Economic revival programme struggles to do the job

Soaring inflation, acute food shortages and a decline in foreign investment are seen as some of the factors contributing to Zimbabwe's slip in this year's human development rankings. According to the UN Human Development Report 2003, Zimbabwe dropped to 145th position from 128th place achieved in 2002. The country was one of the worst performers among developing countries. The human development index is a composite measure of average achievement in three basic dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, education and a decent standard of living. Life expectancy at birth in Zimbabwe is now estimated at 35 years for the period 2000 to 2005, as compared to 61 years in 1990. Moreover, the country has one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates (34 percent) in sub-Saharan Africa. Observers have noted that since 1996 the country has undergone "accelerated deterioration in the socio-economic situation". The government is struggling to cope with an inflation rate of 300 percent, while 70 percent of the labour force is unemployed. "There has been a downward economic trend in the last 7 years, but one of the main reasons for the sharp decline in recent years is the land reform programme. Effectively, by appropriating 4,500 farms, the government closed down 4,500 big businesses that provided employment for thousands of people," independent economist John Robertson told IRIN. To halt the deterioration in the economy, the government launched the National Economic Revival Programme (NERP) in February 2003. But Robertson said while NERP acknowledged some of the challenges facing the government, the programme "failed to provide a solution". "Although the programme broadened economic policy decision-making to include government, the private sector and labour, there has yet to emerge a workable answer to the myriad of problems facing Zimbabweans," Robertson said.