Mapping changes in housing in sub-Saharan Africa from 2000 to 2015

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Urban Planning
• Sustainable Development

Background:

• Adequate housing is a fundamental human right and a key United Nations Sustainable Development Goal.
• Africa faces the most acute housing needs, with its population projected to double by 2050.
• Existing housing data in Africa is sparse, primarily urban-focused, and often at the national level.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify changes in housing conditions in sub-Saharan Africa between 2000 and 2015.
• To provide high-resolution, standardized estimates of housing quality across urban and rural areas.
• To establish a baseline for monitoring progress and guiding housing interventions.

Main Methods:

• Combination of national survey data within a geostatistical framework.
• Quantification of housing improvements, including water, sanitation, living area, and construction materials.
• Development of standardized, high-resolution maps of housing conditions.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of improved housing in sub-Saharan Africa doubled from 11% to 23% between 2000 and 2015.
• Despite improvements, 53 million urban Africans (47%) lived in unimproved housing in 2015.
• Significant transformation in housing quality observed across both urban and rural areas.

Conclusions:

• Marked progress in housing quality in sub-Saharan Africa, but substantial challenges remain, particularly in urban centers.
• The study provides crucial data for understanding housing dynamics and informing policy.
• Maps serve as a vital tool for interventions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.