Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (2024)

  • Society

Poverty in Africa is widespread and high in various areas of the continent. In 2019, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) had the highest share of people living under the extreme poverty line of 2.15 U.S. dollars per day, with a share of 35.1 percent. The closest region was South Asia, with a significantly lower share of 8.5 percent of the individuals living there. Although this was dropping compared to the early and mid-1990s, it was falling slower than the rest of the regions. In fact, the global share living under extreme poverty dropped to 8.4 percent, significantly lower compared to the share in SSA as of the same year, driven by drops in other regions. Furthermore, out of the 20 countries with the most considerable income inequality worldwide, more than half of them (12 countries) were in Africa.


Monetary poverty and multidimensional poverty

Poverty is measured using different indices. On the global scale, monetary extreme poverty is set at 2.15 U.S. dollars a day in terms of Purchasing Power Parities (PPP), revised from previously 1.90 U.S. dollars daily in September 2022. The World Bank announced the change as a result of international increases in prices following the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. In Africa, Mozambique and Malawi had a substantial population living under the extreme poverty line, with over 70 percent of their people living in extreme poverty. On a national level, governments rely on the national poverty line, which is evaluated depending on a basket of goods with food and non-food goods and its consumer price indices (CPI).

Although monetary poverty deprives individuals of other social factors, including basic infrastructure and education, it does not reveal the whole story of poverty. Multidimensional poverty is another measure that takes into consideration several factors. Globally, SSA also had significantly higher multidimensional poverty levels worldwide, with a score of 0.29 as of 2021. Moreover, Eswatini, Niger, and Chad topped the African continent in multidimensional poverty.

Food security, undernourishment, and access to water and electricity

The most food-secure country on the African continent is in North Africa, namely Morocco, with a score of 63 points in 2022. South Africa ranks second, with a score of 61.7 points. On the other hand, Burundi, Madagascar, and Sierra Leone are the least food-secure countries in SSA. Moreover, Central and Eastern Africa have a high prevalence of undernourishment among their populations. Both regions registered shares close to 30 percent of their people facing undernourishment, almost 10 percent higher than the continental average.

Regarding clean water, the whole population in Mauritius had access to safe, drinkable water, while Botswana and South Africa had rates of over 90 percent as of 2020. Furthermore, African countries had problems providing their populations with access to electricity. For instance, in East Africa, just over 50 percent of the people had electricity access, with North Africa being the only region with rates as high as 98 percent.

Inequality and wealth

One of the issues exacerbating poverty in Africa is the extreme inequality and wealth distribution among African countries. Indeed, South Africa, Namibia, and Zambia had the highest income inequality in the world, with a Gini coefficient of nearly 63, 59, and 58 points, respectively. Moreover, the richest 10 percent in Africa held over 71 percent of the wealth on the continent, while the poorest 50 percent held only around 1.2 percent. In addition, certain countries concentrated private wealth in Africa. South Africa, Egypt, and Nigeria had more high net worth individuals, at 37,800, 16,100, and 9,800 people, respectively.

This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.

Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (1)

Saifaddin Galal

Research Expert North Africa

Published by Saifaddin Galal, Jan 10, 2024

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Overview

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  • Premium Statistic Most worrying topics worldwide 2024
  • Premium Statistic Share of world population living in poverty 1990-2019
  • Premium Statistic Poverty rate worldwide 1990-2019, by region
  • Basic Statistic Extreme poverty as share of global population in Africa 2024, by country
  • Premium Statistic Food-insecure people by region worldwide 2011-2022
  • Premium Statistic Gini Index - countries with the biggest inequality in income distribution 2023
  • Premium Statistic Global wealth distribution 2022, by region

Overview

  • Premium Statistic Most worrying topics worldwide 2024

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (8)

    Most worrying topics worldwide 2024

    Most important problems facing the world as of August 2024

  • Premium Statistic Share of world population living in poverty 1990-2019

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (9)

    Share of world population living in poverty 1990-2019

    Share of the world's population living on less than 2.15 U.S. dollars a day from 1990 to 2019 (in 2017 PPP)

  • Premium Statistic Poverty rate worldwide 1990-2019, by region

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (10)

    Poverty rate worldwide 1990-2019, by region

    Share of people living on less than 2.15 U.S. dollars worldwide from 1990 to 2019, by region (in 2017 PPP)

  • Basic Statistic Extreme poverty as share of global population in Africa 2024, by country

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (11)

    Extreme poverty as share of global population in Africa 2024, by country

    African countries with the highest share of global population living below the extreme poverty line in 2024

  • Premium Statistic Food-insecure people by region worldwide 2011-2022

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (12)

    Food-insecure people by region worldwide 2011-2022

    Estimates and projections of food-insecure people worldwide from 2011 to 2022 (in millions)*

  • Premium Statistic Gini Index - countries with the biggest inequality in income distribution 2023

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (13)

    Gini Index - countries with the biggest inequality in income distribution 2023

    20 countries with the biggest inequality in income distribution worldwide in 2023, based on the Gini index

  • Premium Statistic Global wealth distribution 2022, by region

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (14)

    Global wealth distribution 2022, by region

    Distribution of wealth worldwide in 2022, by region

Poverty indicators

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  • Premium Statistic Extreme poverty headcount ratio in Africa 2021, by country
  • Premium Statistic Extreme poverty headcount ratio in Africa 2018-2024, by area of residence
  • Premium Statistic Countries with the highest poverty gaps worldwide at 3.65 U.S. dollars a day 2019
  • Premium Statistic Prevalence of multidimensional poverty worldwide 2022, by region
  • Basic Statistic Countries with the highest prevalence of multidimensional poverty Africa 2011-2022
  • Basic Statistic Human development index of Africa 2021, by country

Poverty indicators

  • Premium Statistic Extreme poverty headcount ratio in Africa 2021, by country

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (15)

    Extreme poverty headcount ratio in Africa 2021, by country

    Share of population living in extreme poverty in Africa as of 2021, by country

  • Premium Statistic Extreme poverty headcount ratio in Africa 2018-2024, by area of residence

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (16)

    Extreme poverty headcount ratio in Africa 2018-2024, by area of residence

    Share of population living in extreme poverty in Africa from 2018 to 2024, by area of residence

  • Premium Statistic Countries with the highest poverty gaps worldwide at 3.65 U.S. dollars a day 2019

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (17)

    Countries with the highest poverty gaps worldwide at 3.65 U.S. dollars a day 2019

    20 countries with the highest poverty gaps worldwide at 3.65 U.S. dollars a day 2019 (in 2017 PPP)

  • Premium Statistic Prevalence of multidimensional poverty worldwide 2022, by region

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (18)

    Prevalence of multidimensional poverty worldwide 2022, by region

    Multidimensional Poverty Index score worldwide in 2022, by region

  • Basic Statistic Countries with the highest prevalence of multidimensional poverty Africa 2011-2022

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (19)

    Countries with the highest prevalence of multidimensional poverty Africa 2011-2022

    Countries with the highest Multidimensional Poverty Index score in Africa from 2011 to 2022

  • Basic Statistic Human development index of Africa 2021, by country

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (20)

    Human development index of Africa 2021, by country

    Human development index score of Africa as of 2021, by country

Food security

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  • Premium Statistic Food security index in North Africa 2022, by country
  • Premium Statistic Food security index in Sub-Saharan Africa 2022, by country
  • Premium Statistic Severe food insecurity in African sub-regions 2014-2022
  • Premium Statistic Food insecurity in Sub-Saharan Africa 2015-2020, by level

Food security

  • Premium Statistic Food security index in North Africa 2022, by country

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (21)

    Food security index in North Africa 2022, by country

    Food security index in North Africa in 2022, by country

  • Premium Statistic Food security index in Sub-Saharan Africa 2022, by country

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (22)

    Food security index in Sub-Saharan Africa 2022, by country

    Food security index in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2022, by country

  • Premium Statistic Severe food insecurity in African sub-regions 2014-2022

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (23)

    Severe food insecurity in African sub-regions 2014-2022

    Prevalence of severe food insecurity in Africa from 2014 to 2022, by sub-region

  • Premium Statistic Food insecurity in Sub-Saharan Africa 2015-2020, by level

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (24)

    Food insecurity in Sub-Saharan Africa 2015-2020, by level

    Prevalence of food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa from 2015 to 2020, by level

Undernourishment

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  • Premium Statistic Africa's share of the global undernourished population 2000-2022
  • Premium Statistic Number of people undernourished in Africa 2000-2030, by sub-region
  • Premium Statistic Share of undernourished population in Africa 2022, by region
  • Basic Statistic Undernourishment in Northern African countries 2004-2022
  • Basic Statistic Undernourishment in Eastern African countries 2004-2022
  • Basic Statistic Undernourishment in Middle African countries 2004-2022
  • Basic Statistic Undernourishment in Western African countries 2004-2022
  • Basic Statistic Undernourishment in Southern African countries 2004-2022

Undernourishment

  • Premium Statistic Africa's share of the global undernourished population 2000-2022

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (25)

    Africa's share of the global undernourished population 2000-2022

    Share of Africa in global undernourished population from 2000 to 2022

  • Premium Statistic Number of people undernourished in Africa 2000-2030, by sub-region

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (26)

    Number of people undernourished in Africa 2000-2030, by sub-region

    Number of people undernourished in Africa from 2000 to 2030, by sub-region (in millions)

  • Premium Statistic Share of undernourished population in Africa 2022, by region

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (27)

    Share of undernourished population in Africa 2022, by region

    Prevalence of undernourishment in Africa in 2022, by region

  • Basic Statistic Undernourishment in Northern African countries 2004-2022

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (28)

    Undernourishment in Northern African countries 2004-2022

    Prevalence of undernourishment in the total population in Northern Africa from 2004 to 2022, by country

  • Basic Statistic Undernourishment in Eastern African countries 2004-2022

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (29)

    Undernourishment in Eastern African countries 2004-2022

    Prevalence of undernourishment in the total population in Eastern Africa from 2004 to 2022, by country

  • Basic Statistic Undernourishment in Middle African countries 2004-2022

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (30)

    Undernourishment in Middle African countries 2004-2022

    Prevalence of undernourishment in the total population in Central Africa from 2004 to 2022, by country

  • Basic Statistic Undernourishment in Western African countries 2004-2022

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (31)

    Undernourishment in Western African countries 2004-2022

    Prevalence of undernourishment in the total population in Western Africa from 2004 to 2022, by country

  • Basic Statistic Undernourishment in Southern African countries 2004-2022

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (32)

    Undernourishment in Southern African countries 2004-2022

    Prevalence of undernourishment in the total population in Southern Africa from 2004 to 2022, by country

Access to water and electricity

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  • Premium Statistic Access to safely managed water in Africa 2020, by country
  • Premium Statistic Share of population with electricity access in Africa 2020, by region
  • Basic Statistic African population without electricity 2000-2021
  • Premium Statistic Access to the electric grid in Africa 2021-2023, by country
  • Premium Statistic Total consumer spending on housing, water and electricity in Africa 2014-2029

Access to water and electricity

  • Premium Statistic Access to safely managed water in Africa 2020, by country

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (33)

    Access to safely managed water in Africa 2020, by country

    Ranking of the population share having access to safely managed drinking water in Africa by country 2020

  • Premium Statistic Share of population with electricity access in Africa 2020, by region

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (34)

    Share of population with electricity access in Africa 2020, by region

    Share of population with electricity access in Africa as of 2020, by region

  • Basic Statistic African population without electricity 2000-2021

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (35)

    African population without electricity 2000-2021

    Population without access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa from 2000 to 2021 (in millions)

  • Premium Statistic Access to the electric grid in Africa 2021-2023, by country

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (36)

    Access to the electric grid in Africa 2021-2023, by country

    Access to the electric grid in Africa in 2021/2023, by country

  • Premium Statistic Total consumer spending on housing, water and electricity in Africa 2014-2029

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (37)

    Total consumer spending on housing, water and electricity in Africa 2014-2029

    Total consumer spending on housing, water and electricity in Africa from 2014 to 2029 (in million U.S. dollars)

Inequality

8
  • Premium Statistic Gini index in MENA 2020, by country
  • Premium Statistic Gini index in Africa 2020, by country
  • Premium Statistic Gini index in South Africa 2014-2029
  • Premium Statistic Gini index in Zambia 2014-2029
  • Premium Statistic Gini index in Mozambique 2014-2029
  • Premium Statistic Gender inequality index in Africa in 2021, by country
  • Basic Statistic Female child labor in Africa 2021, by age
  • Premium Statistic Africa wealth distribution 2021, by region

Inequality

  • Premium Statistic Gini index in MENA 2020, by country

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (38)

    Gini index in MENA 2020, by country

    Ranking of the Gini index in MENA by country 2020

  • Premium Statistic Gini index in Africa 2020, by country

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (39)

    Gini index in Africa 2020, by country

    Ranking of the Gini index in Africa by country 2020

  • Premium Statistic Gini index in South Africa 2014-2029

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (40)

    Gini index in South Africa 2014-2029

    Gini index in South Africa from 2014 to 2029

  • Premium Statistic Gini index in Zambia 2014-2029

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (41)

    Gini index in Zambia 2014-2029

    Gini index in Zambia from 2014 to 2029

  • Premium Statistic Gini index in Mozambique 2014-2029

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (42)

    Gini index in Mozambique 2014-2029

    Gini index in Mozambique from 2014 to 2029

  • Premium Statistic Gender inequality index in Africa in 2021, by country

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (43)

    Gender inequality index in Africa in 2021, by country

    Gender inequality index (GII) in Africa in 2021, by country

  • Basic Statistic Female child labor in Africa 2021, by age

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (44)

    Female child labor in Africa 2021, by age

    Percentage of working girls aged under 17 years in Africa as of 2021, by age

  • Premium Statistic Africa wealth distribution 2021, by region

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (45)

    Africa wealth distribution 2021, by region

    Distribution of wealth Africa in 2021, by region

Wealth

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  • Premium Statistic Private investable wealth in Africa 2011-2023
  • Basic Statistic Wealthiest countries in Africa 2021
  • Premium Statistic Wealth per capita in Africa 2021, by country
  • Premium Statistic Wealth growth in African countries 2011-2021
  • Premium Statistic Wealthiest cities in Africa 2021
  • Premium Statistic Number of millionaires in Africa 2011-2023
  • Premium Statistic African countries with the most millionaires 2023
  • Premium Statistic Number of millionaires and billionaires in Africa 2023
  • Basic Statistic Richest people in Africa 2023

Wealth

  • Premium Statistic Private investable wealth in Africa 2011-2023

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (46)

    Private investable wealth in Africa 2011-2023

    Total private investable wealth in Africa from 2011 to 2023 (in trillion U.S. dollars)

  • Basic Statistic Wealthiest countries in Africa 2021

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (47)

    Wealthiest countries in Africa 2021

    Total private wealth in Africa as of 2021, by country (in billion U.S. dollars)

  • Premium Statistic Wealth per capita in Africa 2021, by country

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (48)

    Wealth per capita in Africa 2021, by country

    Private wealth per capita in Africa as 2021, by country (in U.S. dollars)

  • Premium Statistic Wealth growth in African countries 2011-2021

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (49)

    Wealth growth in African countries 2011-2021

    Growth of total private wealth held in Africa between 2011 and 2021, by country

  • Premium Statistic Wealthiest cities in Africa 2021

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (50)

    Wealthiest cities in Africa 2021

    Total private wealth in major cities in Africa as of 2021 (in billion U.S. dollars)

  • Premium Statistic Number of millionaires in Africa 2011-2023

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (51)

    Number of millionaires in Africa 2011-2023

    Number of high net worth individuals (HNWIs) in Africa from 2011 to 2023 (in 1,000s)

  • Premium Statistic African countries with the most millionaires 2023

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (52)

    African countries with the most millionaires 2023

    Number of high net worth individuals (HNWIs) in Africa as of 2023, by country

  • Premium Statistic Number of millionaires and billionaires in Africa 2023

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (53)

    Number of millionaires and billionaires in Africa 2023

    Number of millionaires and billionaires in Africa as 2023, by wealth tier

  • Basic Statistic Richest people in Africa 2023

    Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (54)

    Richest people in Africa 2023

    Billionaires in Africa as of 2023 (net worth in billion U.S. dollars)

Topic: Poverty, inequality and wealth in Africa (2024)
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