The People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria is located in the Maghreb region of North Africa; by total land area, Algeria is the largest country in Africa. It is bordered by Tunisia, Libya, Niger, Mali, Mauritania, Western Sahara, Morocco, and the Mediterranean Sea. As much as 90 percent of Algeria’s total area is covered by the Sahara Desert, leaving the population of 43.6 million to reside predominantly in the more fertile and habitable north. The capital, Algiers, is also located in the north, close to the Mediterranean coast. The population is 99 percent Arab-Berber in ethnic makeup and speaks mostly Arabic, French, Berber, or Tamazight, and several other dialects. Ninety-nine percent of the population identifies as Muslim. Algeria is considered a regional power in North Africa, having the highest human development index of all continental (non-island) countries in Africa. It also has one of the largest economies on the African continent, based mostly on the export of energy resources. Algeria supplies large quantities of natural gas to Europe, in addition to petroleum. These commodities make up one-third of Algeria’s gross domestic product. As such, the country quickly industrialized after gaining independence from France in 1962. As a result of its rapid industrialization and growth, Algeria cleared all of its debt and invested heavily in infrastructure and social policiesAs the country developed over time, its health indicators improved as well. Life expectancy has increased to about 77 years. As the population lives to older ages, non-communicable diseases contribute most to death in Algeria. These include ischemic heart disease, stroke, hypertensive heart disease, chronic kidney disease, congenital defects, diabetes, and COPD. Notably, death due to diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease increased by over 60 percent between 2009 and 2019. Other leading causes of death include road injuries, neonatal disorders, and lower respiratory infections. The risk factors driving these leading causes of death include high blood pressure, high body-mass index, high fasting plasma glucose, malnutrition, dietary risks, tobacco use, air pollution, high LDL, kidney dysfunction, and occupational risks.

Algeria

The second largest and most populous Portuguese-speaking country in the world, behind only Brazil, the Republic of Angola lies on the southwestern coast of Africa, along the Atlantic Ocean. Angola’s neighbors include Namibia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Zambia. The country also includes a small province called Cabinda, which is geographically separated from Angola by a small area of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Angolan population of 33.6 million people is made up of several ethnic groups such as the Ovimbundu, Kimbundu, Bakongo, and Mestico. Languages spoken include Portuguese, the official language, as well as Umbundu, Kikongo, Kimbundu, Chokwe, Nhaneca, Ngaguela, Fiote, Kwanhama, Muhumbi, and Luvale. The majority of Angolans live in urban areas, and in the western half of the country and near the capital of Luanda.Angola achieved independence from Portugal in 1975, after a long and difficult anti-colonial struggle. Post-independence, Angola experienced several decades of conflict and instability, including a civil war that ended in 2002. Despite remaining stable since then, the country still has high rates of poverty, with about 40 percent of the population living below the poverty line. In addition, unemployment is high and literacy levels are low. Angola’s economy is one of the fastest growing in the region due to oil production and other mineral resources, but this growth has not benefited the majority of the population.High levels of poverty have contributed to lacking health indicators in the country. Angola suffers from high rates of child and maternal mortality, and life expectancy is among the lowest in the world, at 61 years. Leading causes of death include neonatal disorders, HIV/AIDS, diarrheal diseases, lower respiratory infections, tuberculosis, malaria, stroke, ischemic heart disease, road injuries, cirrhosis, and protein-energy malnutrition. The risk factors that contribute most to deaths and disabilities include malnutrition, unsafe sex, air pollution, alcohol and tobacco use, high blood pressure, high fasting plasma glucose, high body-mass index, dietary risks, occupational risks, and insufficient sanitation and clean water.

Angola

The People’s Republic of Bangladesh, in South Asia, shares borders with India, Myanmar, and the Bay of Bengal. It is the eighth most populous country in the world, home to 164.1 million people, and is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. The capital, Dhaka, its largest city, is also the economic and political center of Bangladesh. The population is ethnically homogeneous, with 98 percent identifying as Bengali, and linguistically homogeneous, with 98.8 percent speaking Bangla (Bengali). Islam is the most commonly practiced religion, making Bangladesh the third largest Muslim-majority country in the world. Bangladesh is known for its famed mangrove forests, home to some of the most fertile soils in the world, and a vibrant ecosystem.Bangladesh partitioned from India in 1947 to become East Pakistan. A movement based in Bengali nationalism and self-determination led to Bangladesh’s independence as a sovereign nation in 1971. Despite ongoing challenges of corruption, political unrest, a refugee crisis, and the negative effects of climate change, Bangladesh has continued to grow and develop. It is considered an emerging market and has one of the fastest-growing economies, particularly compared to the rest of Asia. Since 2005, the economy has grown about 6 percent annually. About half of Bangladeshis work in agriculture, with rice the largest crop. In addition, the industrial sector features heavily in the economy, and Bangladesh is one of the largest garment exporters in the world. In all, poverty rates decreased from 44 percent in 1991 to 15 percent in 2016, marking a significant improvement.As economic and development indicators have improved over time, so have Bangladesh’s health indicators. Child mortality in under-five and under-one age groups decreased significantly between 1990 and 2019. Life expectancy has also steadily increased. However, both communicable and non-communicable diseases continue to be leading causes of death, including stroke, ischemic heart disease, COPD, neonatal disorders, lower respiratory infections, diabetes, diarrheal diseases, tuberculosis, cirrhosis, and malignant neoplasms. The risk factors that contribute most to deaths and disabilities include malnutrition, air pollution, high blood pressure, tobacco use, dietary risks, high fasting plasma glucose, high body-mass index, high LDL, drowning, and insufficient water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Bangladesh

The Republic of Benin, in West Africa, lies between Togo, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Referred to as the birthplace of Vodou and home to centuries-old palaces in Abomey, Benin has a small, young population of 13.3 million. The country comprises several ethnic groups including the Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba and Fulani, who speak their namesake languages as well as the country’s official language, French.Benin gained independence from France in 1960. Since establishing its democratic system of government more than 20 years ago, Benin has become one of Africa’s most stable democracies. Its farm-based economy, which employs about 70 percent of the country’s population, has grown significantly from decade to decade. Benin has also invested in infrastructure, including renovating its port. Today, Benin has an economic growth rate of about 5 percent. Despite this growth, poverty remains a pressing issue faced by roughly 40 percent of the population. Benin is particularly vulnerable to climate hazards, as well as to the effect of economic and political changes in Nigeria, its largest trading partner.Life expectancy continues to rise, nearing 62 years of age. Despite some improvements in health indicators, the health challenges that contribute most to death and disability in the country are communicable and non-communicable diseases. Significant causes of death include malaria, neonatal disorders, lower respiratory infections, diarrheal disease, stroke, ischemic heart disease, congenital defects, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and measles. Stroke, ischemic heart disease, and measles have significantly increased in recent years. Of note, trauma from road injuries is a major cause of disability.

Benin

The Kingdom of Bhutan, in the Himalayas of south-central Asia, is well known for its unique development philosophy. It measures Gross National Happiness (GNH), in which the progress of the country is guided by the well-being and happiness of its population. Bordered by China and India, Bhutan is also close to Nepal and Bangladesh. It holds a strategic location in the region, controlling several major mountain passes into the Himalayas. Ethnically, the population of 857,423 is 50 percent Ngalop; other groups include Nepali and Lhotshampas. Languages spoken include Dzongkha (the official language), Sharchokpa, and Lhotshamkha, as well as other foreign languages. The Bhutanese are predominantly Lamaistic Buddhist; there are also Indian and Nepali-influenced Hindus. As much as 43 percent of the population lives in urban areas, including about 200,000 in the capital of Thimphu.Bhutan was historically a remote kingdom, isolated from the world by the vast mountains in which it is located. However, in the second half of the 20th century, the country became more connected to the global community. In the 1990s, Bhutan moved away from its status as an absolute monarchy, and in 2008 the country became a multiparty parliamentary democracy. Bhutan has since enjoyed economic stability and development, due in large part to its significant water resources and hydropower revenues. Overall, the country has made significant progress, reducing poverty from 36 percent of the population to 12 percent between 2007 and 2017. Bhutan’s GDP has increased about 7.5 percent annually since the early 1980s, making it one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.In addition to boosting economic development, Bhutan has improved many of its healthcare indicators. Average life expectancy increased from 60 years in 1990 to 72 years in 2019. Nonetheless, non-communicable diseases have increased over time as leading causes of death. These include ischemic heart disease, COPD, stroke, cirrhosis, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. Communicable diseases also contribute to deaths in Bhutan, including lower respiratory infections, neonatal disorders, diarrheal diseases, and tuberculosis. The risk factors that contribute most to deaths and disabilities include malnutrition, air pollution, high blood pressure, dietary risks, high fasting plasma glucose, high body-mass index, tobacco use, occupational risks, high LDL levels, kidney dysfunction, and lack of sanitation and clean water.

Bhutan

The Plurinational State of Bolivia, in South America, is landlocked by its neighbors Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, and Peru. About one-third of Bolivia’s area is located within the Andean Mountains. Bolivia’s 11.8 million people are distributed around the country, with a high-altitude plain in the west the most densely populated. Other population hubs include the city of Santa Cruz and the capital, La Paz. The Bolivian population is ethnically diverse, with a majority being Mestizo. There are several languages that are considered the official language of Bolivia, including Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, and Guarani. At least 36 other indigenous languages are spoken throughout the country. Almost 80 percent of the population identifies as Roman Catholic, with smaller proportions of evangelicals and Pentecostals, as well as Protestants. Lake Titicaca, the lake with the highest elevation above sea level (12,507 feet), is located there, as is the world’s largest salt flat, which contains 50 percent to 70 percent of the world’s lithium.A former colony of Spain, Bolivia gained independence in 1825 after a 16-year war. Modern-day Bolivia has significantly decreased poverty rates; however, it is still considered the second poorest country in South America. Education is low quality, and access to educational opportunities is unevenly distributed among the rural and indigenous populations. Bolivia is rich in natural resources and mineral deposits, such as petroleum, natural gas, tin, silver, lithium, and copper. Other economic sectors include agriculture, forestry, fishing, and manufacturing.In addition to a high rate of poverty, Bolivia also ranks poorly in health metrics. The risk of major infectious diseases is considered high, with high incidence rates of bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, dengue fever, and malaria. Leading causes of death in Bolivia include ischemic heart disease, lower respiratory infections, stroke, chronic kidney disease, neonatal disorders, diabetes, cirrhosis, stomach cancer, COPD, road injuries, congenital defects, and tuberculosis. The risk factors that contribute most to deaths and disabilities include malnutrition, high body-mass index, high fasting plasma glucose, air pollution, high blood pressure, dietary risks, kidney dysfunction, alcohol and tobacco use, high LDL, and a lack of water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Bolivia

Burkina Faso is a country located in West Africa, landlocked by Mali, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Ivory Coast. Most of the population is unevenly distributed, with most people living in the center and southern portions of the country. About 32 percent of the population lives in urban areas, including Ouagadougou, the capital, which is home to nearly 3 million people and geographically located in the center of the country. The country’s population of 21.3 million is ethnically diverse, including groups such as Mossi, Fulani, Gurma, Bobo, Gurunsi, Senufo, Bissa, Lobi, and Dagara. French is the official and most commonly spoken language, while about 90 percent of the population also speaks one of many recognized local African dialects. About 64 percent of the population identifies as Muslim, and 25 percent identifies as Roman Catholic. Burkina Faso has one of the highest fertility rates in the world, with 5.1 children being born per woman. This has resulted in a rapidly growing, and proportionally young, population, with 65 percent of people under the age of 25.Burkina Faso was a French colony and achieved independence in 1960. For several decades after, governmental instability prevailed, with several military coups taking place. The country overall faces many challenges in security and deteriorating stability, with terrorist activity and attacks contributing to what has become a humanitarian crisis and large numbers of internally displaced persons. This ongoing conflict and insecurity has contributed to significant development challenges in the areas of health and education. Unemployment is widespread, one-third of the population is literate, and more than 40 percent of people live below the national poverty line. The largest portion of the economy is based in agriculture, with 80 percent of the population involved in subsistence farming. The economy is also supplemented by revenues in gold exports, albeit minimally.Burkina Faso faces several health challenges. The population has a life expectancy of 62 years, one of the lowest in the world. Residents and visitors face a high risk of infectious diseases, such as hepatitis A, typhoid fever, dengue fever, malaria, schistosomiasis, and more. Leading causes of death include several communicable and non-communicable diseases, including malaria, lower respiratory infections, neonatal disorders, diarrheal diseases, ischemic heart disease, congenital defects, tuberculosis, stroke, hemoglobinopathies, road injuries, HIV/AIDS, and meningitis. The risk factors that contribute most to deaths and disabilities include malnutrition, air pollution, insufficient clean water and sanitation, high blood pressure, high fasting plasma glucose, dietary risks, high body-mass index, alcohol and tobacco use, unsafe sex, and non-optimal temperature.

Burkina Faso

Landlocked in the middle of Central-East Africa, the Republic of Burundi lies between Tanzania, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and shares a long border with Lake Tanganyika. One of the last-standing African monarchies, whose kingship fell in 1966, Burundi has a population of 12.2 million. While small, Burundi is one of the most densely populated countries in Africa, with 470 inhabitants per square kilometer. The nation is 75 percent Christian and is unique for its linguistic homogeneity; nearly the entire population speaks Kirundi.Formerly a colony of Germany and Belgium, Burundi achieved independence in 1962, followed by decades of ethnic tension. The country has experienced both a civil war and a string of contentious elections. Ethnic friction between the usually-dominant Tutsi minority and the Hutu majority has further damaged the country’s political stability and ability to control corruption. The majority of the population continues to live in poverty, with economic instability disproportionately affecting rural areas, where only 2 percent of households have access to electricity. In addition, food insecurity in Burundi is nearly double the average for sub-Saharan countries.While life expectancy has increased and under-five mortality has decreased over time, communicable and non-communicable diseases continue to contribute to poor health indicators and a large burden of disease in the population. Illnesses causing the most deaths include diarrheal diseases, neonatal disorders, tuberculosis, malaria, lower respiratory infections, stroke, ischemic heart disease, congenital defects, HIV/AIDS, and protein-energy malnutrition, with significant increases in stroke and ischemic heart disease in recent years. Road injuries have also increased significantly in recent years and are a main contributor to disability.

Burundi

Known for its scenic and natural beauty, featuring forests and rice paddies, the Kingdom of Cambodia is bordered by Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos. Predominantly Buddhist, Cambodia has a population of approximately 17.3 million, mostly from the Khmer ethnic group and speaking the Khmer language. Other ethnicities include Cham, Chinese, and Vietnamese. Most of the population is concentrated in the southeast, around the capital, Phnom Penh, with other large populations near the Tonle Sap lake—Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake—and the Mekong River.A former colony of France, Cambodia won its independence in 1953. Over the past two decades, Cambodia has experienced significant economic expansion, with an average 8 percent annual growth between 1998 and 2018, fueled primarily by a robust tourism industry, in addition to garment exports. As a result, poverty decreased from 48 percent in 2007 to 14 percent in 2014. While this is a significant improvement, the quality of health and education remain challenged as a whole.Economic growth has yielded overall improvements in the health status of the population. Life expectancy has increased to 70 years of age, and maternal mortality has decreased. However, there remains room for improvement. The most common causes of death include stroke, lower respiratory infections, cirrhosis, tuberculosis, neonatal disorders, diabetes, COPD, lung cancer, road injuries, and HIV/AIDS. Risk factors such as malnutrition, air pollution, alcohol and tobacco use, high blood sugar, and diet contribute to the heavy burden of non-communicable disease.

Cambodia

The Republic of Cameroon, in Central Africa, is neighbored by Nigeria, Chad, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea. Cameroon’s population of 28.5 million is comprised of several different ethnic groups including Bamileke-Bamu, Beti/Bassa, Mbam, Biu-Mandara, Arab-Choa/Hausa/Kanuri, Adamawa-Ubangi, Grassfields, Kako, Meka/Pygmy, Cotier/Ngoe/Oroko, and Southwestern Bantu. Cameroon’s ethnic diversity is represented by as many as 24 major languages spoken throughout the country, while English and French are the official languages. In addition to ethnic and linguistic diversity, Cameroon is also religiously diverse, with Roman Catholic, Protestant, Christian, Muslim, and animist populations. Also known as the “hinge of Africa,” Cameroon exhibits all the major climates and vegetative features that can be found in Africa: coast, desert, mountains, rainforest, and savanna. As a result, it is also sometimes referred to as Africa in miniature.Prior to its independence in 1960, Cameroon was a French colony. A formerly British portion of the country merged with French Cameroon in 1961 to form the country’s modern borders. Since then, Cameroon has continued to suffer from high rates of poverty, with a lack of investment in public programs and insufficient social safety nets. In addition, food insecurity in the north has worsened due to the activities of armed groups and insurgencies. Rural areas of Cameroon especially suffer from a lack of job opportunities, poor educational systems, a deficient healthcare infrastructure, and insufficient sanitation and clean water.The population of Cameroon is proportionately young, with more than 60 percent of the population under 25 years of age. Cameroon also has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. The most common causes of death include HIV/AIDS, malaria, diarrheal diseases, lower respiratory infections, neonatal disorders, stroke, ischemic heart disease, tuberculosis, road injuries, and diabetes. Notably, death due to measles has decreased by nearly 62 percent; however, it is still considered one of the main causes of mortality.

Cameroon

Located in the Atlantic Ocean 500 kilometers off the western coast of Africa, Cabo Verde is an archipelago consisting of 10 volcanic islands. These islands were entirely uninhabited until the 15th century, when the Portuguese discovered and colonized them. Also known as Cape Verde, the Republic of Cabo Verde is home to 590,000 people distributed throughout the islands, with more than half living on Sao Tiago Island, site of the capital, Praia. About 67 percent of Cape Verdeans are urban dwellers. The population identifies mostly as ethnically Creole, with other ethnic groups including African and European. Portuguese is the official language, while Krioulo is also widely spoken throughout the country and diaspora.Since gaining independence from Portugal in 1975, Cabo Verde has maintained one of the most stable democratic governments in Africa, as well as one of the continent's most stable economies. Only about 10 percent of Cabo Verde’s land is arable, and there are few mineral resources. Instead, much of the economy is grounded in tourism, drawing visitors with its pleasant climate, attractive beaches, stable economy, and close proximity to Europe. Tourism contributed substantially to the country’s rapid economic and social progress between 1990 and 2008. Much of the population is employed in the service industry, and also commerce, trade, transport, and public services.Non-communicable diseases have increased since 2009 to become the leading cause of death in Cabo Verde. Death due to ischemic heart disease, stroke, diabetes, prostate cancer, stomach cancer, and chronic kidney disease all increased by 50 percent or more between 2009 and 2019. Other leading causes of death include lower respiratory infections, cirrhosis, Alzheimer's disease, self-harm, and interpersonal violence. While neonatal disorders and HIV/AIDS continue to contribute substantially to death in Cabo Verde, these decreased by nearly 50 percent between 2009 and 2019, indicating substantial progress. Risk factors that contribute most to deaths and disabilities include high blood pressure, malnutrition, air pollution, high body-mass index, high fasting plasma glucose, dietary risks, alcohol and tobacco use, high LDL, kidney dysfunction, insufficient sanitation and clean water, and unsafe sex.

Cape Verde

Located in the middle of the African continent is the Central African Republic (CAR), whose neighbors include Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, and Cameroon. Known for its exceptional natural beauty and wildlife, the CAR is home to a young population of 5.4 million people living primarily in the western and central areas of the country and around the capital city of Bangui. The majority of the population is Christian and culturally falls into several ethnic groups including the Baya, Banda, Mandjia, Sara, and M’Baka-bantu. The national language is Sangho, but French is also spoken in an official capacity.The Central African Republic achieved independence from France in 1960 and has since experienced decades of misrule, military coups, contentious elections, and rebellion. The country’s most recent state of turmoil was the result of a violent takeover of power in 2013 and an uprising that displaced 25 percent of the population. In February 2018, progress was made when the country signed an African Union–mediated peace agreement with 14 armed groups; however, fighting between rebel groups continues. Today the CAR is one of the world's poorest and least developed countries. About 71 percent of the population lives below the international poverty line.As a result of conflict and economic turmoil, more than half the country requires humanitarian assistance, with over one million in acute need. Health indicators include an alarming maternal mortality rate and an average life expectancy of 53 years. Leading causes of death include tuberculosis, diarrheal diseases, lower respiratory infections, HIV/AIDS, neonatal disorders, and malaria. In recent years, congenital defects and stroke have also become more significant contributors to death, as have road injuries.

Central African Republic

The Republic of Chad, a landlocked country in central Africa, is home to more than 17.4 million people. Its capital city, N’Djamena, is known for a blend of modern and historical architecture and culture. Apart from its capital, Chad is largely rural. With about 200 ethnic groups, Chad has a diverse cultural history and population; upward of 120 languages and dialects are spoken, with French, Arabic, and Sara recognized as the official languages.Chad gained its independence in 1960, and has since experienced conflict with bordering countries, invasions, civil warfare, and recurring rebellions. Decades of instability have left much of the population struggling: 66 percent of Chadians live in extreme poverty. Chad’s limited resources and poor infrastructure must also accommodate more than 450,000 refugees from Sudan, the Central African Republic, and Nigeria. Previously a primarily agrarian economy, Chad became heavily dependent on oil after its discovery in 2013. Compounding an already dangerous socioeconomic situation is the impact of climate change and rapid desertification of Lake Chad.Poverty, conflict, and instability have in turn affected the health of the Chadian population, many of whom experience food insecurity and hunger. About 43 percent of children under five are stunted, and 2.2 million are malnourished. Chad has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in central Africa due to inadequate access to health services. In addition to high maternal mortality, diarrheal diseases, lower respiratory infections, malaria, tuberculosis, stroke, ischemic heart disease, congenital defects, HIV/AIDS, and meningitis contribute most to deaths in the country. Death caused by neonatal disorders is also of notable significance and has increased substantially in recent years. The majority of physicians are concentrated in one region, near N’Djamena; the entire country urgently needs a larger and more evenly distributed healthcare workforce and a more developed healthcare infrastructure. The average life expectancy at birth is 54.

Chad

Nicknamed the “Perfumed Islands” thanks to its fragrant plant life and natural beauty, the Comoros archipelago, formally known as Union of the Comoros, is a small, mountainous island country in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Eastern Africa. The population of 865,000 people is composed of several ethnic groups including Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, and Sakalava; the overwhelming majority are Sunni Muslim. Three official languages are spoken throughout the country: Arabic, French, and Shikomoro, a blend of Swahili and Arabic. Of the three islands that make up the Comoros, Anjouan is the most densely populated, with the capital, Maroni, also being fairly dense. Despite these high-density areas, as much as two-thirds of the population live in rural areas.Comoros is considered one of the world’s poorest countries, with much of its population relying on subsistence agriculture and fishing. One fourth of the population is considered to be extremely poor, living below the national poverty line. A limited number of job opportunities, no universities, a lack of advanced healthcare, and widespread poverty have resulted in a steady migration of Comorans moving abroad (mainly to France) in search of a better life. The diaspora has grown to such an extent that 25 percent of Comoros’ 2013 GDP was attributed to remittances. The most common causes of death in Comoros include stroke, lower respiratory infections, ischemic heart disease, neonatal disorders, tuberculosis, diarrheal diseases, malaria, diabetes, cirrhosis, and hypertensive heart disease. Death due to malaria has decreased by over 50 percent in the past 10 years, however it still causes substantial mortality in the country. The risk factors that contribute most to deaths and disabilities include malnutrition, air pollution, high blood pressure, dietary risks, high body-mass index, high fasting plasma glucose, tobacco use, and insufficient water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Comoros

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the largest country in sub-Saharan Africa, with an area equivalent to Western Europe. A beautiful country, the DRC is home to vast reserves of resources ranging from diamonds to hydroelectric potential. The population of more than 105 million comprises more than 200 ethnic groups, most of which are Bantu. As much as 45 percent of the population lives in urban areas, predominantly in the cities in the northeast and in the capital, Kinshasa. French is the official language of the DRC; many people communicate using Lingala, the lingua franca.The Democratic Republic of the Congo won its independence from Belgium in 1960, followed by years of political and social instability. The country has experienced conflict stemming from decades of civil war and corruption, which still exists today. And while the economic situation in the DRC has improved over the past two decades, in 2018 about 72 percent of the population lived in extreme poverty. Less than half of the population has access to clean drinking water, and only 20 percent has access to sanitation.The country’s largely rural population faces a high burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases, as well as injuries. Significant causes of death include malaria, tuberculosis, lower respiratory infections, neonatal disorders, diarrheal diseases, stroke, ischemic heart disease, road injuries, hypertensive heart disease, cirrhosis, congenital defects, and HIV/AIDS. A number of Ebola outbreaks has also burdened the DRC. Fears of epidemic coupled with violence across the country has contributed to a growing public health challenge: poor mental health and depressive disorders. Unfortunately, maternal and child health indicators have not improved significantly since the beginning of the century.

DR Congo

The Republic of Djibouti is located in the Horn of Africa, bordered by Somaliland, Eritrea, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. While small in geographical size, Djibouti benefits from a particularly strategic location, jutting out into the Gulf of Aden. Its modern port serves important traffic coming across the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. Djibouti is home to the lowest point in Africa, the saline Lake Assal, which is 509 feet below sea level. The population of about 940,000 is composed of 60 percent Somali and 35 percent Afar people, speaking the official languages of French and Arabic, in addition to Somali and Afar. The vast majority of the population is Sunni Muslim, with a small portion, mostly foreigners, identifying as Christian. More than 78 percent of Djiboutians live in cities. The capital of Djibouti, also named Djibouti, is home to 600,000 people. Other cities throughout the country have significantly lower populations, none exceeding 50,000.Formerly known as French Somaliland and the French Territory of the Afars and Issas, Djibouti adopted its modern name after it gained independence from France in 1977. Due to Djibouti’s harsh climate and limited arable land, agriculture is not a key economic sector. Rural areas are known for raising sheep and goats in small herds for meat, milk, and skins. Overall, Djibouti faces high levels of unemployment because there are few natural resources, agriculture is not a viable industry, and there is limited development in the manufacturing and industrial sectors. Therefore, the country focuses primarily on the service sector, which accounts for the majority of its GDP. Many Djiboutians struggle with unemployment, and poor housing and insufficient water and sanitation facilities contribute to poor overall living conditions.Chewing khat, a practice that dates back thousands of years in the Horn of Africa, is widespread in Djibouti, and can lead to adverse health effects, such as depression. In addition to pervasive khat chewing, other factors that contribute to poor health include: malnutrition, unsafe sex, air pollution, high blood pressure, tobacco, dietary risks, high fasting plasma glucose, high body-mass index, kidney dysfunction, non-optimal temperature, and a lack of water, sanitation, and hygiene. The causes of most deaths in the country include HIV/AIDS, neonatal disorders, lower respiratory infections, ischemic heart disease, stroke, tuberculosis, diarrheal diseases, cirrhosis, diabetes, protein-energy malnutrition, and congenital defects. Notably, deaths due to non-communicable diseases such as ischemic heart disease, stroke, cirrhosis, and diabetes have all increased by at least 48 percent or more over the past decade

Djibouti

The Arab Republic of Egypt officially spans two continents: the northeast corner of Africa and the southwest corner of Asia, bordered by the Gaza Strip (Palestine), Israel, the Gulf of Aqaba, the Red Sea, Sudan, and Libya. Several other countries are located in close proximity to Egypt on the other side of the Gulf of Aqaba. Its population of 106.4 million is ethnically homogenous, identifies as overwhelmingly Egyptian, and speaks mostly Arabic, the country’s official language. In some instances, English and French are spoken as well. As much as 90 percent of the population is Sunni Muslim. Much of the population lives within 20 kilometers of the Nile River and the Nile River Delta, leaving large swaths of the country completely uninhabited. About 43 percent of the population live in cities, with 21 million people living in Cairo, the capital. Egypt is unique in that it has one of the longest documented histories of any country, going as far back as the 6th millennium BC.The history of modern-day Egypt is commonly noted as beginning in 1922, when it gained independence from the British Empire. Since then, Egypt has experienced decades of social and religious upheaval and political unrest, in addition to a social revolution in 2011. As a result, local terrorism continues to be a problem, and economic underdevelopment is pervasive. Rapid population growth of 46 percent between 1994 and 2014 has put considerable stress on the country, affecting jobs, housing, education, sanitation, and healthcare. Unemployment of youth ages 15–24 is particularly high, with males experiencing unemployment rates of 25 percent and women 38 percent.Since the 1990s, the Egyptian Ministry of Health has increased its expenditure on public health programs, and as a result the number of government health centers, beds in hospitals, doctors, and dentists has increased. In addition to the public health system, there is also a system of Islamic healthcare centers and private clinics, which together have been able to serve most of the population. Most deaths in Egypt are caused by ischemic heart disease, cirrhosis, stroke, road injuries, chronic kidney disease, hypertensive heart disease, lower respiratory infection, diabetes, COPD, and liver cancer. Notably, non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and cirrhosis have all increased between 2009 and 2019. In addition, while diarrheal diseases and neonatal disorders have decreased substantially over the same period, they are still considered to be the top causes of death in Egypt. About 32 percent of the population is considered obese, and infectious diseases such as hepatitis A, typhoid fever, and schistosomiasis are prevalent.

Egypt

Nicknamed the “Land of Volcanoes,” the Republic of El Salvador is bordered by Honduras, Guatemala, and the Pacific Ocean. It is the smallest country in Central America. The population of 6.5 million is overwhelmingly ethnically Mestizo. Languages spoken include Spanish, the official language, and Nawat. About half the population is Roman Catholic, while the rest is Protestant. The country is densely populated throughout, with many people living in and around San Salvador, the capital. Overall, nearly 75 percent of the population lives in urban areas. About 20 percent of Salvadorans live abroad due to a combination of poor economic conditions, civil war, natural disasters, and violence. The geography of El Salvador is unique, with dozens of volcanoes—many of them active—throughout the landscapes.El Salvador is a former colony of Spain; it achieved independence in 1821, and then again from the Central American Federation in 1839. A civil war ended in 1992, which led to political reforms, but the country has struggled with stability ever since. El Salvador suffers from low economic growth rates and persistent poverty, inequality, and violent gang-related crime. It is afflicted with some of the highest homicide rates in the world. Because so much of the population lives outside El Salvador, remittances account for a large portion of the Salvadoran economy—they make up nearly 20 percent of the GDP led only by exports.El Salvador faces many challenges when it comes to health. Many of the country's doctors work only in urban areas, resulting in unequal access to healthcare services. Moreover, malnutrition is prevalent throughout the country, while communicable diseases such as dengue fever, malaria, and cholera have re-emerged. Interpersonal violence decreased slightly between 2009 and 2019, but it still continues to be a leading cause of mortality in El Salvador. Other leading causes of death include ischemic heart disease, chronic kidney disease, lower respiratory infections, diabetes, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, cirrhosis, road injuries, and COPD. The risk factors that contribute most to deaths and disabilities include high fasting plasma glucose, high body-mass index, high blood pressure, kidney dysfunction, dietary risks, malnutrition, air pollution, high LDL, alcohol and tobacco use, and unsafe sex.

El Salvador

A small country in the Horn of Africa, the State of Eritrea is bordered by Sudan to the north and west, and Ethiopia and the Republic of Djibouti to the south. Home to a historically important trade route, Eritrea was at times colonized by Italy and Ethiopia. As such, the country’s cultural legacies are still apparent and interesting to experience.The majority of Eritrea’s 6.1 million people belong to the Tigrinya and Tigre ethnic groups. Most of the population live in the middle of the country around urban centers like Asmara, the capital, and cities such as Keren. Overall, around 40 percent of the population is urban.After a 30-year war for liberation from Ethiopia, Eritrea became independent in 1993. A brief period of stability was followed by a border war with Ethiopia in 1998, which ended in 2000. Since then, Eritrea has been in a state of transitional political arrangements. The highly militarized one-party state has been ranked by the Committee to Protect Journalists as the most censored country in the world. Eritrea’s contentious history has left it as one of the poorest countries in Africa, facing economic and political strife.Eritrea’s political struggles have affected the overall health of the population, with preventable diseases making up around 70 percent of all disease. The country’s impoverished population faces significant levels of death due to tuberculosis, lower respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, neonatal disorders, HIV/AIDS, road injuries, protein-energy malnutrition, and measles. In recent years, death due to non-communicable diseases such as stroke, ischemic heart disease, cirrhosis, and diabetes has also increased significantly.

Eritrea

Located in the Horn of Africa, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has a population of 110.9 million that is 44 percent Ethiopian Orthodox, 31 percent Muslim, and 23 percent Protestant. Eighty different ethnic groups, speaking 200 different native dialects, live there. Most of Ethiopia’s population can be found in the highlands of the north and middle geographies of the country, particularly around the capital city of Addis Ababa. Ethiopia is often called the “Cradle of Mankind.” Fossils of some of humankind’s earliest ancestors can be found in Ethiopia, as well as nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, more than any other country in Africa.Ethiopia is the only country in sub-Saharan Africa to never be colonized, although it did experience Italian occupation from 1936–1941. But the country has faced decades of conflict with neighbors, environmental disasters, famine, forced population resettlement due to overworked land, and political instability. As a result, Ethiopia remains in a vulnerable state and has been ranked as one of the poorest countries in the world.Poverty has resulted in poor health and a weak healthcare system that can’t keep up with the population’s needs. Maternal mortality, malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS are all areas of concern. Significant malnutrition results in 50 percent of children having stunted growth by age five. The largest contributors to death include neonatal disorders, diarrheal disease, lower respiratory infections, HIV/AIDS, malaria, meningitis, and measles. Additional significant causes of death include non-communicable diseases, such as congenital defects as well as stroke, ischemic heart disease, and cirrhosis, which have increased substantially in recent years.

Ethiopia

The Republic of The Gambia is a small West African country surrounded by Senegal on all sides except along its short coast. Referred to as the “smiling coast of Africa,” The Gambia’s long and winding shape was determined by British and French territory divisions established in the 19th century and follows the outline of the Gambia River. The majority of its more than 2.2 million person population is Muslim. It is one of the most densely populated countries in Africa, with about 57 percent of The Gambia’s population concentrated in urban and peri-urban centers. The most commonly spoken language is English, in addition to several local languages representative of a variety of Gambian ethnic groups.Since the country’s independence from Britain in 1965, The Gambia has remained politically stable. Stability has not directly translated into prosperity, as nearly half of the population lives in poverty and almost 10 percent faces food insecurity. Two-thirds of the population earns their livelihood from the agricultural sector, but the overall output of the sector is low relative to the amount of arable land.The poor socioeconomic situation in The Gambia is reflected in the health indicators of the escountry as well. Poverty in addition to a deteriorating infrastructure, a shortage of healthcare personnel, and an inadequate referral system contribute to a population in poor health. The top causes of death include lower respiratory infections, neonatal disorders, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, diarrheal diseases, maternal disorders, and increasingly, non-communicable diseases such as ischemic heart disease, stroke, liver cancer, and cirrhosis. Despite a precarious health situation in the country, some progress has been made: Life expectancy has continued to improve over the past few decades, as well as the under-five mortality rate, which is now nearly half of what it was in 1990.

Gambia

Dubbed “the gateway to West Africa,” Ghana is blessed with stunning natural landscapes and tourist attractions that include waterfalls, palm-lined sandy beaches, rivers, reservoirs, lakes, caves, mountains, forests, and national parks. Dozens of forts and castles, and two UNESCO World Heritage sites, round out the offerings. Officially known as the Republic of Ghana, this West African country has a coastline along the Gulf of Guinea and shares borders with Ivory Coast to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, and Togo to the east. Ghana’s population of roughly 32.4 million comprises multiple languages and ethnic groups. About 80 Ghanaian languages are spoken, with many people speaking at least one of the 10 major Ghanaian languages: Asante, Ewe, Fante, Brong, Dagomba, Dangme, Dagaare, Kokomba, Akyem, and Ga. Ghana inherited English from Great Britain during its colonial past, and it remains the official language and lingua franca.Carved from the British colony of the Gold Coast and the Togoland Trust Territory, in 1957 Ghana became the first Sub-Saharan country in colonial Africa to gain independence from British rule. Ghana was subsequently proclaimed a republic on July 1, 1960. Post-independence, the country faced political instability following a number of coup d’etats. Ghana returned to constitutional democracy in 1992, and since then the country has been one of the most stable political environments and democracies in Africa. As Africa’s largest producer of gold, and the second largest producer of cocoa (after the Ivory Coast), Ghana is also rich in other mineral resources such as diamonds, bauxite, manganese ore, and oil. The economy is fairly agrarian, with about 54 percent of Ghana’s total labor force employed in agriculture. However, high government debt, spending, and corruption, coupled with a fall in oil prices, have resulted in economic hardship.Life expectancy in Ghana increased significantly, from age 57 to 64, between 2000 and 2019. Similarly, under-five mortality rates decreased from 99 to 46 deaths per 1,000 live births. Nonetheless, the population is still vulnerable to poor health. Both communicable and non-communicable diseases contribute to the most deaths, including malaria, stroke, lower respiratory infections, neonatal disorders, ischemic heart disease, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, diarrheal diseases, diabetes, and cirrhosis. Trauma, preterm birth complications, birth asphyxia, and mortality from road injuries are also significant. In 2020, a total of 1,115 casualties from road accidents were recorded in Ghana.

Ghana

The Republic of Guinea is a West African country bordered by Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, and Mali to the north, and Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Ivory Coast to the south. Home to the Gambia, the Niger, and the Sénégal rivers, Guinea is known for its lovely landscapes and captivating waterfalls. The country has a predominantly Muslim population of over 12.9 million, with the highest density in the south and west of the country. As many as 40 different languages are spoken throughout the country, although French is the most widely used.Formerly part of both the Ghana Empire and the Mali Empire, Guinea achieved independence from French West Africa in 1958. What followed was a period of political instability as rival groups fought for political power. Guinea is rich in resources including gold, diamonds, and a large portion of the world’s bauxite. Agriculture is the nation’s primary source of employment and income, but this way of life is threatened by climate change, as annual rainfall totals decline and temperatures rise. About half of the population lives in poverty.Widespread poverty is reflected in the population’s overall health. In addition to poor healthcare infrastructure, the country was also the origin of the 2014 Ebola outbreak, which devastated Guinea and spread to neighboring nations. Leading causes of death include lower respiratory infections, malaria, neonatal disorders, diarrheal diseases, stroke, ischemic heart disease, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, meningitis, congenital defects, and measles. Death from measles has decreased substantially, but it still remains a significant health threat and a top cause of death.

Guinea

Located on the coast of West Africa, the Republic of Guinea-Bissau has a small, young population of 2 million people, two-thirds of whom are under age 30. About one-fifth of the population lives in the capital of Bissau and along the coast. As a coastal country, Guinea-Bissau has countless islands dotting the shoreline, with unique natural features and wildlife. Predominantly Muslim and Christian, Guinea-Bissau’s population comprises several ethnic groups such as Fulani, Balanta, Mandinga, Papel, and Manjaco. Crioulo is the lingua franca, while Portuguese is the official language.Guinea-Bissau was ruled by Portugal until 1974, and since independence, the country has experienced decades of political instability marked by a civil war and several coups. The result is a fragile country with high levels of unemployment, a weak economy, widespread corruption, and endemic poverty. Several public institutions are challenged, including an underdeveloped education infrastructure.Despite its many economic and political challenges, Guinea-Bissau has seen improvements in recent decades; the under-five mortality rate has declined significantly since 1990, from over 200 deaths per 1,000 live births to under 80. Similarly, life expectancy continues to improve—but it still ranks among the lowest in the world. Despite some improvements in overall population health, top causes of death include neonatal disorders, diarrheal diseases, lower respiratory infections, HIV/AIDS, ischemic heart disease, stroke, tuberculosis, malaria, road injuries, and meningitis. Additionally, cases of measles have been increasing annually, posing a significant public health challenge.

Guinea-Bissau

The Republic of Haiti is a tropical Caribbean country located south of Cuba and west of the Dominican Republic. The most mountainous country in the Caribbean, Haiti has stunning landscapes and views, along with natural coasts and beaches. The population is young, with 50 percent of Haiti's 11.2 million people under the age of 23. Haitians predominantly speak French and Creole, and are largely Roman Catholic and Protestant while practicing some elements of locally recognized Vodou.Known for its revolutionary spirit, Haiti won independence from France in a slave-led revolution in 1804. Today, Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and grapples with ongoing political instability and natural disasters. In 2010, an earthquake hit Haiti, devastating its economy and killing more than 300,000 people. In 2016, Hurricane Matthew struck the country, causing losses totaling 32 percent of its GDP. Haiti remains particularly vulnerable to natural disasters, with 96 percent of the population at risk.With about 65 percent of the population living in poverty, one-quarter of Haitians are unable to cover basic food requirements, and more than 40 percent lack access to clean water. Non-communicable diseases such as ischemic heart disease, stroke, diabetes, congenital defects, and chronic kidney disease have notably increased in recent years as the cause of most deaths in Haiti. While some communicable diseases have decreased on average, lower respiratory infections, HIV/AIDS, neonatal disorders, and diarrheal diseases continue to be significant contributors to deaths in the country.

Haiti

The Republic of Honduras, in Central America, is bordered by Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, the Pacific Ocean, and the Gulf of Honduras. The population of 9.3 million is overwhelmingly ethnically Mestizo, with smaller portions of the population identifying as Amerindian. The official language is Spanish, with Amerindian dialects spoken throughout the country. About 60 percent of the population lives in urban areas, predominantly in two major metropolitan centers: Tegucigalpa (the capital) and San Pedro Sula. About 46 percent of the population identifies as Roman Catholic, while 41 percent is Protestant. The name Honduras translates into “great depths,” which is an accurate description of the deep waters off the coast of the country, home to the second largest coral reef system in the world.Honduras has a long, rich history of Mesoamerican cultures, including Mayan. Colonized by Spain in the 16th century, Honduras gained independence in 1821 and has since experienced extended periods of political and social instability. Honduras has recently benefited from high levels of economic growth, the second highest in Central America and above average for the Latin American and Caribbean regions. Despite economic progress, Honduras is still challenged with high levels of poverty and inequality. The poverty rate is the second highest in the region, with more than half the population living in poverty. While enrollment in primary school is nearly universal, the quality of education is low, with poor school accountability and high dropout rates.While life expectancy has increased, death rates remain high among those in lower economic demographics. Malnutrition and malaria remain persistent problems among the population’s poorest. Leading causes of death include ischemic heart disease, stroke, interpersonal violence, chronic kidney disease, cirrhosis, COPD, neonatal disorders, lung cancer, diarrheal diseases, road injuries, and lower respiratory infections. The risk factors that contribute most to deaths and disabilities include high blood pressure, high fasting plasma glucose, malnutrition, high body-mass index, air pollution, dietary risks, kidney dysfunction, alcohol and tobacco use, high LDL, and insufficient water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Honduras

The Republic of India is bordered by the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. With 1.3 billion people, India is the second most populous country in the world and the seventh largest country by geographical size. About 40 percent of Indians live in urban areas, such as New Delhi (the capital), Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai, and Hyderabad. The population is ethnically Indo-Aryan, Dravidian, and Mongoloid, while identifying religiously as predominantly Hindu, and also Muslim, Christian, and Sikh. The most common languages spoken include Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, Gujarati, Urdu, Kannada, Odia, Malayalam, Punjabi, Assamese, and Maithili. English is one of the main official languages, along with 22 other recognized languages.India gained independence from Britain in 1947, at which point the British Indian Empire split into two independent countries: Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan. Since the 2000s, India has made immense progress on poverty-alleviation efforts, lifting 90 million people out of poverty between 2011 and 2015. Other improvements include bringing 20 million children into primary school, increasing upper primary school enrollment by 10 percent, and improving rural water supply and sanitation. Gains have also been made in the healthcare sector, which has tackled issues such as maternal mortality, infectious disease, and quality of healthcare services.Improvements in medical and public healthcare services since independence has increased life expectancy by 25 years. Smallpox was eradicated in 1977 and malaria is nearly so. Social services and quality of life continue to improve, with more deaths naturally resulting from non-communicable, rather than communicable, disease. Deaths due to ischemic heart disease, COPD, stroke, and diabetes increased by about 30–50 percent between 2009 and 2019. Other main causes of death include diarrheal diseases, neonatal disorders, lower respiratory infections, tuberculosis, cirrhosis, falls, road injuries, and self-harm. Common risk factors include malnutrition, air pollution, high blood pressure, high fasting plasma glucose, dietary risks, high body-mass index, high LDL, alcohol and tobacco use, and insufficient water, sanitation, and hygiene.

India

The Ivory Coast is located on the south coast of West Africa, bordered by Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, and the Gulf of Guinea. The Ivory Coast has a growing population of 28.1 million people, the majority of which live on the southern coast, in cities along the Atlantic Ocean. Much of the country’s northern areas remain more sparsely populated. The population comprises several ethnic groups, including Akan, Voltaique/Gur, Northern Mande, Kru, Southern Mande, and some groups that are non-Ivorian. The population is equally religiously diverse: the majority are Muslim, followed by Catholic, Evangelical, Methodist, Christian, and animist. French is the official language and is most commonly spoken; there are also 60-plus native dialects. Music is an important part of the culture in the Ivory Coast, and various instruments and songs are used to share historical stories.After the Ivory Coast gained independence from France in 1960, its economy grew due to its cocoa and coffee industries. However, during the 1980s, the economy declined, followed by political unrest, civil war, and the internal displacement of large portions of the population. Recently, the country has experienced rapid economic growth, with a robust agricultural sector based primarily on the production and export of cocoa beans, coffee, and palm oil. About two-thirds of the population is involved in agriculture or activities related to agriculture. Despite the growing economy, approximately 46 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, and the country has one of the highest gender inequality rates in the world.A 2002 civil war disrupted the delivery of healthcare services to the population, and caused many healthcare practitioners to leave the country. In addition, with a large portion of the population living below the poverty line, health is overall poor. A pressing health challenge in the Ivory Coast is HIV/AIDS, one of the leading causes of death. Other leading causes of death include malaria, neonatal disorders, lower respiratory infections, ischemic heart disease, stroke, diarrheal diseases, tuberculosis, congenital defects, and cirrhosis. The risk factors that contribute most to deaths and disabiliies in the Ivory Coast include malnutrition, air pollution, unsafe sex, high blood pressure, high body-mass index, alcohol and tobacco use, high fasting plasma glucose, dietary risks, and insufficient water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Ivory Coast

Considered an archeological treasure trove—some of the earliest fossilized human remains were unearthed here along the shores of Lake Rudolf and in the Koobi Fora area—the Republic of Kenya is located in Eastern Africa and bordered by Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. The population of about 54.7 million people is concentrated mostly in the west of the country, near the shores of Lake Victoria, the world’s largest tropical lake, and also in the southeast, along the coast of the Indian Ocean. Nairobi, the capital, is home to almost 5 million people, and 28 percent of the population live in urban areas. Kenya is ethnically diverse, with Kikuyu, Luhya, Kalenjin, Luo, Kamba, Somali, Kisii, Mijikenda, Meru, Maasai, and Turkana groups making up the population. English and Kiswahili are the official languages, in addition to several other indigenous languages spoken throughout the country.Formerly a colony of England, Kenya achieved independence in 1963. It is a major hub for the economy and transport in Eastern Africa. While the country’s economic growth is notable, development has been slowed by corruption and poor governance. As such, Kenya has one of the highest unemployment rates in the world at roughly 40 percent, with about 36 percent of the population living below the poverty line. A lack of infrastructure also precludes efforts to improve unemployment and poverty rates. Agriculture contributes to one-third of the Kenyan GDP, and nearly 75 percent of the Kenyan population is employed by the sector in some capacity.One of Kenya’s biggest health challenges is HIV/AIDS, with some of the highest prevalence rates in the world among adults. While deaths due to HIV/AIDS decreased by over 40 percent between 2009 and 2019, it is still the leading cause of death in the country. Other major causes of death include lower respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, neonatal disorders, stroke, tuberculosis, ischemic heart disease, cirrhosis, malaria, diabetes, and meningitis. The risk factors that contribute most to deaths and disabilities include malnutrition, unsafe sex, insufficient water, sanitation, and hygiene, air pollution, high blood pressure, high body-mass index, high fasting plasma glucose, dietary risks, tobacco, alcohol, and drug use, and intimate partner violence. Of note, there is a very high risk of infectious diseases such as bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever, malaria, dengue fever, rift valley fever, schistosomiasis, and rabies.

Kenya

The Republic of Kiribati is the only country in the world to be located in all four hemispheres. This island nation in the Pacific Ocean consists of 32 atolls (ring-shaped coral reefs) and one raised coral island. The total land area is 811 square kilometers, with islands spread out over 3.5 million square kilometers. The population of 113,000 people is dispersed throughout these islands, with about half of the population residing on the Tarawa Atoll, which is also the capital. The majority of the population identifies as ethnically Kiribati, and speaks both Kiribati and English. Most of the people are Roman Catholic, with smaller portions identifying as Kiribati Uniting Church, Mormon, Baha’i, and Seventh Day Adventist.Kiribati gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1979. Of the Pacific Island countries, it remains one of the least developed. It has few natural resources, and economic development is limited by Kiribati’s lack of skilled labor, poor infrastructure, and distance from international markets. Much of the economic activity involves the public sector: building roads, developing water and hygiene projects, and renovations to infrastructure. Otherwise, fisheries and the export of coconuts and coconut products are the main drivers of economic activity. Because of limited economic opportunities, as much as 31 percent of the population is unemployed.Kiribati suffers from a variety of health challenges, including one of the highest adult obesity rates in the world. Because about 46 percent of the adult population is considered obese, a litany of non-communicable diseases tops the list of most common causes of death. These include ischemic heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, which all increased substantially between 2009 and 2019. Other leading causes of death include tuberculosis, neonatal disorders, diarrheal diseases, asthma, chronic kidney disease, lower respiratory infections, and self-harm. In addition to high body-mass index, the risk factors that contribute most to deaths and disabilities include high fasting plasma glucose, tobacco, high blood pressure, malnutrition, dietary risks, air pollution, high LDL, kidney dysfunction, and insufficient water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Kiribati

Known for its mountainous landscape, the Kyrgyz Republic, also referred to as Kirghizia in Russian, is a landlocked country in Central Asia, sharing borders with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and China. The population of 6 million lives mainly in rural areas, with the most densely inhabited area in the north and in and around the capital of Bishkek, as well as Osh in the western part of the country. About 40 percent of the population lives in urban areas. The majority of the population identifies as ethnically Kyrgyz, with a smaller number identifying as Uzbek and Russian. Kyrgyz and Russian are the official languages, and the overwhelming majority of the population (90 percent) is Sunni Muslim. Several mountain ranges jut throughout its impressive landscape: the Kok Shaal-Tau, Alay, Trans-Alay (Zaalay), and Atbashi ranges. Lowlands account for only one-seventh of the total land area of Kyrgyzstan, and yet this portion of land is home to most of the population.Kyrgyzstan has a rich and long history, having been a part of the Uyghur Empire and Mongol Empire during the 13th century. After becoming part of the USSR, Kyrgyzstan achieved independence in 1991. The country is rich in natural resources such as hydropower, gold, rare earth metals, coal, oil, natural gas, and deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc. As a result, the economy is focused primarily on the extraction of minerals. Despite a relatively resource-rich economy, the overall well-being of the population is lacking. Though unemployment is low, many people live below the poverty line—as much as 32 percent of the population. Notably, Kyrgyzstan’s standard of living as well as its economic and educational attainment levels are some of the lowest among the former Soviet republics.Kyrgyzstan has many health challenges. High rates of death are caused by ischemic heart disease, stroke, cirrhosis, COPD, neonatal disorders, road injuries, lower respiratory infections, stomach cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and self-harm. While death due to tuberculosis decreased by 38 percent between 2009 and 2019, it is still considered a top cause of death. The risk factors that contribute most to deaths and disabilities include dietary risks, high blood pressure, malnutrition, high body-mass index, alcohol and tobacco use, air pollution, high LDL, high fasting plasma glucose, and kidney dysfunction.

Kyrgyzstan

The Lao People’s Democratic Republic, in Southeast Asia, is landlocked by Myanmar, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. The population of 7.6 million people is diverse, with 49 ethnic groups formally recognized by the government. However, as many as 200 different ethnic groups exist overall. The majority of the population identifies as ethnically Lao, with smaller portions identifying as Khmou, Hmong, Phouthay, Tai, Makong, Katong, Lue, and Akha. Languages spoken include the official language, Lao, as well as French, English, and a variety of local ethnic languages. The majority of the population practices Buddhism. About 37 percent of the population lives in urban areas, such as Vientiane, the capital, and some larger settlements along the Mekong River and the southwestern border. In 1975, Laos emerged from the Vietnam War as a communist state, and remains a one-party socialist republic. It is often criticized for lacking in civil liberties and human rights by the international community. Nonetheless, Laos is one of the fastest-growing economies in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Since 2009 it has grown on average 7.4 percent a year. This has resulted in improving development indicators like reduced poverty and malnutrition, and better education. However, there is still room for progress on all of these fronts, as education attainment and quality of learning are still lacking. A child in Laos who goes to school for 10.8 years will receive only about 6.4 years of actual learning.While the economy in Laos continues to rapidly grow, health problems persist and negatively impact the population. Malnutrition continues to cause stunting, afflicting over 30 percent of children under five years of age. In addition, maternal mortality remains high, with 185 deaths per 100,000 births. Other leading causes of death in Laos include stroke, ischemic heart disease, lower respiratory infections, neonatal disorders, tuberculosis, COPD, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, cirrhosis, diarrheal diseases, road injuries, and congenital defects. The risk factors that contribute most to deaths and disabilities include malnutrition, air pollution, high blood pressure, high fasting plasma glucose, dietary risks, high body-mass index, alcohol and tobacco use, kidney dysfunction, occupational risks, and insufficient water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Laos

Boasting one of the highest adult literacy rates in Africa, the Kingdom of Lesotho is a small country bordered entirely by South Africa. The population of about 2.2 million resides in an area of about 30,000 square kilometers. Most people live in the western half of the country, and around a few major urban areas, such as Maseru, the capital, home to 202,000 residents. The overwhelming majority of the population consider themselves ethnically Sotho, and speak Sesotho, English, Zulu, and Xhosa. The country is predominantly Christian, with most people identifying as Protestant, Roman Catholic, and other denominations. About two-thirds of Lesotho consists of mountains, with its lowest point 1,400 meters above sea level. Tall mountain ranges form a natural barrier with South Africa. Lesotho is also the source of two of South Africa’s largest rivers: the Tugela River and the Orange River. With no other shared borders, Lesotho must depend heavily on a good relationship with South Africa.Since gaining independence from Britain in 1966, Lesotho has been transformed and modernized, yet not without some initial growing pains. A number of rebellions, military coups, and contentious elections have plagued the country. Lesotho has also struggled with high levels of poverty: More than half the population lives below the poverty line. There are few natural resources, and the country is susceptible to food insecurity and shortages. Many people cross the border to work in South Africa, as opportunities are lacking in Lesotho. Remittances account for 17 percent of the country’s GDP, highlighting the scope of the problem. Despite these challenges, Lesotho has made great progress in the area of education and is on track to achieve universal primary education.Lesotho has the second highest HIV/AIDS rate in the world—25 percent of the adult population is HIV positive—and it is the leading cause of death in the country. Other causes of death include tuberculosis, lower respiratory infections, stroke, diarrheal diseases, ischemic heart disease, diabetes, neonatal disorders, road injuries, interpersonal violence, and COPD. The risk factors that contribute most to deaths and disabilities include unsafe sex, malnutrition, air pollution, alcohol and tobacco use, high fasting plasma glucose, high body-mass index, high blood pressure, intimate partner violence, and insufficient water, sanitation, and hygiene. In addition, rates of maternal and infant mortality have remained high over the past decade.

Lesotho

The Republic of Liberia sits on the West African coast, bordered by Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Cote D’Ivoire. The nation has a small majority Christian population of about 5.2 million people, more than half of whom live in or around urban areas and in close proximity to the capital of Monrovia. The ethnically diverse population comprises groups including Kpelle, Bassa, Grebo, Gio, Mano, Kru, Morma, Kissi, Gola, Krahn, Vai, Mandingo, Gbandi, Mednde, and Sapo. As a result, Liberia offers great linguistic diversity, with as many as 30 different languages spoken in addition to English. The history of Liberia is unique; the country was founded by free people of color emigrating from the United States. As a result, Liberia is a country where both traditional and Western-influenced customs coexist.Liberia is Africa’s oldest republic and has never been ruled by a colonial power. The nation has a history of political instability, which has slowly improved over the decades. However, both unemployment and illiteracy are widespread, and around 50 percent of Liberians live below the poverty line.Liberians face a variety of health challenges. In 2014, a large Ebola outbreak occurred in Guinea and spread to neighboring Sierra Leone and Liberia. The virus infected more than 10,000 and killed nearly 5,000 Liberians. Despite the turmoil caused by Ebola, life expectancy in Liberia continues to improve significantly, having increased from 46 years in 1990 to 64 years in 2019. While overall health may be improving, most deaths in Liberia are caused by malaria, diarrheal disease, neonatal disorders, lower respiratory infections, ischemic heart disease, HIV/AIDS, stroke, tuberculosis, cirrhosis, and maternal disorders.

Liberia

The Republic of Madagascar is a large island country located about 400 kilometers off the coast of East Africa, in the Indian Ocean. The population of 27.5 million lives in predominantly rural areas and is made up of various ethnic groups, including Malayo-Indonesian, Cotiers, French, Indian, Creole, and Comoran. Malagasy, French, and English are all spoken, as are local languages. The people practice various forms of Christianity, Islam, and local indigenous religions. The country has diverse animal life, most notably 40 species of indigenous lemurs unique to Madagascar. Madagascar gained independence from France in 1960 and has since experienced several bouts of political turmoil and instability. A coup in 2009 resulted in a five-year political deadlock; in 2019 the election of a new president ended a decade of political uncertainty. Despite political issues, the country as a whole has made positive economic progress, and the agriculture sector, with crops such as rice, coffee, and vanilla, is the nation’s leading employer. Over 70 percent of the young Malagasy population lives in poverty. Health challenges include chronic malnutrition; nearly half of children under five years of age suffer from stunting. The country also experienced a measles outbreak in 2018 that infected tens of thousands of people. The leading causes of death include diarrheal diseases, lower respiratory infections, neonatal disorders, tuberculosis, malaria, and protein-energy malnutrition. Non-communicable diseases such as stroke, ischemic heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, and cirrhosis have notably increased and are increasingly among the top causes of death in Madagascar.

Madagascar

The Republic of Malawi, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, shares a border with Tanzania, Mozambique, and Zambia. Lake Nyasa, also known as Lake Malawi, takes up about a third of Malawi's area and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The country has a population of 20.3 million people, many of whom live in the highest-density, southern, rural parts of the country and close to Lake Nyasa. Most of the population is Christian and speak the Bantu languages of Chichewa, Chitumbuka, and Chiyao. English is the official language of Malawi.Formerly a colony of Britain, Malawi is politically stable and has implemented structural and economic reforms to sustain growth. Agriculture is the primary employer for 80 percent of Malawi’s people, with tobacco, sugar cane, tea, and corn among the biggest cash crops. Free primary education was made available in the mid-1990s, leading to increased school enrollment. As much as half of the population lives in poverty.Despite the challenges that poverty presents, there has been an increase in life expectancy, from 40 years to around 64 years between 2000 and 2019. The diseases causing the most deaths in Malawi include HIV/AIDS, neonatal disorders, lower respiratory infections, tuberculosis, diarrheal diseases, and meningitis. Non-communicable diseases have notably increased to cause significant deaths as well, with marked increases in stroke, ischemic heart disease, and cirrhosis. Malawi’s healthcare system might not be equipped to face some of these health challenges, as it is susceptible to shortages of supplies, drugs, and health workers. While Malawi initiated the Drug Revolving Funds to supply communities with medications at a discounted cost and has expanded training of health workers, the country is still in need of assistance.

Malawi

The Islamic Republic of Mauritania is located in the northwest of Africa, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Western Sahara, Algeria, Mali, and Senegal. The majority Muslim population of 4.1 million people is ethnically made up of Black and White Moors, Sub-Saharan Mauritanians, Halpulaar, Fulani, Soninke, Wolof, and Bambara ethnic groups. The official language is Arabic—however, French, Pular, Soninke, and Wolof are all widely spoken. About 90 percent of Mauritania’s land area is located in the Sahara Desert, and large swaths of the country are completely uninhabited. Most of the population lives in the southern half of the country, with about half the people living near and in the capital, Nouakchott. Mauritania was a French colony until it gained independence in 1960. A series of coups, periods of authoritarian military rule, and instability followed, and the country has often been criticized for a poor human rights record. There is little arable land in Mauritania but large expanses of pastoral land. As such, much of the economy is based on livestock and some agriculture, with other major industries being mining of iron ore, petroleum production, and fishing. The economy is vulnerable to international prices on food and commodities. Other risks include environmental fluctuations, such as drought in an already arid country. Mauritania relies heavily on foreign aid and investment: Approximately 31 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, with 10 percent of the population facing unemployment.Mauritania has experienced a drastic rise in mortality due to malaria between 2009 and 2019, with the rate of death increasing by over 400 percent. Other leading causes of death include neonatal disorders, ischemic heart disease, lower respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, stroke, road injuries, diabetes, cirrhosis, chronic kidney disease, maternal disorders, and tuberculosis. The risk factors that contribute most to deaths and disabilities include malnutrition, air pollution, high blood pressure, high body-mass index, dietary risks, high fasting plasma glucose, tobacco use, kidney dysfunction, non-optimal temperatures, and a lack of water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Mauritania

The Federated States of Micronesia comprise more than 600 small islands spread throughout the western Pacific, in Oceania. Nearby island neighbors include Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Guam, the Marianas, Nauru, and several others. The land mass of Micronesia, 271 square miles, is small compared to the amount of ocean it covers: more than 1 million square miles. Micronesia is made up of four major states: Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap. The population of 101,675 people lives mostly along the coasts of the larger islands, with about 23 percent in urban areas such as the capital of Palikar. The population is ethnically diverse, including Chuukese, Mortlockese, Pohnpeian, Kosraean, Yapese, and Yap outer islanders. The majority of Micronesians identify as Roman Catholic, with other Christian religions also well represented. English is the official language and it’s the language that’s most commonly spoken throughout the island nation.Micronesia was controlled by several countries during the 20th century, including Spain, Germany, Japan, and the United States. The U.S. was the last country to administer Micronesia until 1979, when independence was declared. Ties between the U.S. and Micronesia remain close, both politically and economically. Subsistence farming and fishing are the main sources of income for most people; however, much of the island’s food, manufactured goods, and fuel is imported to supplement local resources. Both the service sector and tourism have developed over time, albeit slowly.Micronesia faces health challenges with both communicable and non-communicable diseases. Obesity is prevalent in the small island nation, with 46 percent of the population considered obese. This has led to an increase in many non-communicable diseases, with ischemic heart disease, diabetes, stroke, chronic kidney disease, COPD, hypertensive heart disease, and cirrhosis as the cause of most deaths. Other major causes of death include lower respiratory infections, self-harm, and road injuries. Of note, death due to HIV/AIDS increased dramatically between 2009 and 2019, growing by over 200 percent. The risk factors that contribute most to deaths and disabilities include high body-mass index, high fasting plasma glucose, alcohol and tobacco use, high blood pressure, dietary risks, high LDL, kidney dysfunction, air pollution, unsafe sex, and malnutrition.

Micronesia

The Republic of Moldova is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. With Chisinau as its largest city and capital, the country is bordered by Romania to the west, and Ukraine to the north, east, and south. Predominantly influenced by the Eastern Orthodox Catholic Church, the Republic of Moldova has a proportionately older population of 3.3 million people, comprising ethnic groups such as Moldovan/Romanian, Ukrainian, Russian, Gagauz, and Bulgarian. The official language is Moldovan/Romanian, which also serves as the native language of about 82 percent of the population. Available natural resources include lignite, phosphorite, gypsum, limestone, and arable land.Formerly part of Romania, Moldova was incorporated into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Moldova gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and has been working toward successfully integrating into the European Union. Although economic reforms have been slow, largely due to corruption and strong political forces, there has been some market-oriented progress. The country’s economy is dependent on agriculture, specifically fruits, vegetables, and tobacco, making it one of the poorest countries in Europe with a small lower-middle-income economy. But Moldova has made significant progress in reducing poverty and promoting inclusive growth, as well as expanding the economy on average by 4.6 percent yearly for the past two decades.Since independence, Moldova has recorded a steady increase in the rates of both communicable and non-communicable diseases. Life expectancy hovers around 72 years, and the leading causes of death are ischemic heart disease, stroke, cirrhosis, hypertensive heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, COPD, lower respiratory infections, and self-harm. Heavy tobacco and alcohol use accounted for a total of 60 percent and 16 percent of male and female deaths respectively in 2010. Mortality due to non-communicable diseases has increased between 2009 and 2019, most notably hypertensive heart disease, which increased by over 95 percent.

Moldova

Called the “Land of Blue Sky,” with incredible natural features such as mountains in the north and the Gobi Desert in the south, Mongolia is also famous for having more horses than people. It’s a landlocked country in East Asia, bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south. While it does not officially border Kazakhstan, it is considered a close neighbor, being only 37 kilometers away in some areas. Mongolia’s population of just 3.2 million makes it the world’s most sparsely populated country; there are only two people per square kilometer. About half the population lives in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar, while 30 percent of Mongolians remain nomadic and semi-nomadic, with horse culture playing an important role in daily life. Mongolia’s ethnic majority is Khalkh, with smaller groups including Kazak, Dorvod, Bayad, Buryat-Gouriates, and Zahkchin. Languages spoken include Mongolian (Khalkha dialect), Turkic, and Russian. About 50 percent of the population is Buddhist, in addition to Muslim, Shamanist, and Christian. Nearly 40 percent of Mongolians do not identify with a specific religion. Mongolia has an ancient and rich history. The Mongol Empire, led by Genghis Khan, was once the largest empire in the world. Mongolia was absorbed by China but declared independence in 1921. By 1924, it had become a satellite of the Soviet Union. After anti-communist revolutions, a peaceful democratic revolution took place in 1990, and by 1992 Mongolia gained independence. Mongolia is rich in mineral deposits, such as copper, gold, coal, molybdenum, fluorspar, uranium, tin, and tungsten. The extractive industries helped switch the economy from primarily herding and agriculture, and now exports make up 40 percent of the Mongolian GDP. Education in Mongolia has greatly improved since 1921, when the country began building networks of public schools and providing free education. Since then, the networks of schools have expanded, and children are expected to attend school for at least 11 years. As a result, literacy is high, with 98 percent of the population over the age of 15 able to read and write.Over the past 30 years, Mongolia has made tremendous progress in health indicators. There has been a sharp decline in maternal mortality, which is still improving annually. Child mortality has been decreasing steadily since 1990, while life expectancy has been increasing. Leading causes of death in Mongolia include ischemic heart disease, stroke, liver cancer, cirrhosis, stomach cancer, road injuries, lung cancer, self-harm, alcohol use disorders, neonatal disorders, and lower respiratory infections. The risk factors that contribute most to deaths and disabilities include high blood pressure, dietary risks, alcohol and tobacco use, high body-mass index, air pollution, high LDL, malnutrition, kidney dysfunction, and high fasting plasma glucose.

Mongolia

The Kingdom of Morocco, in the northwest part of the Maghreb region of North Africa, shares borders with the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, Algeria, and Western Sahara. The population is about 36.6 million people, including those who live in Western Sahara, which is a disputed territory claimed and occupied primarily by Morocco. Morocco is ethnically homogeneous, with 99 percent of the population identifying as Arab-Berber. The country is also 99 percent Sunni Muslim. The most common languages spoken include the official languages, Arabic and Berber, as well as French, which is often used in business and government. As much as 64 percent of the population lives in urban centers, most densely along the coasts of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Casablanca, Rabat (the capital), Fes, Tangier, and Marrakech are some of the most populated cities. At certain points, Morocco is only eight miles away from Europe.Prior to 1956, Morocco was separated into French and Spanish protectorates. Since achieving independence, Morocco has emerged as a stable and growing country, with the fifth largest economy in Africa. Morocco is rich in resources and arable land. As such, it produces wheat, barley, and corn, and exports fruits and other commercial crops such as cotton, sugarcane, and sunflowers. Manufacturing also plays a major role in the Moroccan economy, accounting for one-sixth of the GDP. This includes food processing, the manufacturing of textiles, and iron and steel manufacturing. While education is mandatory for school-age children, access to schools is more consistent in urban areas. Rural areas have poor school attendance, resulting in lower-than-expected literacy rates across Morocco.The Moroccan government has emphasized preventive healthcare by establishing networks of health centers around the country. However, rural populations still lack access to health facilities and safe drinking water. Infant mortality rates remain disproportionately high, while one-third of the population suffers from malnutrition. Leading causes of death in Morocco include ischemic heart disease, stroke, hypertensive heart disease, chronic kidney disease, road injuries, diabetes, lower respiratory infection, COPD, lung cancer, neonatal disorders, and tuberculosis. The risk factors that contribute most to deaths and disabilities include high blood pressure, high body-mass index, high fasting plasma glucose, dietary risks, high LDL, air pollution, tobacco use, malnutrition, kidney dysfunction, occupational risks, and a lack of water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Morocco

Located on the coast of southwest Africa, the Republic of Mozambique is a large country of about 30.9 million people. As much as two-thirds of the Mozambican population live in rural areas and along its long coastline. Maputo, the capital, is located on the shore and is known for being a vibrant and lively tropical city. Nearly 99 percent of the population falls into a few major ethnic groups, including the Makhuwa, Tsonga, Lomwe, and Sena. Portuguese is the official language, but local languages are used as well. Mozambique is also a religiously diverse country, with a population that includes Roman Catholics, Muslims, Zionist Christians, Evangelicals, and Pentecostals.Ruled by Portugal in the colonial era, Mozambique experienced violent conflict during the latter half of the 20th century. In 1975, a temporary and controversial Marxist government held power. Over the past three decades, Mozambique has seen its economy grow steadily. Yet despite economic and political progress, Mozambique faces an Islamic rebellion in Cabo Delgado, which has contributed to instability. In addition, much of the country’s population is vulnerable to natural disasters such as cyclones and tropical storms. These factors, among others, have resulted in endemic poverty rates countrywide.Mozambique is challenged by a burden of disease that can be largely attributed to high poverty levels. Only 35 percent of the population is within 30 minutes of a health facility. As a result, diseases that cause the most deaths include HIV/AIDS, neonatal disorders, tuberculosis, malaria, lower respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, and protein-energy malnutrition. Additionally, stroke and ischemic heart disease have risen over time as the non-communicable diseases that contribute to the most deaths in Mozambique. Road injuries have also increased and pose a significant health challenge, becoming a top cause of death in the country.

Mozambique

Myanmar (also known as Burma) is located between Bangladesh and Thailand, and bordered by the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal. With an asymmetrically adult population, Myanmar has about 57.1 million people. Myanmar is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia. The more than 135 officially recognized and distinct ethnic groups are broadly categorized into eight major national groups: Bamar, Chin, Kachin, Kayin, Kayah, Mon, Arakanese, and Shan. Though there are more than 100 languages spoken in Myanmar, two-thirds of the nation’s population speak Burmese, the official language. With bustling markets, and numerous parks and lakes, Yangon is the country’s largest city, while Naypyidaw, called “the abode of kings,” is the capital. The main religions include Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism.Following Japanese occupation, Myanmar was reconquered by the Allies and granted independence in 1948. The country became a military dictatorship under the Burma Socialist Programme Party in 1962 after a coup d’etat. Since independence, civil wars have become a feature of the country’s sociopolitical landscape. Contributing to its vulnerability, Myanmar is prone to persistent and highly destructive natural disasters such as earthquakes, cyclones, flooding, and landslides. With a nominal per capita income of $1,400, unemployment nearing 37 percent, and 26 percent of people living in poverty, Myanmar is one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia.The life expectancy of the Burmese people is 67 years, the lowest in Southeast Asia. Despite a steady increase in health expenditures by the government in recent years, the health system is still weak due to decades of neglect. Non-communicable diseases increasingly contribute to the most deaths in the country, including stroke COPD, ischemic heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cirrhosis, and asthma. Other ailments such as lower respiratory infections, neonatal disorders, and diarrheal diseases continue to cause significant numbers of deaths. While incidence of death due to HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis has decreased over time, they still continue to pose a major threat to the country’s healthcare system, as well as being a significant cause of death.

Myanmar

The Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal is a landlocked Asian country flanked by China and India. Located in the Himalayas, Nepal is best known for its mountainous terrain, which includes the tallest peak in the world, Mount Everest. The predominantly Hindu nation is home to 30.4 million people, most of whom live in the southern plains region or the hilly central region. Nepal has an incredibly diverse population of 125 different ethnic and caste groups speaking 123 different languages.For the past several decades, Nepal has experienced periods of turmoil and change, including a Maoist insurgency and the abolition of its monarchy. The creation of a multiparty parliamentary system has resulted in greater political stability as well as opportunities to improve infrastructure and economic conditions. While the poverty rate has largely improved, dropping from 15 percent to 8 percent between 2010 and 2019, around 31 percent of people face significant risk of falling into extreme poverty, and substantial inequities persist in regard to urban-rural areas, gender, and caste.Free basic health services are available to all citizens, which may have contributed to improving health indicators. The country’s life expectancy has increased from 60 years to 71 years since the 1990s. Additionally, Nepal has made significant progress in reducing HIV and TB and is on track to be malaria-free by 2025. Non-communicable diseases increasingly contribute to the most deaths in the country, including COPD, ischemic heart disease, stroke, cirrhosis, asthma, and chronic kidney disease. Ailments such as lower respiratory infections, neonatal disorders, tuberculosis, and diarrheal diseases continue to cause significant deaths, but have decreased over time. Epidemics still occur frequently, leading to high rates of both morbidity and mortality. It should be noted that mental health challenges and depressive disorders also contribute greatly to disability in Nepal, with self-harm being a top cause of death.

Nepal

The Republic of Nicaragua, in Central America, between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, is bordered by Honduras to the northwest, the Caribbean to the east, Costa Rica to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest. Known for its dramatic terrain of lakes, volcanoes, and beaches, the country has a population of a little over 6.2 million people, with 74 percent age 15 and above. Nicaragua has a multiracial population comprising Africans, indigenous Europeans, and people of Asian heritage. Spanish is the official language. Managua is the country’s largest city and capital. Nicaragua’s constitution guarantees and promotes religious freedom and tolerance. Though Christianity is the dominant religion, the country has no official religion. The Republic of Nicaragua gained independence from Spain in 1821 and subsequently became an autonomous territory in 1860. Since independence, the country has faced the challenges of political instability, dictatorship, occupation, fiscal crises, riots such as the Nicaraguan Revolution of the 1960s and 1970s, and the Contra war of the 1980s. Nicaragua has one of the most constricted and challenged economies in the Americas. According to the United Nations Development Programme, 48 percent of the Nicaraguan population lives below the poverty line, with 79.9 percent living on less than $2 per day. With poverty and under-employment on the rise, Nicaragua remains the poorest country in Central America.The Nicaraguan population faces many challenges as a result of pervasive poverty and lacking economic development, including challenges in health. Life expectancy in Nicaragua is 74 years. Despite some improvements in health indicators, the main contributors to death in the country are predominantly non-communicable diseases, including ischemic heart disease, chronic kidney disease, stroke, diabetes, cirrhosis, COPD, Alzheimer’s disease, hypertensive heart disease, and congenital defects. Additionally, lower respiratory infections, road injuries, and neonatal disorders are significant causes of death.

Nicaragua

The Republic of Niger is a landlocked West African country with a population of about 23.6 million mostly living in rural areas. The country’s name stems from the presence of the Niger River that winds through the country. The Niger landscape is unique, composed predominantly of desert plains and sand dunes. The terrain is matched by a desert-like climate: hot, dry, and dusty, with extreme heat sometimes reaching 46 degrees Celsius. A predominantly Muslim country, Niger has a variety of linguistic groups, such as Hausa, a name which also refers to its largest ethnic group.Following its independence from France in 1960, the country experienced several periods of violence and coups. To this day, access to basic rights remains a problem in Niger; slavery was banned only in 2003. About 41 percent of the population live in extreme poverty.Despite extreme poverty, life expectancy and child mortality rates have been improving over the decades. The leading causes of death include diarrheal diseases, malaria, lower respiratory infections, neonatal disorders, measles, meningitis, tuberculosis, and invasive nontyphoidal salmonella (iNTS). Non-communicable diseases such as stroke, ischemic heart diseases, and congenital defects have also increased to contribute to a significant number of deaths over time. Malnutrition is the main risk factor for death and disability, as 46 percent of children under age five suffer from chronic malnutrition, and about 10 percent suffer from acute malnutrition. Pediatric ailments persist due to a young population, with death from neonatal disorders rising dramatically. Niger has the highest fertility rate in the world, with approximately seven children per woman.

Niger

Referred to as the “global giant of Africa,” the Federal Republic of Nigeria in West Africa borders Niger in the north, Chad in the northeast, Cameroon in the east, and Benin in the west. The capital is Abuja, while Lagos is the most populous city in the country, as well as one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. With an estimated 219.5 million people, Nigeria remains the most populous country in Africa and the seventh in the world. With almost 62 percent of the population under the age of 25, Nigeria is also the third largest youth-populated country in the world. Noted for its cultural diversity, the country comprises more than 250 ethnic groups that speak close to 500 different languages. Over 60 percent of the population is linked to the three major ethnic groups: the Yoruba in the west, Hausa-Fulani in the north, and Igbo in the east. English is the official and most widely spoken language. The country is divided nearly in half between Muslims who live predominantly in the north and Christians who live predominantly in the south. Nigeria gained independence in 1960 and faced post-independence civil unrest from 1970 until 1999, when a stable democracy was finally established. Before the civil war, the country was self-sufficient in food. Since then, the country’s agriculture sector has not kept pace with Nigeria’s rapid population growth, requiring significant food imports. Nigeria’s economy is the 24th largest in the world and the largest economy in Africa, with around $450 billion GDP. Nigeria is considered an emerging lower-middle-income economy, with a gross national income per capita of about $2,097. Religious violence dominated by the Boko Haram insurgency, political instability, income inequality, and ethnic conflict continue to undermine efforts in development. Despite these challenges, the economy continues to grow, significantly reducing poverty levels, and decreasing the number of people living below the poverty line from 61 percent in 2012 to 40 percent in 2020.Faced with the challenge of “brain drain” due to emigration, Nigeria’s healthcare system persistently contends with a scarcity of doctors. As a result, the country faces many health challenges, resulting in an alarmingly low life expectancy of 55 years. The leading causes of death in Nigeria are neonatal disorders, malaria, diarrheal diseases, lower respiratory infections, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, congenital defects, and meningitis. Non-communicable diseases such as ischemic heart disease and stroke have increased as major causes of death.

Nigeria

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan, in South Asia, borders the Arabian Sea and sits between India to the east, Iran and Afghanistan to the west, and China to the north. Besides being the 33rd largest country by area, Pakistan is also the world’s fifth most populous, with nearly 238.2 million people. Noted for its diverse ancient cultures, Pakistan has the second largest Muslim population in the world, with 96 percent of its people practicing Islam. Islamabad is the nation’s capital. The country is linguistically and ethnically diverse, with Punjabis, Pashtuns, Sindhis, Saraikis, and Muhajirs as the major ethnic groups. Over 60 languages are spoken, but Urdu and English are the official languages. Natural resources include limestone, arable land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited petroleum, coal, iron ore, copper, and salt.Pakistan gained independence in 1947 after the partition of the British Indian Empire. Noted for its nuclear power, Pakistan has the sixth-largest standing military in the world. The country is considered a strong emerging and growth-leading economy, due to its large and growing middle class. Despite this growth, Pakistan is faced with challenges such as illiteracy, corruption, and poverty.Pakistan has experienced a steady increase in both communicable and non-communicable diseases. The major infectious diseases include hepatitis A and E, bacterial diarrhea, typhoid fever, dengue fever, malaria, and rabies. The leading causes of death include neonatal disorders, ischemic heart disease, stroke, diarrheal diseases, lower respiratory infections, tuberculosis, COPD, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and cirrhosis. Pakistan has one of the highest rates of hepatitis C virus infection in the world, with about 4 percent to 5 percent of its population infected.

Pakistan

Papua New Guinea, formally known as the Independent State of Papua New Guinea and located in Oceania, is the third largest island country in the world. It is made up of the eastern half of New Guinea and several islands throughout Melanesia. The population of 7.4 million is believed to be one of the world’s most culturally diverse and socially complex, with ethnic groups including Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, and Polynesian. Papua New Guinea is home to 839 different indigenous languages, with English and Tok Pisin as the official languages. Only 14 percent of the population lives in urban areas, making Papua New Guinea one of the most rural countries in the world. Much of the population continues to live a traditional lifestyle, in varied settlement patterns.Papua New Guinea achieved independence from Australia in 1975; since then it has had difficulty governing its culturally diverse population, which is divided by customs, language, and traditions. The majority of the population is employed in the agricultural, forestry, and fishing industries, many of them at a subsistence level. Another major sector includes mineral and energy-resource extraction. Because the economy is resource-dominated, there are few opportunities for young people to pursue formal jobs.Papua New Guinea faces many health challenges. Residents have a high risk of major infectious diseases such as hepatitis A, typhoid fever, dengue and malaria. In addition, 28 percent of children under age five are underweight, one of the highest rates in the world. As such, life expectancy in Papua New Guinea is one of the lowest in the world, at 65 years. Between 2009 and 2019, the incidence of death due to diabetes increased substantially, by over 51 percent. Other leading causes of death include ischemic heart disease, lower respiratory infection, stroke, COPD, neonatal disorders, HIV/AIDS, diarrheal diseases, road injuries, and congenital defects. Malaria continues to be a leading cause of death, although the total number of deaths due to malaria has decreased by nearly 60 percent since 2009. The risk factors that contributemost to deaths and disabilities include malnutrition, air pollution, high fasting plasma glucose, tobacco use, lack of sanitation and clean water, dietary risks, high blood pressure, high body-mass index, unsafe sex, and high LDL.

Papua New Guinea

The Republic of the Philippines is an archipelago consisting of 7,640 islands in the western Pacific Ocean. It spans an area of 120,000 square miles, with maritime borders including the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, and Celebes Sea. It is located in what is called the “Ring of Fire,” making it susceptible to natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons. With a population of 110.8 million, it is the 13th most populous country in the world. Manila, the capital and one of the most densely populated cities in the world, is home to 14.6 million people. The Philippines is ethnically diverse: Tagalog, Bisaya/Binisaya, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon/Ilonggo, Bikol, and Waray are the predominant ethnic groups. Languages spoken include the official languages of Filipino and English, in addition to eight other common dialects: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan. The majority of the Filipino population is Roman Catholic, in contrast to many of its Southeast Asian neighbors, which practice Buddhism.A former colony of Spain, the Philippines achieved independence in 1946. Since then, it has been identified as an emerging economy that is rapidly growing. The country is largely agricultural and is one of the largest producers of coconuts and coconut products in the world. Other major crops include sugarcane, rice, bananas, corn, and pineapples. However, the Philippines is moving toward becoming a strong industrial and manufacturing power. With greater emphasis on education at the end of the 20th century, the Philippines established reputable public school and university systems. As a result, the country has some of the highest literacy rates in Asia. The Philippines is also supported by one of the largest emigrant populations in the world: over 2.2 million people whose remittances make up a significant portion of the economy.Despite being on a path toward development, the Philippines has many health challenges. Top causes of death include ischemic heart disease, stroke, lower respiratory infections, chronic kidney disease, tuberculosis, diabetes, neonatal disorders, hypertensive heart disease, COPD, and interpersonal violence. Mortality caused by non-communicable diseases has increased between 2009 and 2019, particularly chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and hypertensive heart disease. The risk factors that contribute most to deaths and disabilities include high blood pressure, malnutrition, dietary risks, air pollution, high fasting plasma glucose, high body-mass index, kidney dysfunction, alcohol and tobacco use, and high LDL.

Philippines

Filled with incredible wildlife and known for its variety of national parks, the Republic of the Congo is located on the western coast of Central Africa, bordered by Angola, Gabon, Cameroon, Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The population of 5.4 million resides mostly in the southern regions of the country, especially in the coastal area of Pointe-Noire, the second largest city after the capital, Brazzaville. Nearly 70 percent of the population lives in these two cities and along the railroad that connects them; the rest of the country is sparsely inhabited by contrast.The population comprises a variety of ethnic groups, including Kongo, Teke, Mbochi, Sangha, Mbere/Mbeti/Kele, Punu, Pygmy, Oubanguiens, Duma, and Makaa. About three-fourths of the population is Christian. Interestingly, about one-sixth of the land in the Congo is set aside for conservation.Formerly a French colony, Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo in 1960 when the country gained its independence. While poverty rates have decreased over time, they are still quite high: 41 percent in 2011 compared to 51 percent in 2005. Extreme poverty rates have increased due to a drop in the price of oil, a key Congolese export. Health and education remain underdeveloped and lacking throughout the country.The high poverty rate is reflected in the health of the population. Maternal and infant mortality are high: approximately 5 percent of children do not live to their fifth birthday. Chronic malnutrition affects 21 percent of children. Leading causes of death include HIV/AIDS, ischemic heart disease, stroke, malaria, lower respiratory infections, neonatal disorders, tuberculosis, diarrheal diseases, road injuries, diabetes, and cirrhosis. In addition to malnutrition, the risk factors that contribute most to deaths and disabilities include unsafe sex, air pollution, high blood pressure, high body-mass index, high fasting plasma glucose, dietary risks, alcohol and tobacco use, and insufficient water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Republic of the Congo

The Republic of Rwanda is a landlocked country just south of the equator in East-Central Africa. While small geographically, the country is home to 12.9 million people, making it one of Africa’s most densely populated countries. Rwanda has been highly influenced by Christianity. Its three official languages are Kinyarwanda, English, and French. Rwanda, also called “the land of a thousand hills,” is widely known for its nature and wildlife, especially the protected gorillas of Volcanoes National Park.Rwanda’s history has been marked by tension between the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups and the brutal genocide of the 1990s. Since the end of the genocide, Rwanda has undergone a period of reconstruction and worked to turn a new chapter, having greatly improved its political stability and economic conditions. This primarily agricultural country has significantly reduced its poverty rate from 77 percent to 55 percent between 2001 and 2017. Rwanda has also made improvements in its social policies, such as near-universal primary school enrollment. At its current rate, the country strives to reach middle-income status by 2035 and high-income status by 2050.For both males and females, life expectancy has steadily increased. Similarly, child mortality rates have declined by over two-thirds. While some health indicators have improved, the population experiences high levels of death caused by lower respiratory infections, neonatal disorders, tuberculosis, diarrheal diseases, malaria, and HIV/AIDS. Nearly 100 percent of the country is at risk of contracting malaria. Death due to non-communicable diseases is also significant, with congenital defects, stroke, ischemic heart disease, and cirrhosis causing substantial mortality. Rates of cirrhosis, which may be caused by excessive alcohol consumption, are significantly higher than those of other countries in the region. Road injuries also cause significant numbers of deaths in Rwanda.

Rwanda

The Republic of Senegal, in West Africa, is bordered by Mauritania in the north, Mali to the east, Guinea to the southeast, and Guinea-Bissau to the southwest. Senegal nearly surrounds The Gambia. Mostly Muslim, Senegal has a young population of 16.1 million people, with about 61 percent age 24 or younger. The country comprises diverse ethnic and linguistic communities, the largest being the Wolof, Fula, Serer, Mandinka, Jola, and Soninka, who speak their namesake languages as well as the country’s official language, French. Dakar is the capital, home to 3.2 million people.Senegal gained independence from France in 1960. It is one of the most stable democracies in the world and represents one of the more successful post-colonial democratic transitions in Africa. The country has a long history of participating in international peacekeeping and regional mediation. The main sources of employment and the driving forces of Senegal’s economy are mining, construction, tourism, fishing, and agriculture. Despite an economic growth rate of 7.2 percent, the high cost of electricity, an inefficient justice system, corruption, cumbersome bureaucratic systems, and a failing education sector present significant obstacles to Senegal’s economic development. Based on 2011 estimates, 47 percent of the population lives below the poverty line. Senegal is classified as a heavily indebted poor country, with a relatively low human development index.Despite its high poverty rates and low human development indicators, life expectancy continues to rise, nearing 68 years. Communicable and non-communicable diseases contribute the most to death in the country, including neonatal disorders, ischemic heart disease, lower respiratory infections, malaria, diarrheal diseases, stroke, tuberculosis, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cirrhosis, congenital defects, HIV/AIDS, and meningitis. Between 2009 and 2019, mortality due to non-communicable diseases has increased on average, while mortality due to communicable diseases has decreased. The risk factors that contribute most to deaths and disabilities include malnutrition, air pollution, insufficient water and sanitation, high blood pressure, high fasting plasma glucose, high body-mass index, dietary risks, tobacco use, kidney dysfunction, and unsafe sex.

Senegal

Located on West Africa’s coast, the Republic of Sierra Leone has a population of about 6.8 million people. The Portuguese origins of the country’s name translates to “Lion Mountains,” referencing the hills that surround the capital of Freetown, one the largest natural harbors in the world. The primarily agricultural country has deposits of gold, diamonds, bauxite, and rutile. Large ethnic groups include the Mende and the Temne; English and Krio are the nation’s official languages.The country continues to recover from a devastating civil war that ended in 2002. Since then, Sierra Leone has had significant and impressive economic growth and was on track to reach middle-income status by 2035. However, progress was hindered by an Ebola outbreak in 2014 that infected more than 14,000 and killed nearly 4,000 people. The country is still recovering from this crisis.While life expectancy continues to increase in Sierra Leone, it is still one of the lowest in the world at around 55 years. Likewise, although child mortality continues to decrease, the maternal mortality rate remains one of the highest in the world. The country has significantly higher rates of malaria than other countries in the same region. While some progress has been made to address illness and disease, the impact of the civil war left the country with a debilitated health system, tens of thousands of war amputees, and shortages of equipment, supplies, and doctors. Both communicable and non-communicable diseases such as malaria, lower respiratory infections, neonatal disorders, ischemic heart disease, diarrheal diseases, stroke, HIV/AIDS, congenital defects, tuberculosis, and meningitis cause the most deaths in Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone

Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in the Melanesia subregion of Oceania in the Western Pacific Ocean. It comprises six major islands and over 900 smaller islands largely located to the east of Papua New Guinea. Honiara, the capital, is situated on Guadalcanal, the largest island, and its bustling central market showcases the islands’ produce and traditional handicrafts. The other principal urban centers include Gizo, Auki, and Kirakira. The population is young: 53 percent of Solomon Islands’ 690,598 people are under 24. There are over 80 spoken local languages and dialects in Solomon Islands, with English designated as the official language and Melanesian pidgin as the lingua franca. Solomon Islanders are predominantly Christians of various denominations, with about 5 percent of the population maintaining traditional beliefs.Solomon Islands gained self-government in 1976, and two years later attained independence. Having endured a five-year ethnic conflict on Guadalcanal, spanning 1999 to 2003, coupled with frequent natural disasters such as cyclones and earthquakes, the country has faced serious economic, political, and environmental challenges. While efforts are being made to improve economic conditions, the situation remains unstable. Over 75 percent of Solomon Islanders work in agriculture and engage in subsistence farming and fishing. The nation, however, is rich in underdeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and gold.There are only two fully trained doctors for every 10,000 people in Solomon Islands, and a lack of other properly trained healthcare workers, including nurses. Non-communicable diseases account for 60 percent of total deaths, while communicable diseases are responsible for about 35 percent of deaths. The most common diseases that contribute most substantially to mortality are ischemic heart disease, stroke, lower respiratory infections, diabetes, diarrheal diseases, COPD, road injuries, breast cancer, self-harm, cirrhosis, neonatal disorders, and malaria.

Solomon Islands

The Republic of South Sudan is a landlocked nation in East-Central Africa whose bordering neighbors are Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and the Central African Republic. South Sudan is one of the most culturally diverse countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with a population of about 11 million people and more than 60 different major ethnic groups. About 20 percent of the population lives in urban areas, including Juba, the capital. South Sudan is also home to the second largest animal migration in the world: a significant movement of antelopes, specifically the tiang and white-eared kob.South Sudan is also Africa’s newest country, a distinction achieved after it won independence from Sudan in July 2011. The country’s newfound nationhood followed an agreement that ended Africa's longest-running civil war. Yet the violent conflict did not stop: In 2013, another civil war broke out, leading to large-scale conflict that devastated the economy. During the war, more than a third of the population was forced to leave their homes, resulting in a poverty rate that rose from 51 percent to 82 percent between 2009 and 2016.The ongoing instability has affected health in South Sudan. Severe acute food insecurity is pervasive, and more than half the population requires some form of humanitarian assistance. The average life expectancy is only 58 years, and the under-five mortality rate is about 91 deaths per 1,000 live births. Diseases contributing to the most deaths in South Sudan include neonatal disorders, lower respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, protein-energy malnutrition, and meningitis. Non-communicable diseases such as congenital defects, stroke, and ischemic heart disease have also increased, causing significant deaths in the country. Overall, the healthcare system suffers from an extreme shortage of professionals, forcing the country at times to rely on inadequately trained or low-skilled health workers. The country's hospital infrastructure remains insufficiently developed.

South Sudan

Formerly known as Ceylon, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a South Asian island nation located in the Indian Ocean. Because of its unique location off the southern coast of India, it has been nicknamed the “Teardrop of India.” The population of 23 million people is distributed around the island, with larger concentrations in the southwest, in metropolitan areas along the eastern coast, and in the north. Colombo, the capital, is home to 619,000 people. The population is ethnically diverse, with the majority being Sinhalese. Other ethnic groups include Sri Lankan Tamil, Sri Lankan Moor, and Indian Tamil. The official languages of Sri Lanka are Sinhala and Tamil, while English is also spoken as a secondary language. As much as 70 percent of the population identifies as Buddhist, while smaller portions are Hindu, Muslim, Roman Catholic, and Christian. Sri Lanka is home to the oldest tree ever planted by a human, the 2,300-year-old Sri Maha Bodhi tree. Sri Lanka gained independence from British rule in 1948. It remained part of the British Commonwealth until 1972. A 26-year civil war ended in 2009. Since then, Sri Lanka has become a leader in Asia, with one of the highest ratings on the human development index among South Asian countries. The education system in Sri Lanka is well established, providing free universal primary and secondary education. As much as 85 percent of the population is literate. The main economic sectors include tourism, clothing production, and the agricultural production of crops such as rice. Sri Lanka is known for its tea, and it is the world’s largest tea exporter.Sri Lanka’s government-sponsored health system is well established and free. Because of the extensive network of hospitals throughout the country, overall health conditions in Sri Lanka have greatly improved, and life expectancy is 10 percent higher than the world average. Non-communicable diseases contribute to the most deaths, including ischemic heart disease, stroke, diabetes, asthma, chronic kidney disease, COPD, cirrhosis, and Alzheimer’s disease. Lower respiratory infections, self-harm, and conflict also continue to be leading causes of death. The risk factors that contribute most to deaths and disabilities include high fasting plasma glucose, high blood pressure, high body-mass index, dietary risks, alcohol and tobacco use, air pollution, high LDL, kidney dysfunction, and malnutrition. Notably, Sri Lanka has the highest number of deaths in Asia due to suicide.

Sri Lanka

The Republic of the Sudan is a country located in Northeast Africa, bordered by Egypt, Libya, Chad, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and the Red Sea. It is the third largest country by area in Africa. The population of 46.8 million people lives mostly in the southern half of the country, with about 36 percent of the population living in urban areas such as the capital of Khartoum. The population is predominantly ethnically Sudanese Arab, in addition to Fur, Beja, Nuba, and Fallata. The majority of the Sudanese population identifies as Sunni Muslim, with a small unspecificed Christian minority. Arabic and English are the official languages and are most commonly spoken throughout the country, in addition to Nubian, Ta Bedawie, and Fur. While neighboring Egypt is more famous for its pyramids, Sudan is home to the world’s largest number of pyramids in a single country: around 200–250 structures.Sudan became an independent country in 1956, and has since experienced decades of conflict and political unrest. A long, deadly civil war between the north and south of the country carried on from 1955–1972, pausing for a few short years before resuming again from 1983 until 2005. In 2005, the conflict ceased, the southern part of the country was granted autonomy, and a referendum in support of South Sudan’s independence came into effect in 2011. As a result of this long history of conflict and Southern secession, Sudan has experienced significant economic instability and inflation. In addition, Sudan is home to large groups of refugees and internally displaced persons, putting more pressure on an already strained country.Sudan’s history of conflict has also impacted the health of the population. Life expectancy is low, at 65 years. Other challenges include one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. Leading causes of death include both communicable and non-communicable diseases, including ischemic heart disease, neonatal disorders, stroke, congenital defects, road injuries, hypertensive heart disease, lower respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, HIV/AIDS, chronic kidney disease, and COPD. The risk factors that contribute most to deaths and disabilities include malnutrition, high blood pressure, air pollution, high body-mass index, dietary risks, high fasting plasma glucose, insufficient clean water and sanitation, tobacco use, high LDL, and kidney dysfunction.

Sudan

The Kingdom of Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is a mountainous, landlocked country in Southern Africa, with neighbors that include Mozambique and South Africa. It is one of the smallest countries in Africa, but despite its small size, it is home to a diverse geography and climate. Because of Eswatini’s mountainous geography, the population is unevenly distributed, with most people living in homestead settlements called imithi located in valleys and plains. About 25 percent of the population lives in urban areas, including Mbabane, the capital, home to 68,000 people. The country’s population of 1.1 million are majority ethnically Swazi, with English and siSwati as both the common and official languages. About 90 percent of the population identifies as Christian.Eswatini is governed by an absolute monarchy. Formerly a protectorate of Britain, Eswatini gained independence in 1968. Since then, the country has suffered from high rates of poverty, with nearly 60 percent of the population living below the poverty line as of 2017. Poverty is exacerbated by weak economic growth, high rates of unemployment, inequality, extreme weather events, and one of the world’s highest rates of HIV/AIDS.Eswatini faces several health challenges. The population has a life expectancy of 60 years, one of the lowest in the world. Contributing to this alarmingly low life expectancy is a high burden of infectious disease. While death due to HIV/AIDS decreased by over 60 percent between 2009 and 2019, it remains the top cause of death in the country. Other leading causes of death in Eswatini include lower respiratory infections. diabetes, tuberculosis, stroke, ischemic heart disease, diarrheal diseases, neonatal disorders, road injuries, and chronic kidney disease. The risk factors that contribute most to deaths and disabilities include unsafe sex, malnutrition, high body-mass index, insufficient clean water and sanitation, high fasting plasma glucose, air pollution, high blood pressure, alcohol use, dietary risks, and intimate partner violence.

Swaziland

One of Africa’s most stable and democratic countries, the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe is located in the Gulf of Guinea, off the western equatorial coast of Central Africa. The people of this island country are predominantly Christian with a Catholic majority. The population is young, with 61 percent of Sao Tome and Principe’s 213,948 people under the age of 25. About 98 percent of residents of Sao Tome and Principe speak Portuguese, the official and de facto national language. With a population comprising descendants of immigrant Europeans and African slaves, Sao Tome and Principe has Mesticos, Angolares, Forros, Servicias, Tongas, Europeans, and Asians as its major ethnic groups.Sao Tome and Principe gained independence in 1975. The country has a relatively small economy and is dependent on the export of cocoa beans, which in recent times has substantially declined due to drought and mismanagement. The country is import-dependent, with real GDP growth of 3.9 percent, dropping from 4.2 percent in 2016. Per capita GDP is $2,157. The country has considerable potential for developing tourism and petroleum resources, but these are yet to be explored. Close to 66 percent of the Sao Tomean population live below the poverty line. Despite this fact, 97 percent of the population has access to clean drinking water.The population of Sao Tome and Principe face many challenges as a result of high poverty rates, including challenges in health. Non-communicable and communicable diseases such as ischemic heart disease, lower respiratory infections, stroke, chronic kidney disease, cirrhosis, COPD, neonatal disorders, asthma, road injuries, tuberculosis, malaria, and diarrheal diseases are the cause of most deaths in Sao Tome and Principe. While some communicable diseases have decreased on average, particularly malaria and diarrheal diseases, they continue to be significant contributors to deaths in the country.

São Tomé and Príncipe

The Republic of Tajikistan is a mountainous, landlocked country in Central Asia. The country's history is ancient: The Silk Road once passed through Tajikistan. In a population of 9 million people, 90 percent live in lower elevations, predominantly in settlements called qishlaqs, with population density increasing from east to west. The population is overwhelmingly of the Tajik ethnicity, and the majority of Tajikistanis are Muslim. The nation is rich in mineral resources such as iron, lead, zinc, salt, fluorite, and precious stones.The country is relatively young, having broken off from the Soviet Union in 1991. Shortly after independence, anti-government demonstrations sparked a five-year civil war ending in 1997. Despite the turmoil, Tajikistan has since increased its political stability and made significant economic progress. Over two decades, from 2000 to 2018, the country dramatically decreased poverty rates from 83 percent to 27 percent.Tajikistan must still work to repair its healthcare system after infrastructure damage from the civil war and decades of underinvestment. The country continues to have the lowest health expenditure in the WHO European Region. Since its civil war, Tajikistan has made gains in life expectancy, hitting a plateau of around 71 years. Likewise, the under-five mortality rate has improved, dropping from over 90 deaths per 1,000 live births in the early 1990s to under 50 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2019. Lower respiratory infections, neonatal disorders, and diarrheal diseases continue to cause a significant number of deaths, but have improved over time. Significantly, non-communicable diseases contribute most to death in Tajikistan, with ischemic heart disease, stroke, cirrhosis, congenital defects, diabetes, hypertensive heart disease, stomach cancer, and COPD causing the most deaths.

Tajikistan

Located on the coast of East Africa, the United Republic of Tanzania is home to 62.1 million people representing more than 120 local indigenous groups. Formerly two separate nations, Tanganyika and Zanzibar unified in 1964 to become modern- day Tanzania, where English and Swahili are the country’s official languages. Most of Tanzania’s diverse population can be found living in the rural part of the country, while approximately 34 percent are in urban centers. The country’s incredible natural features include Mount Kilimanjaro, diverse wildlife, and several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Tanzania’s rich history dates back 1.75 million years, with Olduvai Gorge being the site of some of the oldest-known human ancestor remains.Since its formation, the country has seen improvements in its economic conditions and political stability. Tanzania still faces a variety of development challenges such as poor infrastructure, low education levels, and disparities in population health. Additionally, there exist significant social and economic inequities between urban and rural populations regarding access to opportunity and basic services, such as access to clean water.The Tanzanian government is both the major provider and financier of health services in the country. The national Tanzanian health system supports local village-based health centers, while larger, more advanced hospitals are located in urban areas. Health indicators such as life expectancy and under-five and under-one mortality rates have improved over time, but challenges to health in the region persist. Diseases among the top causes of death in Tanzania include neonatal disorders, lower respiratory infections, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, diarrheal diseases, and protein- energy malnutrition. Increasingly, non-communicable diseases such as congenital defects, stroke, ischemic heart diseases, and cirrhosis have increased over time to also contribute substantially as top causes of death in Tanzania. To address major health challenges in the country, national health policies have focused on preventive medicine and health.

Tanzania

The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (also known as East Timor), in Southeast Asia, is made up of several islands, including the eastern half of Timor, Atauro, and Jaco. Australia is Timor-Leste’s neighbor to the south, separated by the Timor Sea. Timor-Leste’s predominantly mountainous terrain is home to 1.4 million people, with most living in the western portion of the country in or around the capital of Dili. The Timorese population is ethnically diverse, including groups such as Austronesian, Melanesia-Pauan, Bunak, Fataluku, Bakasai, Tetun, Mambai, Tokodede, Galoli, Kemak, and Baikeno. Because of this diversity, the population speaks a variety of languages including the official languages of Tetun and Portuguese alongside English, Indonesian, and 32 other indigenous languages. The vast majority of the population, as much as 98 percent, identifies as Roman Catholic.East Timor was at one time colonized by Portugal and was called Portuguese Timor. It gained independence in 1975, only to be invaded by Indonesia shortly thereafter. The Indonesian occupation lasted for several violent decades, as East Timor struggled for true independence. In 1999, Indonesia relinquished control of East Timor, and Timor-Leste was named a sovereign state in 2002. Despite being a relatively new country with an impoverished population, progress has been made on Timorese living standards. Overall poverty levels decreased from 50 percent to 42 percent between 2007 and 2014. Agriculture is a major component of the Timorese economy, and employs a majority of the population. However, in terms of value, offshore natural gas deposits and hydrocarbon production make up the largest portion of the economy.Timor-Leste is characterized by a high population growth rate, about 2.2 percent annually. This has resulted in a young population, with 40 percent of Timorese under the age of 15. Average life expectancy has increased to 69 by 2019. Most common causes of death include stroke, ischemic heart disease, lower respiratory infection, neonatal disorders, COPD, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, diarrheal diseases, chronic kidney disease, cirrhosis, congenital defects, and malaria. The risk factors that contribute most to deaths and disabilities include malnutrition, air pollution, high blood pressure, dietary risks, high fasting plasma glucose, kidney dysfunction, insufficient sanitation and clean water, high LDL, alcohol and tobacco use, unsafe sex, and occupational risks.

Timor-Leste

Sandwiched between Ghana and Benin in West Africa, the Togolese Republic (Togo) is one of the smallest countries on the continent. It boasts a rapidly increasing population of 8.3 million people representing at least 37 different ethnic groups. While many people speak one of the four major Togolese languages, French is the official language of the country. Togo boasts a wide array of natural landscapes, including beaches, forests, hills, and savannas.Since gaining independence in 1960—after control by German, French, and British governments—Togo has struggled to maintain consistent economic and political stability and experiences occasional demonstrations, strikes, and marches. And while poverty has decreased by several percentage points over the past two decades, it is still widespread, especially in rural areas, where about 70 percent of households live below the poverty line. Togo’s economy is based mainly on agriculture, with nearly 60 percent of the workforce employed in the subsistence and commercial farming of crops such as coffee, cocoa, cotton, yams, cassava, corn, beans, rice, millet, and sorghum. Togo is also a mining nation with large quantities of phosphate.Life expectancy in Togo has increased significantly, from age 53 to 61, between 2000 and 2018. Similarly, under-five mortality rates decreased from 141 to 63 deaths per 1,000 live births between 1990 and 2019. While these are overall improvements, the population is still vulnerable to poor health. Currently, leading causes of death in Togo include diseases such as diarrheal diseases, malaria, neonatal disorders, lower respiratory infections, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis. However, non-communicable diseases have also increased substantially in recent years, and top causes of death now include ischemic heart disease, stroke, and cirrhosis. Trauma and mortality from road injuries are also significant.

Togo

The Republic of Tunisia, in North Africa, is bordered by Algeria, Libya, and the Mediterranean Sea. Geographically diverse, Tunisia is home to part of the Atlas Mountain range as well as the Sahara Desert. The city of Cape Angela is located on the coast and is the northernmost point on the African continent, while Tunis is its largest city and also the capital. The population of 11.8 million people is predominantly ethnically Arab and identifies as Sunni Muslim. Arabic is the official language, while French and Berber are also spoken widely throughout the country. As much as 70 percent of the population lives in urban areas, specifically in the northern half of the country. The southern half remains sparsely populated. Tunisia was a French colony from 1881 until it declared independence in 1957. In 2011, the Tunisian Revolution took place in reaction to the lack of freedom and democracy under the prolonged rule of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali—an event that ignited the Arab Spring across the region. Despite this political turmoil, Tunisia is one of the few countries in Africa ranking high on the human development index, and has one of the highest GDPs per capita on the African continent. Education is free and mandatory for school-aged children. Tunisia’s national health system provides nearly the entire population with access to quality medical care. Hospitals and clinics contribute to rising health indicators, such as one of the lowest infant mortality rates in Africa. Life expectancy has increased substantially as well and is projected to continue rising. While most people in Tunisia enjoy relatively good health, non-communicable diseases cause the majority of deaths in the country. Leading causes of death include ischemic heart disease, stroke, hypertensive heart disease, chronic kidney disease, Alzheimer’s disease, lung cancer, road injuries, lower respiratory infections, COPD, diabetes, and neonatal disorders. The risk factors that contribute most to deaths and disabilities include high blood pressure, high body-mass index, high fasting plasma glucose, tobacco use, dietary risks, high LDL, air pollution, kidney dysfunction, malnutrition, non-optimal temperature, and occupational risks.

Tunisia

The Republic of Uganda, landlocked in East-Central Africa, has a large and burgeoning population of about 44.7 million people.The population density of Uganda is high relative to other African countries, and many people live in the capital city of Kampala, in the central and southern regions, and along the shorelines of Lake Albert and Lake Victoria. English is the official language, with Swahili also widely spoken. This scenic nation is known for Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa.After the country won its independence from Britain in 1962, Uganda experienced a period of political instability and violence, but things have improved significantly since the 1980s. Poverty was reduced by half between 1992 and 2013, mainly due to the growth and development of the agriculture sector, which now employs as much as 70 percent of Ugandans. The country’s population is one of the youngest and most rapidly increasing in the world. This is fueled by a high fertility rate—5.8 children per woman. However, Uganda faces specific challenges when it comes to its economy, education, livelihood, and especially health.Uganda has some of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, and one-third of children under five are stunted due to malnutrition. However, the Ugandan government has significantly improved the country’s health infrastructure, supplies, and training. The result: A decrease in the under-five mortality rate—from about 162 deaths down to 58 deaths per 1,000 live births between 1990 and 2019—and an overall improvement in life expectancy. While improvements have been made to health, diseases such as neonatal disorders, malaria, HIV/AIDS, lower respiratory infections, tuberculosis, stroke, diarrheal diseases, ischemic heart disease, congenital defects, and meningitis cause the most deaths in the country. Notably, sexually transmitted infections are also a top cause of death in Uganda, and have increased over time.

Uganda

Ukraine is the second largest country in Europe, bordered by Russia, Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, the Sea of Azov, and the Black Sea. Home to seven World Heritage Sites, and also the presumed geographical center of the European continent, Ukraine has the eighth highest population in Europe, with approximately 43.7 million people. About 70 percent of the population lives in urban areas, including major metropolitan centers such as Kharkiv, Odessa, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, and the capital, Kyiv. The majority of the population is ethnically Ukrainian, but other groups include Russian, Belarusian, Moldovan, Crimean Tata, Bulgarian, Hungarian, Romanian, Polish, and Jewish. The country is majority Christian, with two-thirds identifying as Orthodox. Languages spoken include Ukrainian, the official language, and Russian.Ukraine became independent from the Soviet Union in 1991. Since the early 1990s, the country has experienced volatile growth but also had a significant economic downturn in 2009. Russia’s occupation of Crimea, and conflict in the eastern end of Ukraine, have contributed to Ukraine’s economic struggles. It is considered to be the poorest country in Europe, with high rates of poverty and corruption. Ukraine is one of the world’s largest exporters of grain, with other major crops including potatoes, sugar beets, and sunflower oil.The Ukrainian population suffers from heavy alcohol consumption, one of the highest per capita rates in the world. As a result, cirrhosis is a top cause of death. Other leading causes of death include ischemic heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, Alzheimer's disease, cardiomyopathy, colorectal cancer, COPD, and stomach cancer. The risk factors that contribute to the most deaths and disabilities include high blood pressure, dietary risks, high LDL, high body-mass index, alcohol and tobacco use, high fasting plasma glucose, air pollution, kidney dysfunction, and non-optimal temperature.

Ukraine

The Republic of Uzbekistan, in Central Asia, is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Kyrgyzstan to the northeast, Tajikistan to the southeast, Afghanistan to the south, and Turkmenistan to the southwest. A former Soviet republic, Uzbekistan is known for its mosques, mausoleums, and other sites linked to the Silk Road, the ancient trade route between China and the Mediterranean. Its capital is Tashkent. Though there are recognized regional languages such as Karakalpak, the official language is Uzbek. Uzbekistan’s population of 30.8 million people is 50 percent urban and 50 percent rural. Islam is the predominant religion; 92 percent of the population is Muslim. Uzbekistan is a significant producer of gold and has the largest open-pit gold mine in the world, in addition to substantial deposits of silver, strategic minerals, gas, and oil.The country broke from the Soviet Union in 1991. As a sovereign state, Uzbekistan is a secular, unitary constitutional republic. Since independence, Uzbekistan has been slow to transform to a market economy. Its restrictive trade regime and generally interventionist policies continue to have a negative effect on the economy. The nation’s GDP declined during the first years of transition and then recovered after 1995 due to a considerable reduction of inflation and budget deficit. The economy showed robust growth, rising by 4 percent per year between 1998 and 2003; in 2011, growth rose to 9 percent. The total number of people employed also rose from 8.5 million in 1995 to 13.5 million in 2011. Despite this achievement, unemployment increased to 5.5 percent in 2019.Uzbekistan boasts a large network of rural medical facilities. However, the healthcare system, and particularly its infrastructure, could benefit from more investment. Uzbekistan’s life expectancy has improved over time, and is roughly 72 years. The under-five mortality rate has also improved, dropping from over 62 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2000, to 17 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2019. Among the most common diseases are those associated with polluted drinking water, such as typhoid, hepatitis, dysentery, and cholera. That aside, the leading causes of death are ischemic heart disease, stroke, cirrhosis, lower respiratory infections, diabetes, neonatal disorders, road injuries, chronic kidney disease, self-harm, hypertensive heart disease, and tuberculosis. Recent records show that there were 892 diet-related deaths per 100,000 people a year when reported in 2019, the highest in the world.

Uzbekistan

The Republic of Vanuatu, an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, consists of 13 main islands and many more smaller ones. Distant neighbors include Australia, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Fiji. Vanuatu is home to active volcanoes, including Yasur, one of the most active volcanoes in the world. The population of about 300,000 is majority ethnic Melanesian, and they speak more than 100 local languages, in addition to Bislama, English, and French. As much as 70 percent of the population identifies as Protestant, with a smaller proportion of Roman Catholics. Over two-thirds of Vanuatu’s population lives in rural areas; urban dwellers reside in the capital of Port-Vila and in Luganville.During its colonial history, Vanuatu was colonized and governed by Spain in the 1600s, and later France and the United Kingdom. However, a movement for independence started in the 1970s, and by 1980 the Republic of Vanuatu was established. Since then the economy has remained grounded in small-scale and subsistence agriculture, with a few larger commodities such as kava, beef, copra, timber, and cocoa. However, because of climate instability and fluctuations in commodity prices, the country is diversifying its economy with manufacturing, service-sector businesses, and tourism.Residents and visitors to Vanuatu face a high risk of infectious diseases, such as malaria and bacterial diarrhea. These have decreased over time, but continue to contribute to the leading causes of death in the country. In addition, non-communicable diseases have increased substantially over time as causes of the most deaths in Vanuatu. These include ischemic heart disease, stroke, diabetes, COPD, and chronic kidney disease. The risk factors that contribute most to deaths and disabilities include high blood pressure, air pollution, high fasting plasma glucose, high body-mass index, dietary risks, malnutrition, tobacco use, high LDL levels, kidney dysfunction, and insufficient sanitation and clean water.

Vanuatu

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam, in Southeast Asia, is on the eastern edge of the Indo-Chinese Peninsula. Vietnam is bordered by China, Laos, and Cambodia. It is the sixteenth most populous country in the world, with 102.8 million people. About 38 percent of the population lives in urban areas, such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, and Hanoi, the capital. Major ethnic groups include Kinh (Viet), with smaller groups being Tay, Thai, Muong, Khmer, Mong, Nung, and Hoa. About 80 percent of the population does not identify with any particular religion, but small portions do identify as Buddhist, Catholic, Hoa Hao, Cao Dai, and Protestant. English and Vietnamese are the most commonly spoken languages. Vietnam is known for intriguing geographical features; at its narrowest point, the country is only 50 kilometers wide. It is also home to the world’s largest cave.North and South Vietnam unified after the Vietnam War in 1975, and the country has since grown substantially, with one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Tourism, manufacturing, and exports have led to increasing per capita GDP. Poverty rates have decreased from over 70 percent to around 6 percent since political and economic reforms were launched in 1986. Improvements have been made across many sectors, including education and health. Literacy rates are high due to the strong network of public schools, while life expectancy has also steadily increased. However, corruption runs rampant and continues to be a persistent issue.Alongside progress in poverty reduction, Vietnam has made tremendous gains in addressing major health issues. Rates of malaria have decreased substantially, and illness due to poor sanitation has also decreased as more people gain access to clean water. In addition, tuberculosis remains a persistent health concern and a leading cause of death. Other leading causes of death include stroke, ischemic heart disease, diabetes, COPD, lung cancer, road injuries, cirrhosis, chronic kidney disease, lower respiratory infections, Alzheimer’s disease, and hypertensive heart disease. The risk factors that contribute most to deaths and disabilities include high blood pressure, high fasting plasma glucose, dietary risks, air pollution, alcohol and tobacco use, high body-mass index, kidney dysfunction, occupational risks, high LDL, and malnutrition.

Vietnam

Formerly known as Northern Rhodesia, Zambia became a republic upon gaining independence from Britain in 1964. Located in Southern Africa, Zambia features rugged terrain, diverse wildlife, parks, and safari areas. It is a landlocked nation that shares borders with eight countries, including Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. Located at its border with Zimbabwe is Victoria Falls, locally called Mosi-Oa-Tunya, and one of Africa’s most famous natural features and tourist destinations. Lusaka is Zambia’s capital and largest city and one of the fastest developing cities in the Southern African Development Community. The country’s 19.1 million people, all of them members of the Bantu family, speak several major indigenous languages, while also using English as the official language. Boasting a relatively stable democracy since 1991, Zambia’s government has peacefully transferred among three political parties: UNIP, MMD, and PF. The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has consistently put Zambia among the top 10 most democratic African countries. Zambia attained middle-income status in 2011 and was regarded as one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa. However, in recent times, declining copper prices, significant fiscal deficits, and energy shortages have stalled Zambia’s economic performance. Unemployment and under-employment are major issues and Zambia’s per capita GDP stands at $1051 as of 2020. In 2000, the agriculture sector represented 20 percent of Zambia’s GDP and accounted for 85 percent of its employment.Zambia’s life expectancy of 64 years shows a continuous improvement. But communicable and non-communicable diseases continue to present a challenge to the health of the country, contributing to significant death and disability. Major causes of death include HIV/AIDS, neonatal disorders, stroke, lower respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, tuberculosis, ischemic heart disease, malaria, cirrhosis, hypertensive heart disease, and meningitis. Deaths due to non-communicable diseases have increased substantially between 2009 and 2019, particularly stroke and hypertensive heart disease, which both rose by over 50 percent.

Zambia

With dramatic landscapes and diverse wildlife filling its parks and reserves, the Republic of Zimbabwe is known for its stunning natural beauty. Prior to its independence in 1980, the country had been known by several names: Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia, and Zimbabwe Rhodesia. Officially referred to as the Republic of Zimbabwe, this landlocked country is located in Southern Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers. The country has reserves of metallurgical-grade chromite and other commercial mineral deposits such as coal, asbestos, copper, nickel, gold, platinum, and iron ore. Zimbabwe has a population of about 14.8 million people, with an estimated 3 million people residing in its capital, Harare. This culturally diverse country has 16 official languages, with up to 76 percent of the population speaking Bantu languages and Ndebele (18 percent).Agriculture and mining are the main export-driving forces, making Zimbabwe one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. These successes represent a recovery from negative growth between 1998 and 2008, which is largely blamed on land reform policy and corruption. The country has adequate internal transportation and an electric power network, but maintenance has been neglected over the years. Poorly paved roads link the major urban and industrial centers, and rail lines managed by the National Railways of Zimbabwe tie into an extensive Central African Railroad Network. In recent years, there have been widespread violations of human rights. Elections have been marked by political violence and intimidation, along with the politicization of the judiciary, military, police force, and public services.Zimbabwe faces many challenges as a result of underdevelopment, including challenges in health. Zimbabwe has a life expectancy of 61 years as of 2019. The common causes of death include lower respiratory infections, tuberculosis, ischemic heart disease, neonatal disorders, stroke, diarrheal diseases, diabetes, road injuries, and protein-energy malnutrition. Deaths due to communicable diseases have decreased substantially between 2009 and 2019, particularly HIV/AIDS and malaria, which both decreased by 70 percent and 50 percent respectively. However, they still remain top causes of death, indicating that there is still much improvement to be made in addressing these two diseases.

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