Long-term growth convergence has extensively been investigated based on economic variables. Indicators of social development and health status are generally focused on their contribution to growth or on assessing national health care systems. Yet, as a general yardstick of well-being, life...

Mineral commodity prices and, to a lesser extent, supply have typically experienced substantial fluctuations as well as sudden, largely unanticipated, breaks. Instability has severe consequences in term of returns on mining investment and the balance of payments of the countries concerned....