Poverty gap at $3.00 a day (2021 PPP) in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa: Poverty gap at $3.00 a day (2021 PPP) was 17.2% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Poverty gap at $3.00 a day (2021 PPP) in Sub-Saharan Africa, 1990–2024
Source: World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ. Measured in %.
Analysis
Sub-Saharan Africa recorded 17.2% for poverty gap at $3.00 a day (2021 ppp) in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.1% on the previous year and down 2.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, poverty gap at $3.00 a day (2021 ppp) in Sub-Saharan Africa peaked at 32.4% in 1994 and was at its lowest, 17.1%, in 2018.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 35 years of available data.
Poverty gap at $3.00 a day (2021 PPP) in Sub-Saharan Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 29.7% | — |
| 1991 | 30.9% | +4.0% |
| 1992 | 31.9% | +3.2% |
| 1993 | 32.1% | +0.6% |
| 1994 | 32.4% | +0.9% |
| 1995 | 32.1% | -0.9% |
| 1996 | 31.5% | -1.9% |
| 1997 | 31.2% | -1.0% |
| 1998 | 31.0% | -0.6% |
| 1999 | 30.5% | -1.6% |
| 2000 | 30.1% | -1.3% |
| 2001 | 29.0% | -3.7% |
| 2002 | 28.3% | -2.4% |
| 2003 | 27.4% | -3.2% |
| 2004 | 25.6% | -6.6% |
| 2005 | 24.5% | -4.3% |
| 2006 | 23.7% | -3.3% |
| 2007 | 22.6% | -4.6% |
| 2008 | 21.6% | -4.4% |
| 2009 | 21.4% | -0.9% |
| 2010 | 20.0% | -6.5% |
| 2011 | 19.4% | -3.0% |
| 2012 | 18.5% | -4.6% |
| 2013 | 17.9% | -3.2% |
| 2014 | 17.6% | -1.7% |
| 2015 | 17.6% | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 17.6% | +0.0% |
| 2017 | 17.4% | -1.1% |
| 2018 | 17.1% | -1.7% |
| 2019 | 17.1% | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 18.1% | +5.8% |
| 2021 | 18.0% | -0.6% |
| 2022 | 17.6% | -2.2% |
| 2023 | 17.4% | -1.1% |
| 2024 | 17.2% | -1.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 31.3% | 29.7% | 32.4% | 10 |
| 2000s | 25.4% | 21.4% | 30.1% | 10 |
| 2010s | 18.0% | 17.1% | 20.0% | 10 |
| 2020s | 17.7% | 17.2% | 18.1% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Sub-Saharan Africa
- 1 Mozambique 44.7% compare
- 2 Zambia 39.8% compare
- 3 Malawi 33.8% compare
- 4 Burundi 32.4% compare
- 5 Madagascar 27.6% compare
More poverty & inequality data for Sub-Saharan Africa
- Poverty headcount ratio at $3.00 a day (2021 PPP) 45.1% (2024)
- Poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 PPP) 63.3% (2024)
- Poverty headcount ratio at $8.30 a day (2021 PPP) 88.6% (2024)
- Prosperity gap 11.5 average shortfall from a prosperity standard of $28/day (2024)
- Poverty gap at $4.20 a day (2021 PPP) 27.9% (2024)
- Poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line 48.3% (2024)
- Poverty gap at $8.30 a day (2021 PPP) 53.2% (2024)
- Population living in slums 53.7% (2022)
- Proportion of population below international poverty line 45.2% (2024)
- Employed population below international poverty line, by sex and age 40.1% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is poverty gap at $3.00 a day (2021 ppp) in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Poverty gap at $3.00 a day (2021 ppp) in Sub-Saharan Africa was 17.2% in 2024, according to World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ.
- What is the highest poverty gap at $3.00 a day (2021 ppp) recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 32.4% in 1994.
- What is the lowest poverty gap at $3.00 a day (2021 ppp) recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 17.1% in 2018.
- How does Sub-Saharan Africa rank for poverty gap at $3.00 a day (2021 ppp)?
- Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 2nd out of 14 groups with data for 2024.
- Is poverty gap at $3.00 a day (2021 ppp) rising or falling in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 2.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Sub-Saharan Africa data come from?
- The figures come from World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ, published as part of Poverty gap at $3.00 a day (2021 PPP) (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Poverty gap at $3.00 a day (2021 PPP) is the mean shortfall in income or consumption from the poverty line $3.00 a day (counting the nonpoor as having zero shortfall), expressed as a percentage of the poverty line. This measure reflects the depth of poverty as well as its incidence.