Two Decades of Development, 1960–1980: A Cross-Country Assessment

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study assesses the progress made by 82 LDCs over the 1960–1980 period by means of 16 indicators. On average, life expectancy increased by seven years, the birth and death rates each fell by 4 per thousand, daily per capita supplies increased by 200 calories and the number of inhabitants per MD fell by 7,500. As a percentage of school age children, enrolment in primary education rose by 17% and the ratio of urban to total population rose by 8%. Labour productivity increases were larger in industry and services than in agriculture. At a geographical level, Asia and Central and South America posted larger overall gains than Africa.