Economic Development of African and Asia-Pacific Areas in 1951-99

During the second half of the 20th century Asia as a whole experienced a much higher increase in production by inhabitant than Africa, due to several factors which caused improvements in industrial development and moderation in the rates of population growth. We present a comparison, at area level, of economic growth, education, fertility and production by sector in large areas of Africa and Asia and South-Pacific, analysing the main differences in economic development among these areas during the 20th century, with special reference to the period 1980-99.