Despite the prevailing recession Nigeria is still seen as Africa’s largest economy and one of the fastest-growing in the world. Yet, more than half of the Nigerian population still grapples with extreme poverty, while a small group of elites enjoys ever-growing wealth.

The ability of Sub-Saharan Africa’s economies to generate enough jobs for its young and growing population rests on the successful implementation of urgent reforms to boost productivity. This is the key finding of the Africa Competitiveness Report 2017.

The 2016 South Africa Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS 2016) is the third DHS survey to be conducted in South Africa in collaboration with the worldwide Demographic and Health Survey Program.

Between 2015 and 2050, Africa’s youth will almost double, from 230 to 452 million. The fastest growing African economies have not created enough jobs for youth. In 2015, 60% of Africans were under 25 years old. In 2016, the average age of African presidents is 66, while the average median age of the continent’s population is 20.