Structural basis of development in Africa (summer school for African University Students)

Abstract

African countries may be classified into two groups, economically, the more developed and the underdeveloped group. This classification may be based on the following indicators of growths Primary production in relation to Gross Domestic Product, Exports in relation to Gross Domestic Product and the level of per capita exports, Wage and salary earners as percentage of total population, and Subsistence production as percentage of Gross Domestic Product. Using these indices more developed countries, primary production as a ratio of Gross Domestic Product is between 32 and 47% compared with 62 and 69% in other African countries. Also while subsistence production as a percentage of the GDP varies between 35 and 50% in other African countries for the more developed countries the percentage is "between 10 and 30%. This higher ratio indicates a higher degree of monetisation. Another indication is the level of per capita exports which varies between $21 and $49 in more developed countries and between $3 and $12 in other African countries.