2B

Nepal

Economy: Nepal is classified as a “low income” country by the World Bank. Its per
capita GNI of $340 makes it the poorest nation in its region (South Asia). 2007 GDP was
$10.2 billion with largest percentage (48.9%) coming from the service sector. However,
three quarters of the population is engaged in agricultural activities.

Politics: A decade-long civil war ended in 2006 with the dissolution of the monarchy. A
new democratically-elected government faces many challenges including the healing
internal divisions, overhauling feudal structures of land tenure, extending services and
opportunities to women and the rural poor, and rebuilding civil society with trustworthy
and equitable institutions.

Population: 31% of Nepal’s 28.1 million people live below the national poverty line.
Life expectancy is 63 years and infant mortality is 46 per 1,000 live births. 89% of the
population has access to clean water. 39% of children under 5 suffer from malnutrition.

Culture: Only 17% of Nepalis live in urban areas. 49% of the adult population are
literate. 2.8% of households have computers and only 1% enjoy internet access. 1.4% of
the population are internet users. 11.6% are mobile cellular subscribers. Secondary
enrolment is at 43.2% and tertiary enrolment is 8.6%. Literacy is at 49.6%. Nepal is a
multi-ethnic and multi-lingual country. Ethnic and lingual Nepalis are nearly half the
population with many much smaller groups making up the rest.

Latvia

Economy: Latvia is classified as an “upper middle income” country by the World Bank.
Its per capita GNI of $9,930 places it above the average for its region and classification.
2007 GDP was $27.2 billion with the largest percentage (74.8%) coming from the service
sector. Latvia’s aggressive growth, weak export industry, and mounting foreign debt
have contributed to its decline in the current global economic crisis.

Politics: Latvia has emerged from its “occupied” status within the former Soviet bloc
with a modern popularly elected legislature that rules as a parliamentary democracy.
Latvia has many political parties which requires coalition-building in order to form a
ruling majority. Current stresses from the world financial crisis and popular unrest have
made it difficult to settle on a stable coalition.

Population: 6% of Latvia’s 2.3 million people live below the national poverty line. Life
expectancy is 71 years and infant mortality is 8 per 1,000 live births. 99% of the
population has access to clean water. No significant child malnutrition is recorded.
Culture: 68% of Latvians live in urban areas. 99% of the adult population are literate.
49% of households have computers and 51% enjoy internet access. 55% of the
population are internet users. 97.4% are mobile cellular subscribers. Secondary
enrolment is 98.6% and tertiary enrolment is 72.3%. Literacy is at 99%. Latvia is multi-
ethnic and multi-lingual. Ethnic and lingual Latvians are 59.2% of the population,
Russians 28%, and a variety of other mostly Eastern European groups make up the rest.

New Caledonia

Economy: New Caledonia is classified as a “high income” territory by the World Bank.
Its per capita GNI is $33,072 placing it near or at the top of its region. 2007 GDP was
$8.8 billion. New Caledonia’s most important industries are metal mining, tourism,
fisheries, and aquaculture. It remains a part of the French Republic from which it
receives financial benefit amounting to approximately 25% of GDP.

Politics: As a result of ethnic tensions and political violence in the 1980’s, France
accorded New Caledonia a greater degree of autonomy and created a roadmap towards
eventual independence. While France continues to administer foreign affairs and
defense, the Territorial Congress and government have increasing powers over a range of
domestic policies and regional cooperation. Recent elections do not make clear that
independence from France is a primary concern for many voters.

Population: No figures are available for poverty in New Caledonia. While there is not
the kind of poverty that makes subsistence living difficult or impossible, a higher level of
inequitable distribution exists than found elsewhere. A significant number of people
(mainly indigenous) outside of Noumea have markedly smaller incomes than wealthy
individuals (often Europeans) Life expectancy is 74.98 years and infant mortality is 7.05
per 1,000 live births.

Culture: The only urban area is around the capital Noumea. The Greater Noumea
metropolitan area has 146,245 residents, or about 63% of the territory’s total population
of 230,789. 96.2% of the population are literate. There are 17.1 computers per 100
people. 8.9% of the population enjoys internet access and 33.5% are internet users.
There are 72.8 mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 people. A little over 44% of the
population are indigenous Kanaks; Europeans are 34%; and the remainder come from
other Polynesian and Melanesian islands as well as southeast Asian countries.