Progress Toward the Millennium Development Goals in Africa

Abstract

We analyze demographic and health surveys to examine the progress of African countries in achieving six of the seven millennium development goals (MDG) set forth by the United Nations. Our results paint a discouraging picture. Despite some noteworthy progress, the evidence suggests that, in the absence of dramatic changes in the rates of improvement in most measures of living standards, the MDG will not be reached for most indicators in most countries. The results are particularly sobering for rural areas, where living standards are universally lower, and where rates of progress lag behind urban areas.