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Spatial Diversity in the Socio-Economic Development in Sub-Saharan Africa as Measured by a Composite Index

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  • Agnieszka Witoń

    (Cracow University of Economics)

Abstract

The main aim of the article is to present the level of the socio-economic development in Sub-Saharan Africa's sub-regions: West Africa, South Africa, East Africa, and Central Africa. The second aim is to identify whether some of the subregions have significantly different level of the socio-economic development in comparison to the others. A composite index of development has been created. Hypotheses are verified through statistical analysis (including parametric tests). Sub-Saharan countries do not differ significantly in the socio-economic development level. No sub-region has a significantly higher (or lower) level of development in comparison to the others. However, after eliminating Seychelles from the analysis (as an outlier value) East Africa proves to be significantly lower developed than the whole region and other sub-regions. The lack of significant differences in the level of the socio-economic development in Sub-Saharan countries proves that analysing them as one group is justified. A new composite index of the socio-economic development has been created to test the hypotheses.

Suggested Citation

  • Agnieszka Witoń, 2015. "Spatial Diversity in the Socio-Economic Development in Sub-Saharan Africa as Measured by a Composite Index," Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, Centre for Strategic and International Entrepreneurship at the Cracow University of Economics., vol. 3(1), pages 75-85.
    • Handle: RePEc:krk:eberjl:v:3:y:2015:i:1:p:75-85
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    socio-economic development; developing countries; Sub-Saharan Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I30 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa

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