World Development Indicators
Step 1
Classification of all the 189 World Bank member countries and other economies in the World Development Indicators database is necessary for the aggregation, grouping, and comparison of statistical information of interest and presenting vital statistics (World Bank, n.d.). Accordingly, for the ongoing 2021 fiscal year, the World Bank defines low-income economies as those with a Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of $1,035 or less in 2019; lower-middle-income economies as those with a GNI per capita between $1,036 and $4,045; and upper-middle-income countries as those with a GNI per capita between $4,046, and $12,535 (World Bank helpdesk, n.d.). The two low-income economies identified are Malawi, with an income level of $380, and Ethiopia, with an income level of $800. In contrast, the middle-income ones are Sri Lanka and Pakistan, with income levels of $4,020 and $1530, respectively (World Bank data, n.d.).
Step 2
The life expectancy at birth in Ethiopia was 47 years in 1990, 52 years in 2000, and 66 years in 2018 (cite). In Malawi, it was 46 years in 1990, 45 years in 2000, and 64 years in 2018 (cite). Alternatively, in Sri Lanka, it was 70 years in 1990, 71 years in 2000, and 77 years in 2018. In Pakistan, it was 60 years in 1990, 63 years in 2000, and 67 years in 2018 (cite).
In Ethiopia, the percentage of people living in poverty was 44.2% in 2000 and 23.5% in 2018. In Malawi, it was 65.3% in 2000, and 51.5% in 2018 (cite). However, in Sri Lanka, it was 22.7% in 2000 and 4.1% in 2018, whereas in Pakistan, it was 64.3% in 2000 and 24.3 in 2018 (cite).
The Ethiopian per capita GDP was $254.243 in 1990, $124.461 in 2000, and $771.524 in 2018 (World Bank data, n.d.). The Malawian per capita GDP was $199.986 in 1990, $156.386 in 2000, and $381.259 in 2018 (World Bank data, n.d.). In Sri Lanka, it was $463.619 in 1990, $869.697 in 2000, and $4,080.567 in 2018, whereas in Pakistan, it was $371.679 in 1990, $576.196 in 2000, and $1,482.306 in 2018 (World Bank data, n.d.).
The GDP growth rate in Ethiopia was 2.7% in 1990, 6.1% in 2000, and 6.8% in 2018 (cite). In Malawi, it was 5.7% in 1990, 1.6% in 2000, and 3.2% in 2018 (cite). The Sri Lankan value was 6.4% in 1990, 6.0% in 2000, and 3.3% in 2018, whereas that in Pakistan was 4.5% in 1990, 4.3% in 2000, and 5.8% in 2018 (cite).
Step 3
Based on the data gathered, all the countries have performed well over the years. For instance, Ethiopia’s and Malawi’s life expectancies increased by 19 years and 15 years, respectively, implying improvements in the general population health. In both Sri Lanka and Pakistan, the gains were seven years. The countries’ economic strength has also improved, given the increases in GDP per capita across all of them. However, Malawi and Sri Lanka registered drops of 2.5% and 3.1%, respectively, in their GDP growth rates, suggesting reduced economic growth. The numbers of poor people in these economies have also dropped, implying growing economic opportunities.
Additionally, the countries have made notable progress in adopting modern technologies and improving trade networks over the past three decades. For instance, in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, internet use grew from 0% in 1990 to 17.1% and 34.1 %, respectively, in 2018 (cite). Similarly, in Ethiopia and Malawi, this utilization increased from 0% in 1990 to 18.6% and 13.8%. Increased internet utility implies readiness to conform to dynamic modern markets. Regarding the growth of trade networks and global links, foreign direct investment (FDI) increased across all economies:
In Pakistan, it grew to $1,737 million from $245 million in 1990; In Sri Lanka, it rose from $43 million to $1,614 million; in Ethiopia, it grew from nothing to $3,360 million; and in Malawi, it increased from $23 million to $101 million (cite). Overall, these statistics indicate the significant economic progress these countries have made since the advent of the 21st century.