The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were launched at the 2000 United Nations Millennium Summit to set measurable targets for reducing poverty, hunger, disease, gender inequality, illiteracy and environmental degradation by the year 2015. Since 2000, a series of four Global Monitoring Reports have been compiled by the UN, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other partners to assess the world's progress in meeting the MDGs by region and country. The most recent Global Monitoring Report, focusing on gender inequality and fragile states, depicts a story of promise but also one of struggle, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.

Sub-Saharan Africa's Slow Start

Despite an annual economic growth of 6% in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), poverty, child hunger, disease, and access to clean water and sanitation have remained low since 1990 and are only showing signs of slight improvement. As of the 2007 Global Monitoring Report, the region is not on track to reach any of the eight MDGs, even well-governed countries.

For example, extreme poverty (the proportion of the population living on less than $1 a day) fell only 4.7% in 5 years to 41% in 2005 (see figure below). Despite these reductions, rapid population growth has kept the number of people living in poverty relatively constant, with figures reaching 300 million in 2005 (The World Bank). Throughout sub-Saharan Africa, some countries are seeing worsening child nutrition and child mortality, while others have the lowest child primary school enrollment rates in the world. The status of HIV and malaria deaths is also harrowing.

Progress and Projections for MDG Target #1:
Halve the population living in extreme poverty by 2015

Encouragingly, the region has experienced success from the widespread vaccination of measles in children. The death rate for measles has dropped by 75% since 2000. In Eritrea, child mortality has halved since 1990 primarily due to Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) giving hope that some MDGs are within reach.

Fragile States Create Additional Challenges for SSA

Over one-half of the world's 35 "fragile states"--countries characterized by weak governments and institutions and often have conflict within their borders--are located in sub-Saharan Africa, exacerbating the challenge of reaching the MDGs in this region. According to the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, people living in fragile countries constitute only 9% of the world’s population but account for 27% of the world’s extreme poor, a third of child deaths and nearly a third of children not completing primary school. It is a concern that inefficiencies in governments and institutions leads to inefficiencies in development and in using aid.

Calls to Improve Governance

The large concern around the progress of fragile states and their weak governments spurred a series of conventions in order to produce strategies for improving government processes and the capability and transparency of institutions. It is hoped these improvements will provide for the more successful use of aid and in harnessing the benefits of economic growth. The World Bank held consultations from November 2006 to January 2007 with over 3,200 participants worldwide in efforts to establish a plan to improve governance and decrease corruption so aid may better be used to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development.

While sub-Saharan Africa's initial progress has been slow, those involved closely with the Millennium Development Goals express optimism in this region's ability to improve. Good governance and institutional capability must be at the forefront of an effective path to development. Donors must also fulfill their aid commitments to the region to reverse the decreases in aid received in recent years.

RELATED LINKS

Millennium Development Goals Indicators

Implementing the Millennium Declaration

Promoting Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa

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Environmental Governance and Institutions searchable database

Armed Conflict, Refugees, and the Environment

The World Summit of Sustainable Development: A Story of Many Summits