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Brookings Data Now: Statistics on Africa

In this edition of Brookings Data Now: focusing on Africa in anticipation of the upcoming U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit. The poverty rate in Africa is high but expected to fall; many are infected with HIV; Africa is experiencing rapid growth; the stock of FDI in sub-Saharan Africa increases; China is a growing contributor to African aid projects.

400 million

Africans who live in extreme poverty

Despite this, the poverty rate in Africa is projected to fall to 42.3 percent in 2015 from the estimated 56.5 percent in 1990.

200 million

Africans are afflicted with HIV

However, the prevalence rates of HIV have dropped from 5.9 percent in 2001 to 4.9 percent in 2011.

5.6%

The growth rate of Africa in 2013, making it the fastest growing continent

Contributing to this growth are 17 countries in Africa that have experienced a level of economic growth over 3 percent per capita since 1996.

$132.8 billion

The stock of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in sub-Saharan Africa from the EU, China, Japan and the U.S.

Increasing five times between 2001 and 2012, the stock of FDI in the region grew largely in part due to China whose FDI grew at an annual rate of 53 percent.

51.8%

The share of China’s foreign aid received by Africa in 2012

In addition to the growing share of Chinese aid received by Africa, China has also committed itself to other aid projects across the continent, including 86 economic infrastructure projects and the creation of 30 hospitals.


To learn more about that Brookings experts are saying about the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, visit the pages below:


Africa in Focus: The U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Series


The U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Topic Page


Elina Saxena contributed to this post.