10 FACTS ABOUT POVERTY
IN AFRICA
How bad is poverty in Africa? The situation is improving, but Africa remains the poorest continent on Earth. But what many people may not know are the effects of poverty in Africa—including hunger, disease and a lack of basic needs. necessities.
1. According to recent surveys of a new report by Afrobarometer, "lived poverty " decreased in 22 of 33 countries surveyed in both rounds. However, poverty is still an issue that remains.
2. Poverty actually increased in five countries - most noticeably in Mozambique, Benin, and Liberia.
3. In average over the past year, over 40% of people said they went without clean water or food at least once or twice in the past year. 49% went without medical care, 38% without cooking fuel and 74% without cash income.
4. Africans who were employed full-time, had a high level of education, and lived in an urban area where basic infrastructure was in place, said they were rarely short of basic necessities.
5. There are vast differences in poverty levels within the countries that make up Africa. According to the Lived Poverty Index, Mauritis received a score of 0.10. This makes it the least poverty-stricken country. This contrasts greatly against the poorest country, Gabon, which has a score of 1.87.
6. Living in extreme poverty were all in sub-Saharan Africa. Extreme poverty is defined as living on $1.25 or less a day.
7. Poverty reults in over 500 million people suffering from waterborne diseases. According to the U.N. Millennium Project, more than 50% of Africans have a water-related illness like cholera.
8. Every year, sub-Saharan Africa loses $28.4 billion to water and sanitation issues.
9. Fewer than 20 percent of African women have access to education.
10. More than 1 million African children die every year from malaria. Malarial deaths in Africa alone account for 90 percent of all malaria deaths worldwide.
(statistics from CNN)
International news
Thousands of children every year, starve to death due to deficiencies in nutrients and food.