[Peckingjay]

And a lot poorer overall, which certainly doesn't help. GDP(PPP) per capita for India was 7874 in 2018. Versus 41351, 44227 and 53023 for South Korea, Japan and Taiwan respectively. These countries that manage their high population density pretty well are also much smaller (Japan is around 10 times smaller than India) and it is much easier to optimize/organize on a smaller scale.

[BurningFrog]

The way I think of it, India's pollution and poverty are both caused by their society not organized well.

I believe South Korea was poorer than India in living memory!

[rayiner]

When my dad was born in what was then Pakistan in 1951, South Korea was about as poor as India and Pakistan. Today, it’s as rich as France.

[pen2l]

Just curious: Have you visited China in recent time? The past few years it's made incredible gains, and it continues moving at a blazing speed.

I think one force that can encourage Pakistan to move forward is China. I don't know if Pakistan can have its own Samsung, but it can maybe 'modernize' with China's help. Would you agree?