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Natural Resource Trap

The idea that countries rich in natural resource wealth can fail to translate this into sustainable growth and inclusive development.

A world Bank report on the "Changing Wealth of Nations" published in 2018 found that nearly two-thirds of countries that have remained low income since 1995 are classified as resource-rich, or fragile and conflict states, or both

The natural resource trap is a phenomenon in which countries that rely heavily on natural resource exports struggle to diversify their economies and can become trapped in poverty. This can occur if the prices of natural resources decline or if the resources are depleted, leading to a decline in export revenues and economic growth.

Examples of countries that have been affected by the natural resource trap include:

  1. Angola: Angola is a major oil producer, and its economy has historically been heavily dependent on oil exports. However, the country has struggled to diversify its economy and has been hit hard by the decline in oil prices in recent years.
  2. Venezuela: Venezuela is another major oil producer that has been affected by the natural resource trap. The country's economy has been heavily dependent on oil exports, and the decline in oil prices has contributed to a deep economic crisis and widespread poverty.

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