Shadow of the sun: the distribution of wellbeing in sub-Saharan Africa

Out of necessity this chapter offers a fairly general depiction and description of certain aspects of quality of life in sub-Saharan Africa. The tremendous socio-economic, political, geographic and cultural diversity characterizing the region, taken together with the pace and complexity of social change as well as the steady proliferation of social statistics, ultimately translates into difficult choices regarding the framing and presentation of the distribution of wellbeing in the subcontinent. Nonetheless, it is hoped that the analysis presented will impart to the reader a sense of the current situation in this world region and the challenges that continue to confront its peoples in the pursuit of what they would consider a good life.