2002, when the war ended. Life expectancy is a component of HDI. When HDI is improving, in theory, economic development is also increasing.
Literacy Rate; Adult Total (% of people ages 15 and above)
The literacy rate is also increasing. This is a sign of development because the government is investing money into education. Also, people have more 'freedoms'. Now they are richer, so families can afford to send their children to school. This will benefit Sierra Leoneans later in life when they can use this knowledge to be more productive and work to get a more 'elite' job.
Although HDI points to economic growth, other indicators of development, such as GEM, GDI and HPI say that Sierra Leone is not developing, but just growing.