ABSTRACT
Indonesia entered the development era 25 years ago with a very low economic and social base. One of the poorest countries in the world, it had a per capita income of US $50, roughly half that of India, Bangladesh, and Nigeria. Over 60% of the population (about 70 million people) lived in poverty. Hunger and malnutrition were widespread; illiteracy was high; life expectancy was about 50 years.
