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as tax revenues fall and governments are pressured to increase their spending to deal with the rising HIV prevalence.
The abilities of African countries to diversify their industrial base, expand exports and attract foreign investment are integral to economic progress in the region. By making labour more expensive and reducing profits, AIDS limits the ability of African countries to attract industries that depend on low-cost labour and makes investments in African businesses less desirable. HIV and AIDS therefore threaten the foundations of economic development in Africa.

The impact that AIDS has had on the economies of African countries is difficult to measure. The economies of the worst affected countries were already struggling with development challenges, debt and declining trade before the epidemic started to affect the continent. AIDS has combined with these factors to further aggravate the situation. It is thought that the yearly impact of AIDS on Sub Saharan Africa's gross domestic product (GDP) is -1%. While this is a relatively modest effect, it will build in significance over time, especially in countries where HIV prevalence is rising. One way in which this impact can be reduced is through the provision of antiretroviral drugs to people living with HIV. A recent study in South Africa suggested that, if the proportion of those in need of ARVs who are receiving them increased to 50%, the effect of the epidemic on economic growth would be reduced by 17%.

The Future Impact of HIV/AIDS

This page has outlined just some of the ways in which the AIDS epidemic has had a significant impact on countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Although both international and domestic efforts to overcome the crisis have been strengthened in recent years, the epidemic is showing no signs of diminishing, and the people of sub-Saharan Africa will continue to feel the affects of HIV and AIDS for years to come. It is clear that as much as possible needs to be done to minimise this impact.
As access to treatment is slowly expanded throughout the continent, millions of lives are being extended and hope is being given to people who previously had none. Unfortunately though, the majority of people in need of treatment are still not receiving it, and campaigns to prevent new infections (which must remain the central focus of the fight against AIDS) are lacking in many areas. HIV and AIDS in Africa are linked with many other problems, such as poverty and poor public infrastructures. Efforts to fight the epidemic must take these realities into account, and look at ways in which the general development of Africa can progress. As the evidence from this page displays, however, HIV and AIDS are acting as the single biggest barrier to Africa's development. Unless the crisis is addressed, untold suffering will continue to take its toll on this region.

Learn more about this author, Gordon Youngman.
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