How important are difficult environments to achieving the MDGs

This working paper, published by the Department for International Development, argues that countries defined as "difficult environments” are the single biggest challenge to the MDGs and to the elimination of poverty. Such environments contain a third of those living in absolute poverty in developing countries; a third of the children not receiving primary education; nearly half of the children dying before their fifth birthday each year; a third of the maternal deaths; and a third of those living with HIV or AIDS.

The paper’s analysis suggests that progress towards the targets has been too slow in difficult environments for any of the targets to be met there. At current rates of improvement, only 80 per cent of children in difficult environments will be enrolled in primary education. Gender disparities in primary and secondary education will still exist. ,Maternal mortality rates will have halved since 1990, while child mortality rates will be three quarters of 1990 levels. The paper concludes that, if the current rate of improvement stays the same in difficult environments, the global MDG targets cannot be met, regardless of how much improvement is made in every other developing country.