African Labor Force Threatened By AIDS

So many people in sub-Saharan Africa are afflicted by HIV/AIDS that the disease is beginning to cut into the region's labor force. Within the next five years, the pool of working-age men and women in the hardest-hit areas will shrink by 9%... and could be cut by up to 40% by 2015.

This will not only affect multinational corporations in Africa looking to hire local workers, but may well affect the region's ability to develop economically. In response, some corporations are beefing up their healthcare offerings to employees. Developed countries may also find it beneficial invest in HIV/AIDS prevention in Africa to help affected areas become and remain economically viable.

Sources: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, World Future Society
Africa AIDS