Developing countries like Madagascar (smaller blue dot) and Indonesia (bigger red dot) are unique to be looked into further. Especially, both countries have similar characteristics: island(s). Madagascar is a small island country in Indian Ocean, and Indonesia is an archipelago country. The fact that Madagascar’s earliest settlers arrived from southern Borneo, Indonesia, is another unique factor that makes me interested in both countries. I want to look further into these countries’ economy, education, and information and communication technology development. I believe those factors are interconnected in supporting the countries’ development.
Figure 1. Primary School Completion Rate vs Income per Person
In term of economy, Madagascar faced a crisis in 1982 which created its economy moved backward (indicated by diminishing Income percapita). The country is now developing its economy, even though in a quite slow progress. However, Madagascar’s primary school completion rates keep increasing along the time. On the other side, Indonesia’s income per capita and primary school completion rates are both in increment.
Figure 2. Internet User (per 100 people) vs Personal Computers (per 100 people)
The information and communication and technology is growing in both Madagascar and Indonesia. Personal computer ownership in Indonesia is slightly higher than in Indonesia than in Madagascar. Even though the personal computer ownership rate is relative similar, the internet users (per 100 people) in Madagascar do not improve as significant as in Indonesia. In Indonesia, there were a lot of internet cafés, where mostly students were able to access internet in cheaper price, which made people who did not have personal computer could access the internet. Thus the internet users rate have a significant increment. However, the last data shown was in 2006, and according to the World Bank[i], Madagascar has declared the Madagascar Action Plan for 2007-2012, which promotes the expansion of ICT infrastructure and access in the country including the establishment of ICT centers in schools.
Figure 3. Internet User (per 100 people) vs Cell Phones (per 100 people)
Nevertheless, ownership for cell phones in Madagascar and Indonesia hiked with Indonesia has a higher increase. This could be opportunities for both countries to accelerate internet usage for their citizens. Ericsson[ii] predicts that although current mobile data use among prepaid users remains low, smartphones are providing access for internet connectivity. For Indonesia, as an archipelago country, broadband internet would be very efficient in providing access to internet than the connectivity through Digital Subscriber Line. For Madagascar, the broadband internet development also would be beneficial as it is accessible by the citizen through the cell phones. The main thing to consider is how the internet usage will be advantageous for the development of Madagascar itself.
As experiencing little comparison between Madagascar and Indonesia, the interactive maps by Gapminder have provided visual descriptions that make people able to see the development, the growth, and even comparison within criteria and countries.
[i] Survey of ICT and Education in Africa : Madagascar Country Report. Retrieved from https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/10706 at 15 October 2012.
[ii] Profitable Prepaid Smartphones: How operators in developing economies can ride the prepaid smartphone growth wave. Ericsson Discussion Paper June 2012
Figure 1. Primary School Completion Rate vs Income per Person
In term of economy, Madagascar faced a crisis in 1982 which created its economy moved backward (indicated by diminishing Income percapita). The country is now developing its economy, even though in a quite slow progress. However, Madagascar’s primary school completion rates keep increasing along the time. On the other side, Indonesia’s income per capita and primary school completion rates are both in increment.
Figure 2. Internet User (per 100 people) vs Personal Computers (per 100 people)
The information and communication and technology is growing in both Madagascar and Indonesia. Personal computer ownership in Indonesia is slightly higher than in Indonesia than in Madagascar. Even though the personal computer ownership rate is relative similar, the internet users (per 100 people) in Madagascar do not improve as significant as in Indonesia. In Indonesia, there were a lot of internet cafés, where mostly students were able to access internet in cheaper price, which made people who did not have personal computer could access the internet. Thus the internet users rate have a significant increment. However, the last data shown was in 2006, and according to the World Bank[i], Madagascar has declared the Madagascar Action Plan for 2007-2012, which promotes the expansion of ICT infrastructure and access in the country including the establishment of ICT centers in schools.
Figure 3. Internet User (per 100 people) vs Cell Phones (per 100 people)
Nevertheless, ownership for cell phones in Madagascar and Indonesia hiked with Indonesia has a higher increase. This could be opportunities for both countries to accelerate internet usage for their citizens. Ericsson[ii] predicts that although current mobile data use among prepaid users remains low, smartphones are providing access for internet connectivity. For Indonesia, as an archipelago country, broadband internet would be very efficient in providing access to internet than the connectivity through Digital Subscriber Line. For Madagascar, the broadband internet development also would be beneficial as it is accessible by the citizen through the cell phones. The main thing to consider is how the internet usage will be advantageous for the development of Madagascar itself.
As experiencing little comparison between Madagascar and Indonesia, the interactive maps by Gapminder have provided visual descriptions that make people able to see the development, the growth, and even comparison within criteria and countries.
***
This writing is a weekly reflection writing on
the New Media and Development Practice class.
[i] Survey of ICT and Education in Africa : Madagascar Country Report. Retrieved from https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/10706 at 15 October 2012.
[ii] Profitable Prepaid Smartphones: How operators in developing economies can ride the prepaid smartphone growth wave. Ericsson Discussion Paper June 2012
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