africa regional forum on sustainable development … · eradicating all forms of poverty in africa...

Eradicating all Forms of Poverty in Africa

Saurabh Sinha

17 - 19 May 2017

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

AFRICA REGIONAL

FORUM ON

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Ensuring inclusive and sustainable

growth and prosperity for all

1

www.uneca.org/arfsd2017 2

Sustainable Development


1. Facts

2. Challenges

3. Opportunities

4. Policy Recommendations

Structure of the presentation

1. FACTS




Poverty in Africa has declined sharply since 2002, but much more

slowly overall than in other regions - largely because of little

decline in the 1990s.

Eradicating all Forms of Poverty in Africa www.uneca.org/arfsd2017


4

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

1990 1993 1996 1999 2002 2005 2008 2011 2013

Pe

rce

nt

East Asia and Pacific Europe and Central Asia Latin America and the Caribeean

Middle East and North Africa South Asia Africa other than North Africa

Africa other than North Africa

Even though poverty headcount ratio has declined by more than a

quarter since 2002,

• the number of poor people is stagnant since 2002 and

• more than half the world’s poor people are in Africa.







Non-monetary indicators of poverty

• Under-five mortality has reduced from 180 deaths per 1,000 live births

in 1990 to 83 in 2015 with a decisive acceleration since 2000 -

estimated to have saved the lives of 48 million children under-five.

• Child stunting rates are declining steadily, but the absolute number of

stunted children has increased since 2000. Nutrition-related factors still

contribute to about 45 percent of child deaths under age 5.

• Primary school enrolment has improved significantly. The percentage

of countries reporting at least 80 percent enrolment rates increased

from 31 percent in 2000 to 70 percent in 2015.

• Gender equality in primary school enrolment has been achieved,

although parity in higher levels of education and in labour markets has

had a much slower progress.

2. CHALLENGES




Depth of poverty - The poor in Africa, on average, live much further

below the extreme poverty threshold.




World average 8.8

High inequality – Average inequality in Africa is high and hampers

the poverty-reducing effect of economic growth




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Mis-match between growth sectors and employment creation



Nearly 50% of Africa’s labour force still works in agriculture

Sub-region

Women Men

Agriculture Industry Services Agriculture Industry Services

Central Africa65.9 7.7 26.0 58.4 10.2 30.2

Eastern Africa78.1 4.2 17.4 73.5 7.0 19.0

North Africa40.4 12.9 46.6 24.5 28.3 47.0

Southern Africa34.9 9.0 45.7 29.0 24.3 42.9

Western Africa43.4 9.9 44.8 51.7 12.2 34.0

Africa52.5 8.7 36.1 47.4 16.4 34.6

Title of the presentation goes here | Sub-Title goes herewww.uneca.org/arfsd2017

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35%

Working Age Population

60%

Total Unemployed

High youth unemployment rates – Youth in Africa constitute

but

Most youth and women in vulnerable employment – over 70% of workers in many countries

(e.g. Ethiopia, Benin, Uganda, Zambia, Ghana) in vulnerable employment

Africa’s demographic transition is delayed – Africa has the fastest rate

of population growth in the world (2.6% per year), limiting its potential

to unlock the demographic dividend

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www.uneca.org/arfsd2017

-0.5

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

Africa Asia Europe LAC Northern America Oceania

Pe

rce

nt

1990-1995 1995-2000 2000-2005 2005-2010 2010-2015


Eradicating all Forms of Poverty in Africa 12

3. OPPORTUNITIES




Inequality is declining in many countries and important lessons can

be learnt from these experiences


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The share of manufacturing in GDP has grown 3.5 per cent, orfaster than the global average, and manufacturing exports havedoubled in recent years. Thus,

• Intra-African trade of manufactured goods could be an importantcontributor to reducing poverty in Africa

• In addition, enhancing local economic development andentrepreneurship, and promoting the green economy can lead tojobs creation and livelihoods.

4. POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS







Economic growth is necessary but growth alone is insufficient for poverty reduction

Diversify sources of economic growth to enhance sustainable development.

Target both demand- and supply-side of the labour market to promoteemployment.

• Supply-side measures include developing appropriate skills through quality education, technicaland vocational training and entrepreneurial development.

• Demand-side measures include creating a suitable business environment, economic upgrading,establishing upstream and downstream linkages, strengthen regional links and negotiate forfavourable global trade agreements.

Ensure equity in public services delivery through a policy mix of universalaccess to compulsory schooling and health care.

Target the poor and the vulnerable with specific social protectionprogrammes.

Identify alternative sources of financing for the national developmentprogrammes.

17 - 19 May 2017

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

AFRICA REGIONAL

FORUM ON

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Ensuring inclusive and sustainable

growth and prosperity for all

THANK YOU!


more info: [email protected]

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