Now anybody who knows me, knows that I not so much love as I highly enjoy and am amused by statistics and the frequent ill-application of such. Today I read this news story from the BBC, reporting that a plan to tackle poverty in Africa will start soon. Excellent you think? Read on. This plan will combat poverty by making it possible for people to make mobile calls to each other with the rational being
A 2005 study showed that an increase of 10 mobile phones per 100 people could increase GDP growth by 0.6%.
Now perhaps it’s just me but maybe, just maybe, the increase of 10 mobiles per 100 people is an effect of the GDP rising and not the cause of it? I know it’s a stretch of the imagination to think that people need money to purchase and use phones but just try to open your minds for a moment. Oh boy!
source: BBC News