The Human Cost of Public Cuts in Africa

The research from ActionAid International, The Human Cost of Public Sector Cuts in Africa, exposes how austerity measures over the past five years have devastated public health and education services across Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, and Nigeria. Based on surveys and focus group discussions with more than 600 health workers, teachers, and community members in rural and urban locations, the study reveals a sharp decline in the quality and availability of services. Frontline staff are facing overwhelming workloads with fewer resources, while communities are deprived of essential care and education due to high costs and poor quality.

Key findings include:

• Teachers across Africa are buckling under the weight of austerity, losing up to half of their income over five years.
• Nearly all health workers (97%) reported that their wages are insufficient to cover food, electricity, and household expenses.
• 87% of teachers said classrooms lack basic materials, with three-quarters paying for supplies out of their own pockets.

The report paints a bleak picture of failing public systems – especially for women and girls. By combining powerful case studies and striking statistics, it grounds austerity into the real experiences of workers and communities, while connecting these local realities to the global systems that shape economic policy, to call for urgent investment in health and education to protect rights and dignity across Africa.