Publication: Archipelagic Economies: Spatial Economic Development in the Pacific
Date
2021-07-12
ISSN
Published
2021-07-12
Author(s)
Utz, Robert J.
Abstract
This study explores the far-reaching
economic consequences emerging from the archipelagic nature
of most Pacific Island countries (PICs). The dispersion of
populations across thousands of miles of ocean and hundreds
of islands magnifies the economic disadvantages arising from
the remoteness and small size that characterize the PICs as
a whole. At the same time, population dispersion creates
extraordinary challenges related to public service delivery,
connectivity, migration and urbanization, and the equity and
inclusiveness of economic development. This study focuses on
these challenges in pursuit of two main objectives:
deepening the understanding of socio-economic conditions on
the PICs’ outer islands and the drivers of migration from
outer islands to main islands; and reviewing the policy and
investment options for fostering the socio-economic
development of outer islands populations. This overview
summarizes the main findings in five parts. First, the
authors present the objectives and outline of the full
report. This is followed by a section which explains how the
PICs’ external and internal geography are key determinants
of socio-economic development outcomes and spatial
inequalities. The third part presents data on spatial
inequality with respect to a range of socio-economic
indicators, public services, connectivity, and migration. In
the fourth part, the authors discuss interactions between
geographic dispersion and key political economy issues that
shape spatial economic policy decisions and outcomes. The
report concludes with a summary of policy options for
dealing with the development challenges arising from
geographic dispersion.
Citation
“Utz, Robert J.. 2021. Archipelagic Economies: Spatial Economic Development in the Pacific. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/35997 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”