Basic Needs and Well-Being

Abstract

In this chapter we examine trends in well-being and concentrate on progress made in achieving greater prosperity since the time of independence. We focus on three domains of life considered to be universal drivers of well-being: health, education, and income. Good health may be considered a basic condition for human life; education and instruction are a means of adapting to and securing a livelihood in a given environment; and income and access to resources create opportunities to cover basic needs and gain power and prestige. We also examine further socio-political challenges for sub-Saharan Africa. Lastly, we review trends in subjective well-being: how people evaluate their own lives.