- COVID-19 has reversed the fortunes of many economies around the world.
- IMF revised its 2020 global economic growth forecast to -4.9% on account of foreseen economic disruptions around the world.
- Economic disruptions are expected to affect the tourism and travel industry, manufacturing output, trade activities as well as dampen demand for goods in general.
Financial inclusion means that individuals and businesses have access to useful and affordable financial products and services that meet their needs – transactions, payments, savings, credit and insurance – delivered in a responsible and sustainable way.
The 2015 Finscope Report indicates that financial inclusion is significantly skewed towards urban areas at 70.3% of adults financially included, compared to rural areas that experience lower levels of financial inclusion at 50.2%.
Women’s economic participation and opportunity is one of the four areas within the Gender Gap Index that measures the levels of inequality between men and women. Women’s economic participation and opportunity gap remains the headline gender disparity as it is expected to be the second-slowest gap with 41.9% which remains to be closed. This is way above the average gender gap that stands at 32%. The current gap is evident that more needs to be done to enhance women’s economic participation and opportunity.
Disability prevalence statistics in Zambia vary among the World Health Organization (WHO), 2010 Census of Population and the National Disability Survey. WHO estimates indicate that 1.3 million persons in Zambia have some form of disability representing 10% of the entire population. On the other hand, the 2010 Census of Population and Housing indicates that 2% of the country’s population is disabled and 0.4% are children under the age of 14 years (CSO, 2012). The 2015 National Disability Survey gives a more comprehensive prevalence profile of disability. The survey estimates that 7.7% of the population is disabled, 10.9% are adults 18 years and above and 4.4% are children aged between 2 and 17 years. The report further indicates that data on the cause of disabilities among children as reported; 40% being as a result of birth or congenital effects and 31% due to disease/illness.