FAITH TRISHA T.

CERCADO BABA 3A ECON501_D

CASE STUDY: PAKISTAN AND BANGLADESH COMPARATIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Measures of Development Pakistan Bangladesh
Growth • Per capita income grew at about 2.2% • Per capita GDP growth was
• Per capita income per year in the half-century from 1950 about 4.7%, substantially
• GDP growth to 2000 outpacing Pakistan in this period
• From 2000 to 2011, GDP growth • GDP growth averaged 6% from
averaged 4.9% (World Bank); with 2000 to 2011 (World Bank); with
population growth of 1.8%, per capita 1.3% population growth.
GDP growth was about 3.1%
Poverty • 23% of the population lives below the • 51% of the population lives
• % of population below $1.25 per-day poverty line below the $1.25 per-day poverty
poverty line • Slightly less poor, ranking No. 70 with line
• UNDP’s multidimensional a score of 0.275 • Ranked No. 73 with a score of
poverty index 0.291
Education and Literacy • The female literacy rate was just 40% • 53% literacy for all women over
• Literacy rate (the male rate was 69%) for those 15 age 15 (the male rate was 62%)
• Enrollment rate and older • 52% enrollment in secondary
• Female-to-male primary • 35% enrollment in secondary school school
and secondary enrollment • Female-to-male primary and • Female-to-male primary and
ratio secondary enrollment ratio of 0.83 to secondary enrollment ratio of
1 1.07 to 1
Health • Life expectancy is at 65 years • Life expectancy is at 69 years
• Life expectancy • Child malnutrition remains lower in • Prevalence of child malnutrition
• Child malnutrition Pakistan, at about 38% has fallen from two-thirds to less
• Under-5 mortality rate • The under-5 mortality rate in Pakistan than half
is 72 per 1,000 • The under-5 mortality rate is 46
per 1,000
Population • Fertility has fallen to 3.3 • Fertility fell to 2.2
• Fertility status
Geography • 275 people per sq. km • Densely populated at 1,174
• People per square km • The official language is Urdu, but it is people per sq. km
• Ethnic % of population spoken as a first language by only 7% • Quite homogeneous; as much as
of the population (the largest 98% of the population is
language group is Punjabi, at 48%) considered ethnic Bangla
(Bengali)
Gender Equity • Received a gender equity index • Received a gender equity index
• Gender equity index ranking of 0.29 ranking of 0.55
rating • Only 60% as many women as men • Female-to-male literacy rate at
• Female-to male literacy were literate 83%
rate • 1.05 male-to-female ratio • 1.05 male-to-female ratio
• Male-to-female ratio
Aid • The country was a major Cold War ally • Benefitted considerably from aid
• Application and of the United States, but the poor • Effective use of aid particularly
effectiveness of aid seemed to derive little benefit from the active involvement of
that association effective NGOs in Bangladesh
Governance and Role of • Military played a prominent role in • Very active in Bangladeshi
Military Pakistan, and from 1999 to 2008, the politics for nearly two decades
• Military involvement nation was governed by a military after 1971
• Corruption Index ruler, General Pervez Musharraf
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Long-standing rivalry and - Military’s relative
territorial dispute have withdrawal from politics
diverted resources as well as and government after
government attention from 1990 probably has been
social priorities while a factor in the country’s
reinforcing the influence of subsequent progress
the military. • Transparency International gave
• Transparency International gave a a poor score (out of a possible
poor score (out of a possible 100) with 100) with 26 for Bangladesh
27 for Pakistan
Civil Society • Difference is dramatic as compared to • Has one of the most vibrant NGO
• “Nongovernmental, Bangladesh; not having the same sectors in the world, the most
nonprofit, or citizen catalyzing role highly developed in Asia
sector” Status

SUMMARY

After reading the case of comparative economic development between Pakistan and Bangladesh, it is apparent
how these two countries developed similarly yet still quite “differently”. Though these two countries have showed growth,
it was impressive how Bangladesh’s annual growth overall, topped Pakistan’s even though the latter was expected to
perform better after the separation of these two. There was development in Pakistan but less progress has been made
than in many other countries. In fact, in relation to Bangladesh, social development in Pakistan is not at par with that of
the former. This means that Pakistan though showing increasing numbers, its residents aren’t feeling the benefits that the
figures show this is because these impressive rise in performance of the economy was controlled only by a small number
of elites such as businessmen who have the biggest influence on GDP outputs – benefits resulting from this, tend not to
reach the middle to low income class citizens. Bangladesh on the other hand, might not be having the same range of
income, GDP outputs, etc. with Pakistan, the fact that they are more invested in health and education have bear fruits
that displayed authentic development for the country despite starting out poorly after gaining independence in 1971. It is
indeed an inspiring story and a proof how Bangladesh, a country that is less expected to progress, attained real
development.

Key Learning

One can’t have the best of both worlds, someone or something must be compromised and foregone to achieve
the best results. Although compromise is done in one area of development, it is imperative that countries think of and
implement ways in order to raise the living levels of the residents. Comparative Economic Development is a great tool in
assessing whether one country does better than the other one, and take insights from the results and applying it to
improve on economies and quality of lives of people. Based on the case, Bangladesh have hit all the right places which
explained its unexpected growth – places where Pakistan seemed to have given less attention. Prioritizing social
development have gained long-term benefits for Bangladesh meanwhile the lack thereof for Pakistan may have given
them short-term benefits but took a toll on its long-term development goals.