Asia’s burden of human deprivations: how can they be

Discussion about Asian poverty and other forms of deprivation is beginning to get less attention from Asian policy makers and their international counterparts. Asia’s rapid growth and burgeoning middle classes promise an abundance of market opportunities for manufacturing and services. Asian cities now boast modern transportation infrastructure – new airports, metro railways, high-rises, and malls. Governments command greater funds. Countries in Asia would like to play a bigger role in international affairs, commensurate with the enlarged size of their economies. The focus of attention is on faster growth, which can bring this about while also taking care of poverty and other deprivations.