Survivors of Africa’s Non-Monetary Great Depression — Poverty Recycling Across Generations
Survivors of the Non-Monetary Great Depression: Recycling Poverty Into the Next Generation in Africa
Thinking about the future of Africa
Non-Monetary Poverty: More Than Money
Africa’s poverty story is complex. Seven of the ten most unequal countries in the world are in Africa, most of them in the south. Population growth means millions more people are both monetary and non-monetary poor. Many essential aspects of well-being — literacy, health, safety, dignity — cannot be priced in dollars.
Non-monetary poverty includes illiteracy, low life expectancy, and insecurity. Even where incomes rise, people may still lack safety, quality schooling, and healthcare.
Education and Literacy
Education expands people’s capabilities. Yet over two in five African adults are still illiterate. Literacy rates have improved by about four percentage points since 1995, and the gender gap is shrinking. But more than half the population is illiterate in seven countries, including Niger (15%) and Guinea (25%). In contrast, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa exceed 90% literacy, and countries such as Eritrea and Zimbabwe surpass 70% despite poverty.
Quality remains low even where enrollment has improved. Many children — especially girls and those in rural or conflict zones — finish school barely able to read. Learn more about cultural barriers to opportunity and how they impact education.
Health and Life Expectancy
Life expectancy reflects access to healthcare, nutrition, and safety. Newborns in Africa can expect to live about six years longer today than in the 1990s, and chronic malnutrition in children under five has dropped to 39%. Still, the region’s average life expectancy is only 57 years, far below the global average of 70.9.
Children born to undernourished mothers in poor rural households are 20% more likely to be stunted — an effect that limits future education and earnings.
Freedom From Violence and Security
The ability to live without fear shapes survival and dignity. After decades of civil wars and political upheaval, violence and insecurity still affect daily life. Armed insurgencies persist in parts of Mali, Nigeria, Somalia, and the Gulf of Guinea is now a piracy hotspot. Roughly 27% of Africans live with ongoing threats of conflict, terrorism, or post-traumatic stress.
Insecurity limits personal freedoms, from voting to safe travel. It also worsens poverty by discouraging investment, schooling, and healthcare access. Explore how land rights and safety intersect to shape opportunity.
As of 2024, at least 15 African countries face war or active terrorism. About 44 million people live with daily threats to safety and displacement.
The Way Forward
Africa’s future hinges on tackling education inequality, health gaps, and security challenges alongside economic growth. Leaders and organizations emphasize that women’s education is key. Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo stated: “Africa’s future is in the hands of women. Equal education for girls, at all levels, is the critical issue.”
More than 600 million Africans still lack electricity, and by 2050 one in four people on Earth will be African. Without major investment in human development — not just income — poverty will continue recycling into the next generation.
