The Quality of the Recent High-Growth Episode in Sub-Saharan Africa

 
Author/Editor: Martinez, Marcelo ; Mlachila, Montfort
 
Publication Date: February 26, 2013
 
Electronic Access: Free Full text (PDF file size is 1,469KB).
Use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this PDF file

 
Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF. The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate
 
Summary: The paper explores the quality of the recent high-growth episode in sub-Saharan Africa by examining the following two questions: (i) what has been the nature and pattern of SSA growth over the past 15 years and how does it compare with previous episodes? (ii) has this growth had an impact on socially desirable outcomes, for example, improvements in health, education and poverty indicators? To do this, the paper first examines various aspects of the fundamentals of growth in SSA—levels, volatility, sources, etc.—according to various country analytical groupings. Second, it explores the extent to which the growth has been accompanied by improvements in social indicators. The paper finds that the quality of growth in SSA over the past 15 years has unambiguously improved, although progress in social indicators has been uneven.
 
Series: Working Paper No. 13/53
Subject(s): Economic growth | Sub-Saharan Africa | Production | Productivity | Education | Health care | Poverty reduction | Social indicators

 
English
Publication Date: February 26, 2013
ISBN/ISSN: 9781475551426/2227-8885 Format: Paper
Stock No: WPIEA2013053 Pages: 36
Price:
US$18.00 (Academic Rate:
US$18.00 )
 
 
Please address any questions about this title to publications@imf.org