This archive report was first published on 16 July 2020.
COVID-19 has brought unprecedented economic hardship to millions of Africans, with low-income earners in the informal sector bearing the brunt of the crisis.
According to a recent survey by GeoPoll, which polled 2,500 respondents across five sub-Saharan African countries, 60 percent of those employed before the pandemic have been unable to work due to the outbreak, with nearly half unsure if they will have jobs to return to.
The survey, conducted remotely via SMS from June to July 2020, found that four out of five respondents reported a decrease in income during the pandemic, with those in informal jobs, particularly in trade and agriculture, experiencing the most widespread and significant falls in earnings.
While 60 percent of formal sector workers reported income falls, a staggering 88 percent of informal sector workers reported reduced earnings. This is particularly concerning given that the International Labour Organisation estimates that the informal sector accounts for over 80 percent of the workforce in sub-Saharan Africa.
"The closure of borders, restrictions on movements, and suspended education and hospitality sectors have wrought financial havoc across the African nations studied, with those in informal employment being hardest hit," said Roxana Elliott, VP Marketing & Content, GeoPoll.
As the pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the economy, many Africans are struggling to make ends meet. Just 6 percent of respondents reported having sufficient funds to cover their household expenses for more than five months, with most relying on credit or savings to get by.
Despite the harsh economic effects being felt, a majority in the nations studied believe their governments should prioritize protecting people from the virus, rather than focus on reopening economies. However, those whose income has decreased significantly were more likely to favor reopening economies.
