CASE STUDY REPORT FORMAT

Case Study Case Study 5: Institutions, Inequality, and Incomes: Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire
No./TITLE
Chap. No./Title Chapter 5: Poverty, Inequality, and Development

 INTRODUCTION

 Introduction/Brief background of the case

The world’s two fastest growing economy also happens to be the world’s two most populous
nations, China and India. In 2013, India’s population was over 1.2 billion; while China’s 1.35 billion
is still larger, it is still projected that India will surpass China in 2030 with a population of 1.48
billion and China’s to be at 1.45 billion. Like most developing countries, both of their populations
grew rapidly with indirect correlation to their mortality rates yet their birth rates fell much slower.
Both countries increased their growth rate which attributed to the fall of their fertility rates. In this
topic, we will understand how population policy plays an important role in setting the stage for
growth.
 EVALUATION OF THE CASE

o Economic Development Indicators

 Social Indicators
1. Human Development Index (life expectancy, under 5 mortality rate, incidence of child
labor, literacy rate)
 By mid-1990s, China’s fertility rate was 1.9 births per woman and fell to 1.6 by
2013; Kerala, a state in India, has a fertility rate of 1.7 births per woman and
has stayed the same until 2010. In Bihar, also a state in India, has a fertility rate
of 2.5 similar to Pakistan; India’s overall fertility rate is 2.5 births per woman.
 In 2010, the ratio of males to females in India was 108 to 100; the ratio at birth
is approximately 112 to 100. On the other hand, China’s male to female ratio
for the same year was 106 to 100; the ratio at birth is 118 to 100.
2. Problems on Inequality (gender inequality, inequality in income and land distribution)
 Both countries have a strong preference for boys. Both countries also share the
same “missing women” problem

 IDENTIFICATION OF THE PROBLEM

Key Issue
○ The population of both countries are rising in an alarming rate and the population pressures are
viewed as threatening prospects for future development. China initiated draconian measures to
address this problem. However, this resulted in female bias and there have been many reports
that girls receive less medical attention. India was the first country to implement national
family-planning program but proved to be ineffective.
 Causes
o By the early 1970s, Minister Indhira Gandhi tried to implement drastic population control by
forced sterilizations and other coercive measures that ended up giving family planning a bad
reputation in many areas in the country. The effects of these persisted even years later as
villagers avoided health workers out of fear of forced sterilization.
o In China, after the Communist takeover in 1949, Chinese leaders led by Mao Zedong send
advocates of population control to jail.
o The Chinese government adopted a policy of one child per family.
o In China by 1988, its population passed the 1 billion mark and decided to increase its
enforcement of the one-child norm in rural and urban areas.
 GOVERNMENT RESPONSES

 China
o In 1950s, when China faced a famine under Mao Zedong’s rule, population control policies
were moderated.

Page 1
CASE STUDY REPORT FORMAT
Case Study Case Study 5: Institutions, Inequality, and Incomes: Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire
No./TITLE
Chap. No./Title Chapter 5: Poverty, Inequality, and Development

o Economic incentives are given more to those who follow the one-child policy. These incentives
include housing, medical care, and education.
o At the same time, Mothers of two or more children were often denied promotions, and steep
fines, sometimes in excess of 10 times China’s per capita income, were levied for second and
third children.

 India
Because of public revulsion in coercive measures in population control, Gandhi was voted out
o
of office in 1977.
o They gave incentives to smaller families. These policy incentives vary from state to state.
o The Indian government participated in their cultural awareness on the part of rural women of
urban norms of women’s empowerment, facilitated by village television and the Internet.
o Television, billboard, and other advertising in India has promoted family planning.
 EFFECTS OF GOVERNMENT RESPONSES ON THE ECONOMY

GOVERNMENT RESPONSES EFFECTS

China
● In 1950s, when China faced a famine
under Mao Zedong’s rule, population
control policies were moderated.
● Economic incentives are given more to
those who follow the one-child policy.
These incentives include housing,
medical care, and education.
● Mothers of two or more children were
often denied promotions, and steep
fines, sometimes in excess of 10 times
China’s per capita income, were levied
for second and third children.
India
● Because of public revulsion in coercive
measures in population control, Gandhi
was voted out of office in 1977.
● They gave incentives to smaller
families. These policy incentives vary
from state to state.
● The Indian government participated in
their cultural awareness on the part of
rural women of urban norms of
women’s empowerment, facilitated by
village television and the Internet.
● Television, billboard, and other
advertising in India has promoted
family planning.
● China initiated a tough new drive to
deter births, with a goal of lowering
the annual birth rate to 1% during the
decade. Stringent and often draconian
measures to achieve that goal were
introduced in 1982 and 1983
● Chinese families tried to upkeep the
one-child policy.
● This gave women an unfair treatment
especially in medical attentions. This
also made itself its own culture
whereas Chinese families wants a boy
instead of a girl to carry on the family
name thus further emphasizing female
bias.
● In 1980, Gandhi returned in power
with the promise of not reintroducing
the draconian measures.
● This modest move by the Indian
government encouraged smaller
families.
● This gave a positive impact on the
community and proved how awareness
plays a vital role in population control.
● these campaigns yielded positive
effects on their population, efforts
have been far more successful when
the social climate has changed enough
to be receptive to the message.

Page 2
CASE STUDY REPORT FORMAT
Case Study Case Study 5: Institutions, Inequality, and Incomes: Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire
No./TITLE
Chap. No./Title Chapter 5: Poverty, Inequality, and Development

 RECOMMENDATIONS

 While China’s draconian measures in their population control proved to be effective, it leaves a bad taste
in its citizens. Negative impacts can be seen from its citizens. Furthermore, development is retarded
especially in gender equality towards women. It is recommended to further relax these policies, if not to
abandon it.
 The Indian government’s participation in social awareness yielded positive feedback from its citizens as
well as positive results. In Kerala, this we’re achieved through active public dialogues that resulted
ultimately in the emergence of new social attitudes and values. China is recommended to adapt this
approach towards their population control.
 While India may have success in its population control, their growth is rather slow. This is because they
lack investments in health and education unlike China. It is recommended that they provide more
investments in this area to accompany their economic development with more economic growth.

Page 3