Human Development In South Asia 2008

The Report presents an analysis of the diffusion and adoption of technology, particularly ICT in the region and its impact on overall economic growth, employment, poverty reduction, as well the provision of health and education services in the region. The report draws from several interesting case studies particularly from India and Bangladesh that illustrate how ICT is being used innovatively to improve the efficiency and transparency in the delivery of public services. The Report however reiterates that technology by itself does not result in wonders. It has to be accompanied with an educated and skilled population as well as basic infrastructure.

The Report presents an analysis of the diffusion and adoption of technology, particularly ICT in the region and its impact on overall economic growth, employment, poverty reduction, as well the provision of health and education services in the region. The report draws from several interesting case studies particularly from India and Bangladesh that illustrate how ICT is being used innovatively to improve the efficiency and transparency in the delivery of public services. The Report however reiterates that technology by itself does not result in wonders. It has to be accompanied with an educated and skilled population as well as basic infrastructure.

The 2007 report on Human Development in South Asia is the tenth report in the series of annual reports prepared by Mahbub ul Haq Human Development Centre. On this tenth anniversary, this report evaluates the actions that have followed the ten South Asia Human Development Reports produced and their impact on the people in the region. The report presents an in-depth and a comprehensive analysis of the achievements and challenges in human development of the region. In particular, the Report evaluates critically the performance in terms of economy and education for three major South Asian countries: India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Overall South Asian perspective is also given on all issues that were the themes of ten previous South Asia Human Development Reports including education, health, employment, agricultural development, poverty alleviation, women's empowerment, governance and human security. This is a crucial report as it encompasses all areas related to human development in South Asia and provides an objective assessment of the challenges that the region continues to confront and some historic achievements in each country that provide some sources of hope. The wealth of data collected for the Report, particularly on trends in economic and social indicators of South Asia over the past ten years, will be valuable for policymakers and academic researchers.

Human capital is an important factor for economic growth in South Asia. Between 1981 and 2010, human capital contributed about 22% of annual gross domestic product per worker growth in India. During the same period, it contributed around 21% in Bangladesh, and 16% in Sri Lanka. However, education and skills remain the binding constraint. Raising the quality of education and skills in South Asia's workforce can play a critical role in catching up to the level of development of the People's Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, and other successful Southeast Asian economies. This study reviews the development of human capital in South Asia and analyzes contributing factors to human development including policies and strategies that countries in South Asia follow.

Mahbub ul Haq Human Development Centre's 2006 Report on poverty in South Asia underlines the imperative of focusing on alleviating poverty in order to sustain the current economic growth in the region.