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Water Poverty in Africa: A Review and Synthesis of Issues, Potentials, and Policy Implications

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  • Hatem Jemmali

    (University of Tunis El-Manar)

Abstract

This study details an application of an improved Water Poverty Index (iWPI) to investigate and assess state of water resources in 53 African countries for the period 2000–2012 with a special focus on an international comparison of water poverty among northern and sub-Saharan countries. A multi-faceted approach that combines physical estimates of water availability with socio-economic drivers of poverty and environmental factors, has been used to do such comparison. It is with this in mind that the iWPI was developed based on the theoretical foundations and recent development of the water poverty approach. This would permit an inclusive comprehension of the crosscutting nature of water issues and their impacts on human wellbeing and environment. The results highlight an obvious dissimilarity of water poverty situation between more developed, but water-poor countries located principally in North Africa with that of lower-income and water-rich countries in sub-Saharan region. This can be used to inform policy makers, governments, donors and other stakeholders to assist in prioritization of appropriate policies to be taken towards better service delivery and sustainable water management across space and time.

Suggested Citation

  • Hatem Jemmali, 2018. "Water Poverty in Africa: A Review and Synthesis of Issues, Potentials, and Policy Implications," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 136(1), pages 335-358, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:136:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1007_s11205-016-1521-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-016-1521-0
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Water poverty; Improved Water Poverty Index; Multivariate analysis; North Africa; Sub-Saharan Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C43 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics - - - Index Numbers and Aggregation
    • Q25 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Water
    • P28 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - Natural Resources; Environment

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