It is extremely low. Africa is the most impoverished continent on the face of the planet. The average African has scarce access to safe drinking water and most commonly lacks plumbing. "Informal housing" is the rule with electricity and safe transportation remaining luxuries. Even life style attributes taken for granted by the average Mexican or Russian are out of reach for many Africans. In terms of employment, many Africans are unemployed or employed in agriculture.

Sub-Saharan Africa in particular is one the world's poorest regions. According to the World Bank 74.9% of the population lived on less than $2 a day in 2003; 44% lived on less than $1 a day.