African social development index (ASDI): measuring human exclusion for structural transformation: North Africa report

Abstract

The African Social Development Index (ASDI) is built on the important premise that development should be reflected in improved human conditions. By adopting a life-cycle approach, the ASDI measures the extent of human exclusion in six key dimensions of well-being, including survival, health, education, employment, and means of subsistence and living a decent life after 60. One of the key features of the index is that it can be measured across time and disaggregated by gender and geographical location, thus helping to capture patterns of inequality and exclusion within and between countries. As such, the ASDI offers a new conceptual framework for identifying the drivers of human exclusion in Africa and linking them to better policies in nutrition, education, employment and social protection. As a monitoring and policy tool, the index should help member States devise more inclusive social policies, and guide them in the implementation of Agenda 2063 and Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, both of which place a high premium on inclusiveness as a driver of sustainable and equitable development.