A/HRC/45/21 related mortality in some countries. 81 Maternal mortality remained high in the least developed countries, at 436 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2015. In sub-Saharan Africa, from 2000 to 2018 the under-5 mortality rate dropped by half and the proportion of children under 5 who were stunted declined from 41 per cent to 32 per cent. These trends are not enough for the least developed countries to get on track to meet Sustainable Development Goals 2 (zero hunger) and 3 (good health and well-being).82 48. The education index is composed of indicators relating to the gross secondary school enrolment ratio, the adult literacy rate and the gender parity index. From 2011 to 2018, the proportion of children of primary school age who were out of school and the pupil-to-tutor ratio dropped in the least developed countries, while the literacy rate improved moderately. However, poor basic facilities and infrastructure, including a lack of computers and access to safe drinking water, sanitation and electricity, along with insufficient trained teachers and limited or lack of adequate learning and teaching materials, continue to affect the enjoyment of the right to education. Enrolment at the secondary and tertiary levels remains a challenge.83 The expansion of girls’ access to education in the least developed countries was only marginal at the primary and secondary levels 84 and more needs to be done to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of girls and women to, within and through education. 85 Although women are underrepresented in political institutions, 86 some least developed countries have made outstanding progress on women’s participation in parliament, including Rwanda (61 per cent), Senegal (42 per cent), Mozambique (40 per cent), Ethiopia (39 per cent) and Timor-Leste (38 per cent).87 49. Underdeveloped health systems in the least developed countries have had a significant impact on the mortality rates due to COVID-19. 88 That said, many least developed countries have demonstrated commendable leadership through swift and coordinated responses. The African Union, most of whose members are least developed countries, has established a task force to develop a continent-wide strategy and appointed special envoys to mobilize international support. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has established a response fund, while African Union member States have taken robust measures to contain the spread of the virus and mitigate its socioeconomic impact.89 3. Economic and environmental vulnerability 50. The economic and environmental vulnerability index is calculated on the basis of an economic vulnerability index and an environmental vulnerability index.90 This index relates closely to the rights to decent work, an adequate standard of living, housing, water, sanitation and a healthy environment. 51. The economic vulnerability index is composed of the share of agriculture, forestry and fisheries in GDP as an indicator, as well as indicators on merchandise export concentration, the instability of exports of goods and services and remoteness and landlockedness. Transforming the economy by increasing productive capacity is key to the realization of the right to development in the least developed countries, as it creates jobs, diversifies the economy, increases the fiscal space and improves basic infrastructure and social sector investments. During the past decade, the rate of industrialization has remained too slow to achieve the target of doubling industry’s share of employment. 91 Progress relating to infrastructure (including the Internet, communications, water, sanitation and 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 12 A/75/72, paras. 34–35. https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2019/The-Sustainable-Development-Goals-Report-2019.pdf, pp. 24 and 27. A/75/72, paras. 31–35. Ibid., para. 40. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, general recommendation No. 36. A/75/72, para. 41. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SG.GEN.PARL.ZS?most_recent_value_desc=true. www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/wp-content/uploads/sites/45/publication/PB_66.pdf. www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statement/2020-05-25/secretary-generals-message-africa-day-scrolldown-for-french-version. E/2020/33, paras. 42–51. https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2019/The-Sustainable-Development-Goals-Report-2019.pdf, p. 12.