In the last decade the Cook Islands has made substantial progress in becoming financially independent with the Asian Development Bank recording six straight years of economic growth. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Chart from the Asian Development Bank showing GDP growth for the Cook Islands. Photograph: Asian Development BankThis progress has resulted in the tiny nation qualifying to move from “developing” to “developed” status, however the government is not celebrating. “Through my eyes the Cook Islands looks very much as it did 34 years ago, and that is probably not what someone would typically consider developed,” said Hermann. More than 60,000 Cook Islanders live in New Zealand – only 21,000 remain in the country.

Source: The Guardian October 08, 2017 00:45 UTC