Savings and the Measurement of "self-help" in Developing Countries

📖 The Scoop

A mthod is described for dealing with the problem of self help. The method consists of deriving standards or ''norms'' for individual countries from a multiple regression model that expresses some indicator of performance (in this case, savings) as a function of several indicators of socio-economic structure. Several dif ferent savings models are described which are similar in that they express savings as a function of the same types of structural indicators: Gross National Product (GNP); per capita GMP; urbanization, measured alternatively by urban income or urban population; and international trade. Also discussed is the data that are used, principally derived from United Nations and AID sources, as well as the reservations that should be observed in the use of the data. Some of the empirical results are summarized for the different models and for the regional grouping for Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. Consideration is presented of the possible uses to which the approach might be put; suggests additional work that would be desirable in order to develop and refine the method; and outlines a number of caveats and qualifications concerning data reliability and other matters that apply to this approach. (Author).

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