Africa: demographic, environmental and agricultural indicators, year 2000

Abstract

In 2000, African population is estimated to reach over 784 millions. This number, compared to that of 1995, represents an annual growth of 2.4 % during the period 1995-2000. Along with the slightly downward trend1 in population growth, the economy of the region performed quite well with some signs of improvement. In 1998, Africa recorded a sustained growth rate of its economy of 3.3% as compared to 2.9% in 1997 and 4.0% in 1996. The agricultural sector accounted for 19.4% of the total output in 1997 as compared to 22.3% of 1980, but recorded a consecutive growth of 1.7 and 3.5% respectively in 1997 and 1998 .Despite all these encouraging figures, there has been little progress in improving the average living standards of the population. Some 80% of low-human development countries -with high population growth rate, low income, low literacy and low life expectancy- are in Africa.