Female literacy and female labour force participation have increased to an extent where overall gender equality is close at hand. These achievements are also more commendable as the country has remained a low income country. But perhaps most important is to realise that our economic and social attainments have been within a democratic framework. Despite these achievements the limitations are clear. Economic growth of around 4 per cent over this period has been inadequate to meet either the employment needs of the rapidly growing labour force or raise per capita incomes adequately to move the country from a low income country to that of a middle income nation.
Unemployment remains high, particularly among the educated youth.
About a quarter of the population is estimated to be still below the poverty line. Despite the reductions in mortality rates, the population exhibits high rates of illnesses associated with poverty and poor living conditions. Despite the high attainments in literacy and school enrolment, both school and university education appears largely inadequate to serve a modern industrial state requiring high technology and managerial skills. The quality of education in the country is being seriously questioned. Wide disparities, not only in incomes but social conditions, are a characteristic of the country.