An International Multi-Disciplinary Journal, Ethiopia Vol. 4 (4), Serial No. 17, October, 2010 ISSN 1994-9057 (Print) ISSN 2070-0083 (Online) Preliminary Multivariate Analysis of the Factors of Socio- Economic Development of Nigeria – A Case Study of Delta State of Nigeria (Pp. 187-204) Ugbomeh, B. A. - Department of Geography and Regional Planning, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria E-mail :
[email protected] Atubi, A.O. - Department of Geography and Regional Planning, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria E-mail:
[email protected] Abstract The paper examined the socio-economic factors of development in the Delta state of Nigeria. The major source of data is secondary and the statistical technique is the step-wise multiple regression. The household income was used as an index of development while the socio-economic variables included population, education, and employment, capital water projects, housing unit, health centres, industries and police station. Four key socio-economic variables of population, health centres, employment and capital water projects were identified as being responsible for 80% of the variation in the development of Delta state of Nigeria among other variables. Solutions to identified problems were proffered. Keywords: Socio Economic, Development Delta, Introduction There is no single agreed definition of economic development. Economic development refers to the structural transformation of human society from subsistence economy to urban – industrialization, to the sustained raise in Copyright © IAARR, 2010: www.afrrevjo.com 187 Indexed African Journals Online: www.ajol.info Vol. 4 (4), Serial No. 17, October, 2010. Pp 187-204 productivity and income that result. The transformation is seen in the structure of production, consumption, investment and trade, in occupation, rural-urban residence.