Economic Hardship Persists Across Africa Despite Signs Of Recovery – Afrobarometer
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
Most Africans continue to face severe economic hardship despite recent signs of improvement in economic conditions, according to a new Afrobarometer report covering 38 African countries.
The report, based on interviews with more than 50,000 citizens across the continent, found that 59 per cent of Africans rate their country’s economy as “fairly bad” or “very bad”, while nearly half describe their personal living conditions in similar terms.
Citizens also expressed overwhelming dissatisfaction with their governments’ handling of key economic issues.
More than eight in 10 respondents said their governments were performing poorly in keeping prices stable, while large majorities criticised efforts to create jobs, reduce inequality and improve the living standards of the poor.
Unemployment emerged as one of the most pressing concerns, ranking second only to health among issues citizens want governments to address.
The rising cost of living was also identified as a major challenge.
The survey further revealed widespread deprivation, with many households reporting that they had gone without cash income, medical care, food, clean water or cooking fuel at least once in the previous year.
Nearly eight in 10 respondents said they lacked cash income during that period.
Despite the grim findings, Afrobarometer noted a modest improvement in public perceptions of government economic performance and national economic conditions compared to the peak COVID-19 years, suggesting early signs of recovery across parts of the continent.
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