deficit reached 10.1% of GDP. Key human development indicators regarding education, maternal and
child health and access to drinking water were constantly on the decline.
23. To reverse this trend, the Government initiated in 1996, economic adjustment and restructuring
programmes with the support of the IMF and the World Bank and implemented reforms in various key
areas: public finance, social security, state companies, education, health… Moreover, the Government
developed, in 2000, a poverty reduction strategy with the following objectives: i) restoring economic
growth, ii) developing human resources, iii) enhancing social safety nets, and iv) modernizing the State
and promoting good governance.
24. Given its strategic position as a trade hub between Asia and Europe, Djibouti’s economy is that of a
rentier State relying on its port infrastructures and military bases but with a sizeable informal sector. The
economy is dominated by the tertiary sector (transport, communication, trade, tourism…) accounting
for 76% of GDP and employing 60% of the labour force.
25. Results of programmes implemented since 1996 have been mixed. Significant progress achieved in the
macro-economic field with a reduction of the budget deficit did not succeed in reversing the downward
trend in the country’s social situation. Economic growth was negative (-3.2%) during the 1991-2001
period).
26. The EDAM-IS2 survey shows that the incidence of relative poverty and extreme poverty increased
between 1996 and 2002 from 45.1% to 74% and 9.6% to 42.1% respectively. It also reveals that poverty
is generalized and affects all geographic areas and social categories.
II.
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
1. RATIFIED INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS
27. The Republic of Djibouti has, over the past ten years, deployed significant efforts to accede to key
international and regional human rights instruments and submit related reports. 2010 was a significant
year in this regard with the preparation of several reports to treaty bodies including the core document
common to all reports.
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