The Government
of Equatorial Guinea has released information on the overall status of the country’s
households, which was obtained via the Demographic and Health Survey
of Equatorial Guinea (EDSGE-I), conducted between July and November 2011.
The survey was conducted through the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) with
support from the European Commission and the African Development Bank (ADB).
The survey showed that the average household in Equatorial Guinea consists
of 4.6 people. Two thirds of the
population have access to electric lighting and drinking water, and own a
mobile phone as well as a television. It also showed that urban households have
more material comforts that rural ones. For example, 82 percent of households
in urban areas have access to drinking water, compared to only 33 percent of
households in rural areas.
The Government conducted the survey in order to gain a statistical base
for to improve living conditions in the country and to address the disparity
between urban and rural households. Earlier this year, Teodoro
Nguema Obiang Mangue, Second Vice President, supervised the national
zinc roof tour, which involved the donation of thousands of zinc sheets to
families living in rural communities for improved roofs and living conditions.
The government has also launched an extensive program to build publicly
financed, low-cost housing. Thousands of units have been built in the main urban
centers. The housing will be turned over to the bank of Equatorial Guinea,
which will lead credit and financing efforts. Equatoguinean citizens will need
to present proof of employment and other documentation—as well as a modest down
payment—to be eligible for a low-cost mortgage. The bank will provide mortgage
loans of 20 to 30 years’ duration, as is the practice in many other countries. Some
Equatoguinean citizens are already living in public housing–for example, the
community of Nueva Esperanza in Malabo.