This paper examines the relationship between disability and poverty among working-age adults in Africa, using nationally representative household surveys from 27 countries that include the Washington Group Short Set of Questions on Functioning.
The paper provides the most comprehensive cross-country analysis of disability in Africa to date, documenting disability prevalence, sociodemographic patterns, and the association between disability and poverty at both national and regional levels.
Key findings
Results show that disability is more common among women, rural residents, and older adults, and is closely linked with poverty. 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.
Weighted probit regressions demonstrate a robust association between disability and an elevated risk of both asset poverty and multidimensional poverty in most countries, even after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics.
These findings underscore the imperative to systematically mainstream disability inclusion into national poverty reduction strategies and directly address the needs of persons with disabilities through targeted interventions.
Disclaimer: The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations or its officials or Member States. The designations employed and the presentation of material on any map in this work do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city, or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers and boundaries. This paper has not been formally edited.