THE DEVELOPMENT OF PHYSICAL AND HUMAN RESOURCES
What is meant By Development?
Development refers to the state of changing things around us to improve the way we live.
It is the process of changing and becoming larger, stronger, or more impressive, successful or advanced, or of causing somebody or something to change.
Development in a country is associated with economic growth through various economic activities such as farming, mining, manufacturing, transport, services and the welfare the people.
The transformation process associated with a country’s development may take years and are reflected in various aspect of her economic as well as human changes such changing from agriculture to industry ( e.g Malaysia) cutting down her annual birth rate ( e.g China) or becoming more and more urbanized (e.g Singapore)
STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT
Generally speaking, all countries go through three main stages of development before a high level of economic success can be achieved.
- Subsistence economy.
This is the basic economy based on food gathering, farming, fishing or mining.
This economy involves raising enough food for her people, providing shelter, large rural population and a high birth rate, providing poor transport system, using low technology, having domestic economy without foreign trade and simple lifestyle.
- Secondary Economy: This type of economy makes use of agricultural and local raw materials to industrialize. They try to cut down import of manufactured goods and to trade with more countries worldwide.
This economy involves, increased amount of imported foodstuff, better home for her people with improved facilities, increased urban shift, lower birthrate and increased urbanization, improved transport system in land, sea and air travels, higher level of technology, greater trade with foreign countries and higher standard of living and a more affluent society.
- Highly Matured Economy. This type of economy is based on industrialization. The improved technology, with rapid economic growth and greater investment by locals as well as by foreigners helps the economy to develop. This economy is characterized by a high food intake, modern homes, a complex transport system, a high level of technology, wide range of manufactured goods and a high level of material comfort.
How to measure Development?
The development of a country may be grouped under the following types;
- Quality of Life: The quality of life is measured by looking into the level of achievement of a country in aspects of health, literacy and welfare.
Those who enjoy a high quality of life e.g
- Economic Development. The economic development is measured by using statistics known as Development indicators, Such as GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT (GNP). The GNP is the total income of a nation for a year. Also, the economic development can be measured using, the average income per person per year (per capita income), the energy consumption per person per year, the percentage employed and other material comforts.
The most reliable development indicator is the GNP per capita.
