Introduction

The Hunger Project Online Briefing Program  The People and Nations of South Asia  Page 2 of 30

History

South Asia is home to 1.3 billion people, who together comprise 1/5 of all humanity. 

The region has an ancient history and rich culture spanning back for 5000 years. The efforts of South Asian countries to develop democratic governance, progress economically, and address the issues of persistent poverty are critical to the global struggle of ending hunger.

South Asia is a somewhat imprecise term that usually refers to India and its surrounding countries: Bangladesh Pakistan Nepal Sri Lanka Bhutan Maldives and by some classifications, Afghanistan.

• Because of the predominance of India in terms of land mass and population in the region, South Asia is sometimes referred to as the Indian Sub-Continent.

• The nations of South Asia are more alike than they are different. Cultures and languages spill across national borders, most of which were created in the colonial era. As in many other parts of the world, the creation of new and "artificial" national identities has been the source of much conflict and violent upheaval. This complex struggle continues to shape South Asia’s political and economic landscape.

• Together, the seven countries of South Asia—India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Maldives—are members of SAARC—the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. Through SAARC, its member countries are working together to identify solutions for their common problems.

  

• South Asia is one of world’s most populous regions, containing 1.3 billion people who comprise roughly 1/5 of all of humanity.

• Nearly 85% of the inhabitants of the region live in the two countries of India and Bangladesh.

• The population of the region is so large that the mere increase in population each year exceeds the total population of fifty smaller UN member countries.

• South Asia has a rich and ancient history of more than 5000 years. The cultural advances that have occurred in the region are at the foundation of many systems of thought and culture that exist in societies around the world today.

• South Asia is home to virtually all of the world's religions, nearly 700 distinct languages, and several thousand regional dialects.
  

• Despite widespread illiteracy, communal divisions, severe inequalities, and vestiges of its feudal past, South Asia is committed to the democratic process.

• India today is the world's largest democracy. Recently it has also been engaged in groundbreaking efforts to transform thousands of years of patriarchal tradition by decentralizing power to local bodies, and guaranteeing the participation of women.

• Throughout the region however, the emergence of democratic leadership has been beset by setbacks—including corruption, bouts of military rule, and people’s insurgencies.

• South Asian economies are a mixture of poverty and plenty, with advanced and productive economies coupled with persistent poverty.

• In many ways, South Asia has made real economic progress—Combined GNP has grown at an average annual rate of more than 5% during 1980-93, and per capita income has increased by nearly 3% each year. In India especially, agricultural productivity is among the world’s best, and the science and technology industry has burgeoned.

• As elsewhere in the world, economic progress does not always translate into real social progress in the lives of the people.

• Despite great achievements, statistical indicators show that South Asia is fast emerging as the poorest, most illiterate, most malnourished, and the least gender-sensitive region in the world.

• More than 500 million of its people live in poverty—themselves comprising 1/12 of the world’s population.

Introduction

The Hunger Project Online Briefing Program  The People and Nations of South Asia  Page 2 of 30

History