University of Cape Town

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered the greatest economic crisis in decades, with the manufacturing and transport industries among the sectors most impacted by the global restriction of movement of people and goods.

​ Unemployment and underemployment are persistent issues in sub-Saharan Africa, where informal employment represents 85% of total employment. ​

Inequality stunts macroeconomic growth and sustains high levels of poverty yet there is a troubling paucity of data on the topic across the African continent.

Unsustainable production and consumption is driving climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution – and it shows no sign of abating.

More than two-thirds of the world’s population will be living in cities by 2050, compared with just over half today.

Oceans are crucial for human health and wellbeing. They provide inspiration, education and identity while regulating climate and air quality.

Humans are part of the natural world and healthy, biodiverse ecosystems are essential to sustaining our lives. Yet, land degradation, habitat fragmentation and climate change have led to their widespread destruction.

Climate change continues unabated and is affecting every country on every continent.

Around the world, millions of people live in fragile, conflict-affected areas. At the end of 2019, some 1% of the global population had been forcibly displaced.