Six in 10 Africans Experience Moderate or High Levels of Lived Poverty, Survey Finds

November 5, 2026 | By Semahegn Nigatu

About six in 10 people across 38 African countries experience moderate or high levels of lived poverty, with shortages of basic necessities including income, food, clean water and medical care remaining widespread, according to a new Afrobarometer report.

The latest Pan-Africa Profile, based on nationally representative surveys conducted in 2024 and 2025, found that the average rate of moderate or high lived poverty stood at 60 percent. The proportion varied considerably between countries, ranging from seven percent in Seychelles to 86 percent in Chad.

The findings indicate that poverty has not improved in the latest survey round after rising steadily between 2014 and 2023. Across 30 countries surveyed in both 2014/2015 and 2024/2025, the share of citizens experiencing moderate or high lived poverty increased by 13 percentage points, from 47 percent to 60 percent.

Shortages of income were the most widespread form of deprivation. On average, 79 percent of respondents said they or a family member had gone without cash income at least once during the preceding year, including 43 percent who experienced the shortage many times or always.

The survey also found that 65 percent had gone without needed medicines or medical care, while 58 percent experienced food shortages. More than half reported going without clean water and cooking fuel, at 57 percent and 52 percent, respectively.

With many households struggling to meet basic needs, respondents reported relying on informal support networks. Almost half, or 47 percent, said they had sought financial assistance from family members during the previous year. Another 33 percent turned to friends or neighbours, while 12 percent sought help from religious, community or charitable organisations.

The report also linked lived poverty to difficulties accessing essential public services. Citizens experiencing the highest levels of poverty were roughly twice as likely as wealthier respondents to report difficulty obtaining health care, government identification documents and police assistance.

Financial inclusion also varied significantly across income levels. Only 40 percent of the poorest respondents said they owned a bank account, compared with 83 percent among the wealthiest. Mobile money ownership, however, was relatively consistent, standing at 69 percent among the poorest and 71 percent among the wealthiest.

Afrobarometer said its Round 10 surveys covered 38 countries, with face-to-face interviews conducted in respondents' preferred languages. The network has completed 10 survey rounds across up to 45 African countries since 1999.

Source: FSX Business News