Oil and natural resources remained the predominant contributors to growth. However, several other sectors, particularly agriculture, home industries and tourism, have grown quite significantly.
Poverty still remains a substantial problem.
Regional inequities in health care are important considerations, particularly maternal health which is still a major problem in rural areas. The needs of the increasing number of older persons will add to the double burden of disease, with prevailing communicable diseases on the one hand and the rising prevalence of noncommunicable diseases on the other. The number of women in the labour force is on the increase. Literacy and numeracy are being addressed through nonformal group education, the main constraints being in reaching the poor and those in remote areas. There were overall improvements in nutritional indicators between 1986 and 1995.