Dozens of nations, hundreds of ethnic groups, and numerous smaller entities make up Subsaharan Africa's culturally rich and varied population. The majority of Subsaharan Africa's peoples remain dependent on farming for their livelihood. Health and nutritional conditions in Subsaharan Africa are in need of improvement as the incidence of disease remains high and diets are often unbalanced. The realm is rich in raw materials vital to industrialized countries, but much of Subsaharan Africa's population has little access to the goods and services of the world economy. Patterns or raw-material exploitation and export routes set up during the colonial period still prevail in most of Subsaharan Africa.
Interregional connections are poor.
During the Cold War, great-power competition magnified conflicts in several Subsaharan African countries, the aftermath of which will be felt for generations. The rate of natural increase in Subsaharan Africa's population remains the highest in the world despite difficult environments and poor health conditions. Severe dislocation affects many Subsaharan African countries, from Liberia to Rwanda. This realm has the largest refugee population in the world today. Government mismanagement and the failure of leadership afflict the economies of many Subsaharan African countries.