In December 2001, an unparalleledeconomic crisis unfolded, triggeringhigh rates ofunemployment and extreme poverty. Increases in informal andprecarious employment, such as sub-standard jobs with lowwages, reduced earnings in many households. GDP fell by 20percent in the last four years and by nearly 11 percent in2002 alone. Per capita income at the end of 2002 stood at anestimated US$2,695, down from over US$8,000 in the 1997/98period. The social cost of these figures has been enormous-poverty rose to a zenith of 58 percent in 2002, withindigence levels affecting 28 percent of the population, orapproximately 9 million people. As a result, access to basicpublic health and education services has been severelyimpacted, while purchasing power has decreased dramatically.
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