ABSTRACT
Both African and non-African economists and social scientists have noted that the situation and the future development prospects for Africa look somewhat dismal. The issue of what policy or policies to follow to realize substantial improvements in basic human needs is particularly relevant for Africa and any analysis of its development prospects. The Physical Quality of Life Index was designed to supplement the gross national product by providing a more specific measure of what happens to people in situations of underdevelopment. The index also encourages a consideration of the interrelatedness of policies that bear on each aspect of development, and thus it favors the emergence of broadly rather than narrowly conceived strategies of development and meeting basic needs. Using either life expectancy or infant mortality by itself, for example, could lead to the mistaken conclusion that the resolution of each of those problems should be left to the medical practitioners.
