Female life expectancy in Sub-Saharan Africa lowest despite regional growth

By Nehal ElSherif

Sub-Saharan Africa had the lowest life expectancy for women since 1960, despite a growing economy and a decreasing poverty rate.

Data shows that life expectancy at birth for women was 58 years in 2013.

Data shows different regions on geographical and political divisions. The red shows the lowest age average and the dark green shows the highest. 

The United Nations said this week that there were significant developments in Sub-Saharan Africa, yet to improve further the region must address wide inequalities and provide better opportunities for women.

Sub-Saharan Africa has experienced the fastest annual growth rates in the Human Development Index (HDI) among all regions since 2000, though women still need better access to work, health and education.

“Africa is experiencing higher levels of wellbeing and economic growth. Now governments must focus on better working conditions to improve lives and livelihoods, supporting the creation of jobs to sustain people and communities, and providing preconditions for greater labour participation by women and young people,” said Abdoulaye Mar Dieye, Assistant Administrator and Director of UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Africa.

Botswana had the lowest age average in 2013 at 46.6. It was also the only state where the age decreased by 11 per cent when compared to 1960.

These numbers show that there are still many challenges in the region despite economic growth that reached 4.6 per cent in 2014, growing faster than Europe, Central Asia and Latin America. Also, the poverty rate in Africa fell from 56 per cent in 1990 to 43 per cent in 2012.

Data source: World Bank - there was no available data for around 15 countries including Greenland, this is why it is not available on the map. Other countries such as Israel, data for some years in between 1960 and 2013 were not available.