World Bank2013-02-142013-02-142008978-0-8213-7283-8https://hdl.handle.net/10986/12363The Africa Development Indicators 2007 essay explores the patterns of growth in Sub- Saharan Africa over the past three decades. It finds that the volatility of growth-an outcome of conflict, governance, and world commodity prices-has been greater than in any other region. Volatility has dampened expectations and investments-and has obscured some periods of good performance for some countries. The essay shows that pickups in growth were seldom sustained- indeed, that they were often followed by ferocious declines, and hence, Africa's flat economic performance over 1975-2005. The essay shows that avoiding economic declines is as important as promoting growth. Indeed, it may be more important for the poor, who gain less during the growth pickups and suffer more during the declines. The essay discusses a key question for economic policymakers in Africa: how best to sustain pickups in growth and its benefits. The Africa Development Indicators suite of products is designed to provide all those interested in Africa with a set of indicators to monitor development outcomes in the region and is an important reference tool for those who want a better understanding of the economic and social developments occurring in Africa.en-USCC BY 3.0 IGOaccountabilityAdult literacyAgricultureAnnual changeannual growthanticorruptionarmed conflictAverage growthaverage incomesBenchmarkingbudget deficitsBuilding skillsBusiness environmentcapital accumulationcapital investmentCDchild mortalitycommon propertycommon property resourcescommunication technologycomparative advantagecompetition policycompetitive exchangecompetitive exchange ratecompetitivenessConsumer price indexcontract enforcementcountry casecrimeCrisesdebtdebt reliefDependency ratiodeveloping countriesdeveloping regionsdevelopment assistanceDevelopment EconomicsDevelopment Indicatorsdevelopment policiesDevelopment Reportdiseasesdisseminationdomestic savingsEconomic Activityeconomic conditionseconomic growtheconomic instabilityEconomic Outlookeconomic performanceeconomic policyempirical evidenceenvironmentalenvironmental sustainabilityepidemicexchange rateexchange ratesexport growthexportsextreme povertyfarmsfertilityfinancial commitmentsFinancial sectorfisheriesforeign direct investmentfuture growthGDPGDP deflatorGDP per capitagender equalityGender parityGini coefficientGlobal Developmentglobal economyglobal marketsgovernance indicatorsGovernment effectivenessGross domestic productGross domestic product deflatorGross domestic product growthGross domestic product per capitaGross fixed capital formationGross national incomeGross national savingsgrowth performancegrowth prospectsgrowth rateshealth insuranceHealth outcomeshigh growthhigh population growthhigh volatilityHIVHousehold welfarehuman capitalHuman developmentImprovements in managementImproving infrastructureindividual countriesinequitiesInfantInfant mortalityinfant mortality rateinfrastructure investmentinstitutional capacityInternational tradeInvestment climateLabor forcelabor marketLabor productivityland productivitylandlocked countrieslegal statuslife expectancylive birthslong-run growthlong-term growthlow-income countriesmacroeconomic instabilitymacroeconomic managementmalariamaternal healthmean GrowthmeaslesmetalsmigrationMillennium Development GoalMillennium Development GoalsMonetary Economicsmortality levelsnational accountsnational developmentnational incomeNational policiesnatural disastersnatural resourcesOfficial development assistanceoiloil exportersoutput growthper capita growthper capita incomePer capita incomespolicy reformspolitical instabilityPolitical stabilitypoor countriespoor growthpoor healthpoor peoplepopulous countriesPoverty ReductionPoverty Reduction Strategypresent valueprimary schoolPrivate sector developmentproducersproduction costsproductivityProductivity growthprogresspromoting growthproperty rightspublic institutionspublic policypurchasing powerpurchasing power parityreal GDPRegulatory qualityremittancesrich countriesricher countriesRule of lawrural areasrural developmentrural povertysanitationsavingssecondary educationsecondary enrollmentsecondary enrollment ratessecondary schoolsecondary schoolssocial outcomesspread of AIDSStructural Changestructural characteristicsStructural policiestariff barriersTelecommunicationsTelephonestemporary migrationTerms of tradetertiary educationtotal coststotal factor productivitytrade blocstrade policytransaction costsTransportationtreatiestuberculosisunionsuniversal primary educationurban areasvalue addedvulnerabilitywageswarswater managementwater resourcesWorld Bank10.1596/978-0-8213-7283-8