Sub-Saharan African countries

Sub-Saharan African countries

Sub-Saharan Africa countries have the least reduction in extreme poverty and hunger, having dropped from 57% in 1990 to 41% in 2015. This is a drop of 28%. On the other hand, Eastern Asia counties, including China, have the greatest reduction in extreme poverty and hunger, having dropped from 61% in 1990 to only 4% in 2015. This is an impressive drop of 94%. South-Eastern Asia countries also had a significant reduction from 46% in 1990 to only 7% in 2015. This a reduction rate of 84%. China’s strong productivity and rapid development played a critical role in the reduction of extreme poverty and hunger in Eastern Asia.

Various factors contribute to the uneven progress seen in extreme poverty and hunger eradication. First, women in Asia are more likely to be working and achieve full and productive employment. This is not the case in many Sub-Saharan African countries where women are more likely to be excluded from modern jobs. Additionally, the proportion of workers in vulnerable employment in Eastern Asia countries has greatly reduced. On the other hand, Sub-Saharan African countries account for a huge percentage of the world’s vulnerable employment. Political instability, civil strife, conflicts, and natural disasters in Sub-Saharan African countries have also aggravated the situation compared to other regions.

Various strategies can be implemented to create more progress in these countries. As the Millennium Development Goals Report indicates, much work needs to be done to raise productivity, promote sustainable structural transformation and expand social protection systems for the poorest and most vulnerable workers and their families. This can be done by improving working conditions, population control, end political upheavals, and incorporation of more women in economic activities. Additionally, there is a need to ensure access to good schools, healthcare, electricity, safe water, and critical services to more people.