Publication: Zambia Economic Brief: Recent Economic Developments and the State of Basic Human Opportunities for Children
Date
2012-11-23
ISSN
Published
2012-11-23
Author(s)
World Bank
Abstract
With this first Zambia economic brief,
the World Bank is launching a series of short economic
updates that will be produced twice a year. Each brief will
include two sections: the Bank's assessment of recent
economic developments and outlook in the short to medium
term; and its analysis on a specific development topic or
theme. The authors expect these briefs to support
evidence-based policy debate in the country, strengthen
public demand for good policies and outcomes, and inform
government policies and programs. In this brief, first
section reports on Zambia's continued robust growth,
fiscal outcomes, and capital inflows at the end of 2012
against the backdrop of performance of other Sub- Saharan
and global economies. It stresses the need for the
government to spend borrowed and own resources more
prudently. While acknowledging continuing strong prospects
for growth, the analysis highlights considerable downside
risks emanating from global uncertainties. Second section
covers basic human opportunities for children in Zambia. The
opportunities approach is premised on the notion that
predetermined circumstances such as gender, ethnicity, place
of birth, and family origins should not determine
people's economic, social, and political success. A
person should not have fewer opportunities in life just
because she is a girl or born in a rural area. This is the
core principle behind the concept of equality of opportunity
and it is also the framework adopted in this report for
Zambia. The analysis shows the extent to which basic
opportunities for education, health, and infrastructure
services in Zambia are influenced by circumstances in which
children find themselves.
Citation
“World Bank. 2012. Zambia Economic Brief: Recent Economic Developments and the State of Basic Human Opportunities for Children. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/26818 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”