Research Note South Africa achieving goals of the NDP through improved human development

Transcription

1 Research Note South Africa achieving goals of the NDP through improved human development Findings on South Africa s performance in the 2014 United Nations Development Programme Human Development Report Dr Petrus de Kock Brand SA Research Manager 13 June 2014

2 Contents I Background II South Africa s Human Development profile in 2014 III South Africa Rankings IV - Comparative Developing Country Rankings 2014 V - Key additional Human Development Indicators VI - Conclusion

3 I - Background The 2014 UNDP Human Development Report (HDR) is entitled Sustaining Progress: Reducing Vulnerabilities and Building Resilience. This year s report therefore focuses on the relationship between social vulnerability and resilience. The UNDP argues that since inception of the Human Development Report societies around the world have made significant progress in terms of human development. However, these advances can quickly be reversed as a result of political or social instability, the onset of economic crises, or disasters that result from natural or human causes. The ability of societies or communities to cope with crises depends on their resilience. Hence the UNDP s focus on how resilient communities and societies are to survive adversity and calamity. II - South Africa s Human Development profile in 2014 The National Development Plan (NDP) identifies human development as a critical part of inclusive growth. The NDP acknowledges that South Africa still has a lot of work to do with regards to improving our human development profile. However, if one studies South Africa s performance in the HDR it is clear that we have been making significant progress in a relatively short time. Key findings: South Africa ranks at 118 th in the 2013/14 HDR; Since 2011 the country has improved its human development ranking with five over-all positions! The above means that the country is in fact addressing one of the key challenges outlined in the NDP being the need to improve our human development profile as a country. South Africa has made several gradual, yet significant strides over the past few years not only in its overall HDR ranking as mentioned above, but also in the areas of Human Development Index (HDI) value; Life Expectancy; Mean Years of Schooling and Gross National Income as indicated in the table below.

4 III - South Africa Rankings South Africa HDR Indicators 2014 Year Rank HDI value Life Mean Expected Gross expectancy Years of Years of National Schooling Schooling Income 2013/ $ (PPP) 2012/ $ 9594 (PPP) $ 9469 (PPP) Between 2011 and 2013/14, the country improved its HDI value by 0.039%, meaning that South Africans enjoy a longer, healthier life. During the same period, life expectancy has expanded by 4.1 years. The mean years of schooling have increased by 1.4 years while the expected years of schooling remained the same. Importantly, the Gross National Income (measured at PPP) has increased by $2194 to $ Interestingly enough, when looking at the comparative country rankings below, South Africa performs quite well in Gross National Income compared to the BRICS nations. However, in terms of life expectancy it is clear that South Africans do not yet have the same life expectancy as some of our developing country counterparts. IV - Comparative Developing Country Rankings 2014 Comparative HDR Indicators 2014 Country Rank HDI value Life Mean Expected Gross expectancy Years of Years of National at birth Schooling Schooling Income South $ Africa Brazil $ Russian $ Federation India $5 150 China $ Vietnam $ 4892 Indonesia $8 970 Nigeria $5 353 Kenya $2 158 Ghana $3 532 Turkey $ Mexico $15.854

5 V - Key additional Human Development Indicators The 2014 UNDP Human Development Report contains 17 statistical tables and indices along with their various human development components, including the: Adult health and health expenditures; Command over and allocation of resource; Gender Inequality Index (Table Four); Health: youth and children; International integration index; Multidimensional Poverty Index (Table Six); Personal insecurity index; and the Social competencies. The following table presents some indicators from UNDP statistical tables mentioned above. South Africa Key Additional Indicators: HDR 2014 Gender Inequality Index Multidimensiona l Poverty Health: children and youth Command over and allocation of resources Gender representation in Parliament (%) Population in severe Poverty (%) Mortality rates (per live births) Child Malnutrition (% of under age 5) Resea rch and Devel opme nt (% of GDP) Gross fixed capita l forma tion (% of GDP) Infants Under 5 Stuntin g (moder ate or severe) Over weig ht (mod erate or sever e) 41.1% 1.3% 33(/1000) 45(/1000)

6 South Africa Key Additional Indicators: HDR 2014 Social competencies Personal insecurity International integration Youth Unemployme nt (% ages of 15-24) Unemployme nt Rate (% ages 15 and older) Homicide rate (per ) 51.5% 25.1% 30.9 (/ ) 1.5 Foreign direct investment net inflows Of concern in the table above is the 51.5% unemployment rate in the year old category. As South Africans reflect on, and act to implement the NDP this issue remains of concern. Furthermore South Africa s homicide rate is quite high by global standards. VI - Conclusion As a country still grappling with a multitude of historical challenges it is encouraging to see that our human development profile has improved significantly in the past three years. This means that the NDP s goal of improving human development can be achieved. Underlying much of the improvement is the increase in life expectancy, and national income levels. It is interesting to note that South Africa only has 1.3% of the total population in severe poverty according to the UNDP. In this regard the Twenty Year Review released by the Presidency to mark celebrations of 20 years of democracy clearly show dynamic and positive changes in South Africa since For example, the Twenty Year Review (p.43) indicates that between 2001 and 2010: The LSM 1-4 bracket shrank by 4.6 million people The LSM 5-6 group grew by 5 million people, and The LSM 7-10 group swelled by 4.7 million people. This means that South Africa has, in the past decade, not only seen a significant movement of people out of the lower LSM s, but that in terms of human development, as measured by the UNDP, the country has also made significant strides. The lesson to take from this is that while many challenges remain, South Africa is clearly on the right path in terms of facing up to the task of improving lives, and developing the society.

7 Brand South Africa s Research Notes communicate findings from Brand South Africa research and related panel discussions. The Research Notes are intended to elicit comments, contribute to debate, and inform stakeholders about trends and issues that impact on South Africa s reputation and overall competitiveness. Views expressed in Research Notes are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of Brand South Africa, or the Government of the Republic of South Africa. Every precaution is taken to ensure the accuracy of information. However, Brand South Africa shall not be liable to any person for inaccurate information or opinions contained herein. Research Notes compiled by Dr. Petrus de Kock, Brand South Africa, Research Manager petrusd@brandsouthafrica.com