Equatorial Guinea Reports Significant Reduction in Poverty and Improvements in Health

MALABO, Equatorial Guinea, Sept. 28, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Government of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea released its 2015 National Report on the establishment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In the fifteen years since signing the Millennium Declaration along with 189 countries, Equatorial Guinea has seen great improvement in poverty reduction and healthcare development due largely to the Government's efforts.

There has been a continuous improvement in the population's living conditions. The proportion of the population living under the poverty line has dropped from 76.8% in 2006 to 43.7% in 2011 (Source: EDSGE, 2011), resulting in a reduction of 33.1 percentage points. At this rate, the percentage of the population living on less than 2 US dollars a day in Equatorial Guinea is estimated to be 17.38% by the end of 2015, far exceeding their MGD targets.

The Report also details Government focus on access to adequate healthcare through targeted policies to combat maternal and infant mortality. By providing free access to treatment, the rate of maternal mortality was significantly reduced from 1,600 out of 100,000 live births in 1990 to 290 out of 100,000 live births in 2013. This reduction of 81% exceeded the target set for 2015 of 400 out of 100,000 live births.

Mortality for children under the age of five has declined by 38%, from 182 per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 113 per 1,000 live births. In addition, prenatal coverage increased from 61% in 2008 to 91% in 2011, 10 points above the world average of 81%.

Equatorial Guinea now has the highest literacy rate in Africa, which increased from 88.7% to 95.7%. The country built more than 40 new primary schools, increasing the number from 813 to 857. Increased spending on infrastructure was highlighted as well, with the construction of the national network of roads, increasing mobility and accessibility across the country and making it the largest network among neighboring countries. The current population in Equatorial Guinea is 1,222,442.

The 2015 Report is the third such assessment as part of a joint effort between Equatorial Guinea and the United Nations to provide a current overview of the progress made under MDGs in the country.

About Equatorial Guinea
The Republic of Equatorial Guinea (República de Guinea Ecuatorial) is the only Spanish-speaking country in Africa, and one of the smallest nations on the continent. In the late-1990s, American companies helped discover the country's oil and natural gas resources, which only within the last five years began contributing to the global energy supply. Equatorial Guinea is now working to serve as a pillar of stability and security in its region of West Central Africa. The country hosted the 2011 Summit of the African Union. For more information, visit http://www.guineaecuatorialpress.com.

SOURCE Republic of Equatorial Guinea