Fertility, growth and the future of aid in sub-Saharan Africa

Rapid population growth lies at the root of sub-Saharan Africa’s inability to reduce poverty.

Sub-Saharan Africa continues to experience very rapid population growth and is thus likely to remain poor. Aid should support government efforts to reduce high fertility rates that will, in time, allow citizens to benefit from inclusive economic growth, and reduce poverty. The first part of this report gives an overview of aid trends and characteristics in Africa. It then presents four scenarios on future levels of aid with a time horizon to 2030.

About the author

Jakkie Cilliers is the founder of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS). After stepping down as executive director in 2015 he now serves as the chairman of the Board of Trustees and head of the African Futures and Innovation programme at the Pretoria office of the ISS.

Picture: Rikka Tupaz/IOM