New York – Extreme poverty has begun falling in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the 2007 United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) mid-point progress report.
According to the report which was recently released by the United Nations Information Centre, extreme poverty in the region fell from 46.8 percent in 1990 to 41.1 percent in 2004, registering an effective decline of 5.7 percentage points.
The report noted that much of the progress was achieved since 2000. “The number of people living on less than one US dollar a day is also beginning to level off, despite rapid population growth,” the report said.
The per capita income of seven sub-Saharan countries also grew by more than 3.5 percent a year between 2000 and 2005 while 23 countries had growth rates of more than two percent a year over the period, thus providing a degree of optimism for the future, according to the report.
Worldwide, the number of people in developing countries living on less than one USD a day had fallen to 980 million in 2004, from 1.25 billion in 1990, the report said. The proportion of people living in extreme poverty also fell from nearly a third to 19 per cent over this period. “If progress continues, the MDG target will be met,” the report said.
The poverty gap ratio, which reflects the depth of poverty as well as its incidence, decreased in all regions except West Asia , where the rising poverty rate has caused the poverty gap to increase, and in transition countries in Europe and Commonwealth of Independent States where there has been marginal deterioration or no change.
However, despite all this improvement, the poverty gap ratio in sub-Saharan Africa remains the highest in the world, indicating that the poor in that region are the most economically disadvantaged in the world.
UN member states adopted eight MDGs in 2000, which was a first attempt by the international community to set time-bound targets for development, which are to be achieved by 2015.
More About The Site
- walkingtheroads
- Walking The Roads blog is structured towards educating individuals across the globe about the poverty within the continent of Africa. The project started April 2009 and will continue until the organization have met all goals.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Why Don’t We See Poverty Rates Converging?
Sub-Saharan Africa now has the highest incidence of extreme poverty, such as judged by the World Bank’s $1.25 a day poverty line. Granted, Africa has shown encouraging signs since the mid 1990s of reversing its past record of relatively poor performance against poverty. (The crisis has probably brought that progress to a halt this year, but the continent will hopefully be back on track in due course.) But the problem is that developing countries which start out with a high incidence of poverty, including many of those in Africa, typically do not enjoy a higher subsequent pace of poverty reduction. The overall incidence of poverty is falling in the developing world, but no faster in its poorest countries. We do not see “poverty convergence.”
That is puzzling if we accept two widely-held “stylized facts” about economic development, namely that there is an “advantage of backwardness”—higher growth rates in poorer countries—and that there is an “advantage of growth,” whereby a higher mean income tends to come with a lower incidence of absolute poverty. There is empirical support for both views, though with qualifications. The advantage of backwardness should mean that countries starting out with a high incidence of poverty and lower average incomes should see a higher subsequent growth rate and (hence) higher pace of poverty reduction.
In a new paper, “Why Don’t We See Poverty Convergence?,” I suggest a solution to this puzzle. When households face borrowing constraints, I find that a high initial level of poverty slows consumption growth for a given level of mean consumption. A high incidence of poverty also entails a lower subsequent rate of progress against poverty at any given growth rate (and poor countries tend to experience less steep increases in poverty during recessions).
Thus, for many poor countries, the growth advantage of starting out with a low mean income is lost due to a handicap associated with the high initial incidence of poverty. However, the same study finds that high current inequality (as found in many African countries) is only a handicap to growth and poverty reduction if it entails a high incidence of poverty relative to mean consumption.
This dynamic “disadvantage of poverty” appears to sit side-by-side with other factors impeding poverty reduction, such as human underdevelopment and policy distortions. Future research needs to better understand this important handicap faced by poor countries in their efforts to become less poor.
That is puzzling if we accept two widely-held “stylized facts” about economic development, namely that there is an “advantage of backwardness”—higher growth rates in poorer countries—and that there is an “advantage of growth,” whereby a higher mean income tends to come with a lower incidence of absolute poverty. There is empirical support for both views, though with qualifications. The advantage of backwardness should mean that countries starting out with a high incidence of poverty and lower average incomes should see a higher subsequent growth rate and (hence) higher pace of poverty reduction.
In a new paper, “Why Don’t We See Poverty Convergence?,” I suggest a solution to this puzzle. When households face borrowing constraints, I find that a high initial level of poverty slows consumption growth for a given level of mean consumption. A high incidence of poverty also entails a lower subsequent rate of progress against poverty at any given growth rate (and poor countries tend to experience less steep increases in poverty during recessions).
Thus, for many poor countries, the growth advantage of starting out with a low mean income is lost due to a handicap associated with the high initial incidence of poverty. However, the same study finds that high current inequality (as found in many African countries) is only a handicap to growth and poverty reduction if it entails a high incidence of poverty relative to mean consumption.
This dynamic “disadvantage of poverty” appears to sit side-by-side with other factors impeding poverty reduction, such as human underdevelopment and policy distortions. Future research needs to better understand this important handicap faced by poor countries in their efforts to become less poor.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
How have policies and institutions in low-income African countries fared?
Last Friday, the World Bank released its Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) of low-income countries. While the assessments are mainly used to determine the allocation of concessional IDA resources to poor countries, they can also provide a useful picture of the evolution of policies and institutions in Africa, as a recent note by my colleagues Delfin Go and Vijdan Korman shows. They find that:
Over the past eight years, African countries’ performance is about average compared with East Asia and South Asia.
Within Africa, Cape Verde, Tanzania, Uganda and Ghana have consistently had strong CPIA scores, while Zimbabwe, Comoros, Central African Republic and Eritrea seem to be stuck at the
low end of the scale.
Over the past five years, the biggest improvements in CPIA scores were registered by Ghana, Rwanda, Zambia and Mozambique, while Eritrea, Chad and Zimbabwe experienced the largest deterioration. Seven of Africa’s nine oil exporters (Angola and Nigeria were the exceptions) saw their CPIA scores decline.
For Africa as a whole, most of the improvement in policies and institutions was in the category called “economic management”—essentially macroeconomic and fiscal policies. The average scores on the other dimensions—structural policies, equity and social inclusion, and public management—stagnated. While some countries showed improvements along these other dimensions, an equal number of countries saw their scores go down.
Over the past eight years, African countries’ performance is about average compared with East Asia and South Asia.
Within Africa, Cape Verde, Tanzania, Uganda and Ghana have consistently had strong CPIA scores, while Zimbabwe, Comoros, Central African Republic and Eritrea seem to be stuck at the
low end of the scale.
Over the past five years, the biggest improvements in CPIA scores were registered by Ghana, Rwanda, Zambia and Mozambique, while Eritrea, Chad and Zimbabwe experienced the largest deterioration. Seven of Africa’s nine oil exporters (Angola and Nigeria were the exceptions) saw their CPIA scores decline.
For Africa as a whole, most of the improvement in policies and institutions was in the category called “economic management”—essentially macroeconomic and fiscal policies. The average scores on the other dimensions—structural policies, equity and social inclusion, and public management—stagnated. While some countries showed improvements along these other dimensions, an equal number of countries saw their scores go down.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Shoes Aid in Preventing Debilitating Diseases
Wearing shoes helps prevent the spread of parasitic diseases that plague an estimated billion people worldwide, they are a basic human necessity. And the reality of life for many individuals in impoverished parts of Africa, Asia, and South America is that shoes are a rarity. It is not uncommon for children to grow up in these areas without ever having had a pair of new shoes - or any shoes at all.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that there are many hazards associated with going barefoot in contaminated sand, soil and dirty water, but the most obvious public health problem is hookworm disease.
Shoes also help prevent strongyloidiasis, podoconiosis and nonfililal elephanticisis. In many developing countries where stagnant water is a problem, these diseases are almost a condition of life. Parasites breed in such water, with females releasing 3,000 to 200,000 eggs per day depending on their type. Children sometimes swim in parasite-infested waters, and in the absence of suitable drinking water, people may be forced to drink it and use it for cooking purposes. Amongst the poorest of the poor, treatment for parasitic infections becomes a vicious cycle.
Once parasites enter the body, they often perforate the intestines, circulatory system, lungs, liver and other organs, and cause physical trauma. They can lump together in balls, and travel into and erode or block the brain, heart and lungs. On occasion, these lumps have been mistaken for cancerous tumors. Parasites also give off metabolic waste products that poison our bodies. Left untreated, the infections they cause can result in the loss of limbs, chronic illness and even death.Parasitic infections often prevent adults from being able to work and children from being able to attend school. The relationships between illness, access to education, and poverty have been well-documented by organizations such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Although most parasitic diseases are easily preventable, in the last 20 years or so, the fight against HIV/AIDS and malaria has captured public attention and resources resulting in their being overlooked, which is why they have earned the name “diseases of neglect.”
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that there are many hazards associated with going barefoot in contaminated sand, soil and dirty water, but the most obvious public health problem is hookworm disease.
Shoes also help prevent strongyloidiasis, podoconiosis and nonfililal elephanticisis. In many developing countries where stagnant water is a problem, these diseases are almost a condition of life. Parasites breed in such water, with females releasing 3,000 to 200,000 eggs per day depending on their type. Children sometimes swim in parasite-infested waters, and in the absence of suitable drinking water, people may be forced to drink it and use it for cooking purposes. Amongst the poorest of the poor, treatment for parasitic infections becomes a vicious cycle.
Once parasites enter the body, they often perforate the intestines, circulatory system, lungs, liver and other organs, and cause physical trauma. They can lump together in balls, and travel into and erode or block the brain, heart and lungs. On occasion, these lumps have been mistaken for cancerous tumors. Parasites also give off metabolic waste products that poison our bodies. Left untreated, the infections they cause can result in the loss of limbs, chronic illness and even death.Parasitic infections often prevent adults from being able to work and children from being able to attend school. The relationships between illness, access to education, and poverty have been well-documented by organizations such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Although most parasitic diseases are easily preventable, in the last 20 years or so, the fight against HIV/AIDS and malaria has captured public attention and resources resulting in their being overlooked, which is why they have earned the name “diseases of neglect.”
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Poverty in Africa
Poverty is a state of not having enough money to take care of basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter. In other words it is a deficiency or deprivation. Poverty is a social problem that depends on the environment you find yourself in. For example poverty in Europe may not be poverty in Africa. This could be due to the level of development these continents have reached.
Africa is a continent known for its deep history and rich culture but is also known as a continent battling against poverty and disease. Most Africans in rural areas are engaged in either subsistence or commercial farming, but these people cannot be regarded as an average group of people because commercial farmers grow crops and rear animals for sale and so it makes them dependent on people to buy their farm produce.
Subsistence farmers grow crops and rear animals for sustenance of themselves and their families and while he might be able to provide food for his family he might not be able to provide other basic needs like shelter and clothing. Going into the causes of poverty in Africa: our African culture and beliefs have also driven some people to poverty. Take for example a culture that considers giving birth to many children as a sign of blessing from God. This belief could drive someone to poverty because with a large number of children it becomes a problem to cater for each of their needs. Also lack of education leads to poverty.
Some parents don’t see the importance of educating their children while some don’t have enough money to send their children to school. Such parents sometimes prefer sending their kids to hawk on the streets, an activity that doesn’t save them from their state of being poor. Natural disaster brings about poverty, for example the epidemic of bird flu that some time ago affected poultry; it affected not only poultry but also poultry farmers. These farmers lost income at that time because of the reduction in the consumption of poultry and those that were badly affected might have been driven into poverty. Aside from epidemics other natural disasters include floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes.
So also conflicts between and within countries cause poverty. This is so because lives and property will be lost and some people may lose the breadwinner of their family or property such as house and this may lead to poverty. In addition unemployment and laziness makes one limited in satisfying his needs which means poverty for such an individual. Furthermore poverty has its own effects on an individual and on society, which I will highlight below. Poverty leads to child labour which will expose the child to the dangers of being kidnapped, raped or other accidents.
It could also give an individual the idea of prostitution which exposes an individual to sexually transmitted diseases and loss of self-respect and dignity. Poverty leads to an increase in the crime rate such as armed robbery, making a fake of one’s documents, selling of hard drugs and this brings about discomfort to the society at large. Malnutrition is also a negative effect of poverty which could lead-to ill health. Having looked at the causes and negative effects of poverty, I would like to give some possible solutions to this social problem. Talking of a peaceful society, it is observed that work takes place, so also a stable society has a stable economy, that is to say that we Africans should try to resolve all disputes both within and outside our various countries.
Governments should provide free education at least at primary and secondary level; government should also encourage the uneducated ones through skills appreciation programs such as teaching them how to sew to make them more useful to themselves. Parents should be enlightened on why they should educate their children. We should look for a better way to tap our resources either by providing more machines or even talking to countries that can assist in this aspect. Small and medium scale companies should be encouraged to extract, process and produce our goods instead of exporting them for processing and buying them back at an expensive price.
Parents should be educated on the importance of family planning. International organisations can also partake in the reduction of poverty for example the United Nations, African Union among others. In conclusion, having discussed this social problem, it is left for us Africans to see to its alleviation.
We should all come together, drop all grudges and co-operate as brothers to help one another in our various deprived states. This could be achieved by forming our own international organisations like ECOWAS and the AU to help economically, socially, physically or in any other way possible. With this strategy in place, our continent will grow and poverty will gradually be eliminated.
Africa is a continent known for its deep history and rich culture but is also known as a continent battling against poverty and disease. Most Africans in rural areas are engaged in either subsistence or commercial farming, but these people cannot be regarded as an average group of people because commercial farmers grow crops and rear animals for sale and so it makes them dependent on people to buy their farm produce.
Subsistence farmers grow crops and rear animals for sustenance of themselves and their families and while he might be able to provide food for his family he might not be able to provide other basic needs like shelter and clothing. Going into the causes of poverty in Africa: our African culture and beliefs have also driven some people to poverty. Take for example a culture that considers giving birth to many children as a sign of blessing from God. This belief could drive someone to poverty because with a large number of children it becomes a problem to cater for each of their needs. Also lack of education leads to poverty.
Some parents don’t see the importance of educating their children while some don’t have enough money to send their children to school. Such parents sometimes prefer sending their kids to hawk on the streets, an activity that doesn’t save them from their state of being poor. Natural disaster brings about poverty, for example the epidemic of bird flu that some time ago affected poultry; it affected not only poultry but also poultry farmers. These farmers lost income at that time because of the reduction in the consumption of poultry and those that were badly affected might have been driven into poverty. Aside from epidemics other natural disasters include floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes.
So also conflicts between and within countries cause poverty. This is so because lives and property will be lost and some people may lose the breadwinner of their family or property such as house and this may lead to poverty. In addition unemployment and laziness makes one limited in satisfying his needs which means poverty for such an individual. Furthermore poverty has its own effects on an individual and on society, which I will highlight below. Poverty leads to child labour which will expose the child to the dangers of being kidnapped, raped or other accidents.
It could also give an individual the idea of prostitution which exposes an individual to sexually transmitted diseases and loss of self-respect and dignity. Poverty leads to an increase in the crime rate such as armed robbery, making a fake of one’s documents, selling of hard drugs and this brings about discomfort to the society at large. Malnutrition is also a negative effect of poverty which could lead-to ill health. Having looked at the causes and negative effects of poverty, I would like to give some possible solutions to this social problem. Talking of a peaceful society, it is observed that work takes place, so also a stable society has a stable economy, that is to say that we Africans should try to resolve all disputes both within and outside our various countries.
Governments should provide free education at least at primary and secondary level; government should also encourage the uneducated ones through skills appreciation programs such as teaching them how to sew to make them more useful to themselves. Parents should be enlightened on why they should educate their children. We should look for a better way to tap our resources either by providing more machines or even talking to countries that can assist in this aspect. Small and medium scale companies should be encouraged to extract, process and produce our goods instead of exporting them for processing and buying them back at an expensive price.
Parents should be educated on the importance of family planning. International organisations can also partake in the reduction of poverty for example the United Nations, African Union among others. In conclusion, having discussed this social problem, it is left for us Africans to see to its alleviation.
We should all come together, drop all grudges and co-operate as brothers to help one another in our various deprived states. This could be achieved by forming our own international organisations like ECOWAS and the AU to help economically, socially, physically or in any other way possible. With this strategy in place, our continent will grow and poverty will gradually be eliminated.
THE POSSIBLE WAYS TO END POVERTY IN AFRICA
Allocate resources fairly. Anti-corruption and sound public administrative policies should be a made a priority. Corruption is by far one of the leading causes of poverty in Africa. The elite and those in power should not be the only beneficiaries of public resources and funds, while the poor perish.
Related with the above, the budget allocation process should focus on areas that help end poverty. For instance, if agriculture employs more people than other sectors, then a substantial size of the budget should go to this sector.
Reduce dependency on foreign aid. Mechanisms should be put in place to promote self growth, other than waiting for the donors to provide for us. Countries should provide opportunities to the poor to encourage them earn and develop on their own, without opening their hands to the beggars. This can be in the form of training, extension services and micro-finance provision. Small scale entrepreneurs should be encouraged to set up and expand.
Encourage infrastructure development in all regions.
Better roads, schools, electricity, health facilities etc, are strong catalysts in development and poverty alleviation. And if well distributed can lead to easy access to markets as well as attract development in areas that would otherwise remain without. This will also help reduce the production costs and thus more net income in the long run. The tendency for most African countries is to focus their development only in urban centers, yet majority of the poor live in rural areas.
Related with the above, the budget allocation process should focus on areas that help end poverty. For instance, if agriculture employs more people than other sectors, then a substantial size of the budget should go to this sector.
Reduce dependency on foreign aid. Mechanisms should be put in place to promote self growth, other than waiting for the donors to provide for us. Countries should provide opportunities to the poor to encourage them earn and develop on their own, without opening their hands to the beggars. This can be in the form of training, extension services and micro-finance provision. Small scale entrepreneurs should be encouraged to set up and expand.
Encourage infrastructure development in all regions.
Better roads, schools, electricity, health facilities etc, are strong catalysts in development and poverty alleviation. And if well distributed can lead to easy access to markets as well as attract development in areas that would otherwise remain without. This will also help reduce the production costs and thus more net income in the long run. The tendency for most African countries is to focus their development only in urban centers, yet majority of the poor live in rural areas.
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