Poverty and disability: Evidence from Africa – UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

Report on Disability, Poverty, and Sustainable Development Goals in Africa

Introduction

A comprehensive analysis based on nationally representative household surveys from 27 African countries examines the relationship between disability and poverty among working-age adults. This report contextualizes the findings within the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, emphasizing the imperative to “Leave No One Behind.” The study utilizes the Washington Group Short Set of Questions on Functioning to provide a cross-country analysis of disability prevalence and its socioeconomic implications, directly informing strategies to achieve multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Key Findings and Sociodemographic Patterns

The research documents a significant correlation between disability and key sociodemographic factors, revealing patterns of inequality that challenge the achievement of the SDGs. The prevalence of disability is disproportionately higher among specific population groups:

• Gender: 3.6% among women compared to 2.3% among men.
• Geography: 3.4% in rural areas versus 2.6% in urban areas.
• Age: 4.4% among adults aged 34–49 compared to 2.3% among those aged 18–33.

Analysis of Disability and Poverty in Relation to SDGs

Weighted probit regressions confirm a robust association between disability and an increased risk of poverty, even after controlling for sociodemographic characteristics. This linkage has direct implications for several SDGs.

1. SDG 1 (No Poverty): The study demonstrates a clear link between disability and an elevated risk of both asset poverty and multidimensional poverty, underscoring that poverty eradication strategies must be disability-inclusive to be effective.
2. SDG 5 (Gender Equality): The higher prevalence of disability among women highlights a critical intersection of gender and disability, indicating that women with disabilities face compounded disadvantages, a key concern for achieving gender equality.
3. SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): The disparities in disability prevalence between rural and urban populations, as well as across age groups, point to systemic inequalities. Addressing the specific needs of persons with disabilities is fundamental to reducing overall inequality within and among countries.

Recommendations for Achieving the 2030 Agenda

The findings underscore the urgent need for policy interventions that align with the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals. To accelerate progress, it is imperative to:

• Systematically mainstream disability inclusion into all national poverty reduction strategies, directly supporting the objectives of SDG 1.
• Develop and implement targeted interventions that directly address the unique needs of persons with disabilities, contributing to SDG 10.
• Ensure that policies account for the intersecting vulnerabilities related to gender, age, and location to advance SDG 5 and promote equitable development for all.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article primarily addresses the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by focusing on the intersection of disability, poverty, and inequality in Africa:

   • SDG 1: No Poverty: The core of the article is the examination of the “relationship between disability and poverty.” It explicitly mentions “asset poverty,” “multidimensional poverty,” and the need for “poverty reduction strategies,” directly aligning with the goal of eradicating poverty in all its forms.
   • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The article highlights significant inequalities experienced by persons with disabilities. It also points to intersecting inequalities based on gender (“disability is more common among women”), location (“3.4% in rural areas versus 2.6% in urban areas”), and age (“4.4% among adults aged 34–49 compared to 2.3% among those aged 18–33”). The call to “mainstream disability inclusion” is a direct response to reducing these inequalities.
   • SDG 5: Gender Equality: The finding that disability prevalence is significantly higher among women (“3.6% among women compared to 2.3% among men”) connects the issue directly to gender disparities. This suggests that women face a compounded vulnerability, linking the article’s themes to the goal of achieving gender equality.
   • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: By focusing its study on “working-age adults,” the article implicitly connects disability and poverty to issues of employment and economic participation. The higher poverty risk for this demographic suggests they face barriers to securing decent work and achieving economic self-sufficiency.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the issues discussed, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

   • Target 1.2: “By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.” The article’s focus on “multidimensional poverty” and its link to disability directly relates to this target.
   • Target 1.3: “Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all… and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.” The article’s recommendation to “directly address the needs of persons with disabilities through targeted interventions” aligns with the implementation of social protection systems for vulnerable groups.
   • Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.” The central conclusion of the article, which underscores the “imperative to systematically mainstream disability inclusion into national poverty reduction strategies,” is a direct call to action for this target.
   • Target 8.5: “By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities…” The study’s focus on “working-age adults” with disabilities and their elevated risk of poverty implies a failure to achieve this target, highlighting the need for inclusive employment policies.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   Yes, the article mentions and implies several key indicators for measuring progress:

   • Disability prevalence rates, disaggregated by key demographics: The article provides specific data points that serve as indicators, such as “prevalence is 3.6% among women compared to 2.3% among men, 3.4% in rural areas versus 2.6% in urban areas and 4.4% among adults aged 34–49 compared to 2.3% among those aged 18–33.” This disaggregated data is crucial for monitoring Target 10.2. The article also specifies the data collection tool, the “Washington Group Short Set of Questions on Functioning,” which is a methodological indicator.
   • Proportion of the population living in poverty, by disability status: The article’s main finding of a “robust association between disability and an elevated risk of both asset poverty and multidimensional poverty” implies the use of this indicator. Measuring the poverty gap between people with and without disabilities is a direct way to track progress on Targets 1.2 and 10.2.
   • Rates of multidimensional poverty: The explicit mention of “multidimensional poverty” points to indicators that measure deprivation across various dimensions beyond just income, which is central to monitoring Target 1.2.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators (Mentioned or Implied in the Article)
   SDG 1: No Poverty	1.2: Reduce poverty in all its dimensions. 1.3: Implement social protection systems for the poor and vulnerable.	– Proportion of the population living in “asset poverty,” disaggregated by disability status. – Proportion of the population living in “multidimensional poverty,” disaggregated by disability status.
   SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities	10.2: Empower and promote the social and economic inclusion of all, irrespective of disability.	– Disability prevalence rates, disaggregated by sex (women vs. men), location (rural vs. urban), and age group. – Measurement of poverty risk associated with disability status.
   SDG 5: Gender Equality	5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.	– Disability prevalence rates disaggregated by gender (3.6% among women vs. 2.3% among men).
   SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth	8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for persons with disabilities.	– Poverty rates among “working-age adults” with disabilities (as an inverse indicator of economic inclusion and decent work).

Source: unctad.org