African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 1351: Chapter 357: Emerging Industrial Power_2

This is somewhat similar to the Northwest of the Far East Empire in a previous life, or the present-day Siberia of Russia. Although the conditions seem harsh, this was merely reflected in the climate. In eras with low productivity, it was indeed unsolvable, but after the advent of industrialization, its living standards were not necessarily inferior to other places.

Take the current Russian Siberia for instance. Siberia is indeed a ”bitterly cold place,” but the living conditions of Siberians are, in contrast, much better than those in Ukraine, the most fertile and warm climate region of Russia.

After all, the vast land and sparse population of Siberia provide abundant resources. In situations where resources are plentiful and the population sparse, the population itself becomes a valuable resource.

Moreover, the remoteness and harsh climate of Siberia kept it away from war in the past.

Those truly dissatisfied with the Siberian environment were probably the ”political prisoners” exiled here by the Tsarist government in the past.

Joking about digging potatoes in Siberia was indeed unbearable for them, but for the former lower-class Russian farmers, having a stable piece of land to dig potatoes was a luxury.

Of course, Siberia in Russia can only be considered as better than some but not as good as others. The Russian long-term policy in Siberia was essentially a colonial policy, and the living conditions of non-Russians were undoubtedly harsh.

This is similar to early East Africa, where people’s living conditions were actually not bad, mainly because at that time, East Africans had a large number of Black Slaves beneath them.

This continued until East Africa had completed its initial industrialization stage, approximately before the completion of the Two-Five Plan. The slave economy was always an important means to ensure the living standards of East African citizens.

After the end of the slave economy, remote areas of East Africa, such as the northern regions, had already built advanced transportation infrastructures. Coupled with vast lands and sparse populations, although the economic data in northern East Africa was not very impressive, the living standards of the people were above the national average.

Although the northern land is relatively barren, the small population means more arable land per capita. This offsets the environmental disadvantage. The same applies to resources; while northern mineral resources are relatively lacking, the per capita possession is higher, and job positions are relatively stable, so maintaining a normal living standard is not difficult at all.

If one desires better treatment and living conditions, they can only go to the cities and compete fiercely. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, mainly depending on personal pursuits.

The preliminary census data of 1918 gave the East African Government a reassurance. For a country with a short history like East Africa, the current population growth won’t put too much pressure on the government. On the contrary, it’s an important driver of economic development.

Moreover, according to Ernst’s experience, the future pressure the East African Government is likely to face is the issue of declining birth rates. After all, the level of urbanization in East Africa may have reached about forty percent.

This also means that East Africa can shed its past ”semi-industrial country” label because the forty percent urbanization rate already surpasses the urbanization level of developed countries of this era, which is about thirty-seven to thirty-nine percent. East Africa barely qualifies, while the global average urbanization level is less than twenty percent.

In the early 20th century, so-called developed countries, besides a few great powers, also included small economically advanced countries like Belgium and the Netherlands.

Of course, East Africa becoming a developed country doesn’t mean everything is fine. There is still a long way to go, especially with the four great powers: the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States, and France ahead of East Africa.

Among them, France’s urbanization rate should be closest to East Africa, at about forty-six percent, while the United States is around fifty percent, Germany close to sixty percent, and the United Kingdom has almost no room for growth with urbanization nearly complete.

France’s urbanization level among the great powers is relatively low. After all, France was once long considered a traditional great power in Europe and the world.

However, this is understandable, as since the Franco-Prussian War, France’s industrial development has been relatively slow. This is mainly compared with other industrial nations, especially its rival Germany. France has yet to recover from this, which also shows why France harbors such a great grudge against Germany.

It can be said that the Franco-Prussian War interrupted the entire fate of France, resulting in France’s urbanization level being nearly matched by East Africa, a country with over half a century of history.

Besides a few great powers, small European countries like Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden are likely above East Africa, though without specific data, this can only be inferred.

Of course, Sweden should be considered a medium-sized European country. East Africa judged Sweden’s urbanization and industrialization to be higher because, since the ’70s of the last century, Sweden’s economic development has been above the Western European average. Moreover, Sweden had a solid foundation even before that, and tracing back, it could even compare arms with Russia. Therefore, Sweden must have a certain industrial base.

Besides these countries, the reason East Africa can barely pass the urbanization level naturally includes the contrast to other nations, such as Japan, Spain, Russia, and Austria-Hungary.

Among these countries, the pre-war urbanization level of Austria-Hungary was the highest, but it only reached about twenty-five percent.