Goal 1 Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
change in inequality has a more significant impact on poverty than a percentage change in growth. Inequality in the distribution of assets, such as land, as well as the use of public services, such as education and health, hinders poverty reduction in much of Africa. Inequalities in access to education are particularly wide in several West African countries, including Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali, while in Kenya, Malawi and Tanzania the differences are quite small (Gauci and Gueye, 2003). Disparities in educational access reflect lack of physical access (particularly in rural areas where the poor tend to be concentrated) and the direct and indirect costs associated with educating a child. All these factors contribute to higher dropout rates.
Target 1B: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all, including women and young people Employment is projected to grow but higher productivity is key to decent jobs The world is still grappling with the effects of the global financial crisis on employment generation. The world’s average annual employment growth of 1.1 per cent in the post-crisis (2008–2011) years was below the pre-crisis (2002–2007) average of 1.8 per cent, and is projected to stay below precrisis rates in 2012–2016 (table 1.4). Africa’s employment growth over the next half decade is expected to exceed the global average. Improvements in the business climate in some Africa countries and the drive for African markets by both the emerging and Western countries are expected to create employment opportunities in the region. However, labour productivity is expected to decline over 2014–2016.
Table 1.4 Africa has potential for generating jobs but its productivity growth is too low Groupings World Developed econo-
Average annual employment growth (%) Average annual labour productivity growth (%) 2002–2007 2008–2011 2012–2013 2014–2016 2002–2007 2008–2011 2012–2013 2014–2016 1.8 1.1 1.4 1.3 2.5 1.6 2.6 3.2
mies and EU CSEE (non-EU) and
1.0
-0.3
0.4
0.6
1.4
0.5
1.5
2
CIS East Asia South- east A sia
1.1 1.2
0.8 0.6
0.5 0.6
0.3 0.3
6.1 8.6
1.1 7.8
3.5 7.5
4.0 8.1
and the Pacific South Asia Latin America Middle East North Africa Africa (excluding
1.8 2.2 2.5 4.5 3.4
1.9 1.0 1.9 3.2 2.0
1.6 2.0 1.8 2.8 2.2
1.4 1.9 1.7 2.5 2.3
4.1 5.4 1.4 0.9 1.4
2.6 6.1 1.0 0.9 1.8
3.5 4.8 1.7 1.2 0.8
4.0 5.4 1.8 2.0 2.8
North Africa)
3.1
2.8
3
3
2.5
1.5
2.3
1.9
Source: ILO (2012). Note: CIS = Commonwealth of Independent States; CSEE = Central and South-eastern Europe; EU = European Union.
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Assessing Progress in Africa toward the Millennium Development Goals, 2012