38. The growth of the group of the 21 least deve~oped African countries ·will be around 1. 9 per cent this year, substantially lower than the averaqe rate of 3.4 per cent between 1973 ana 1980. Agricultural growth is projected at 1.7 per cent while manufacturing will increase marginally. Table I I I • E • 1 Growth in real GDP (Percentage change over preceding year) African members of OPEC Sub-Saharan Africa a/ Other countries b/ Developing Africa 1980 share in total 51.5 34.1 14.4 100.0 Source: ECA secretariat. Averaqe 1973 to 1980 6.1 L9 7.3 4.6 1981 -9.0 3.3 3.9 -:-3.0 1982 -2.4 0.7 3.7 -0.3 1983 2.4 1.2 4.6 2.3 Note: Aqqregates "''ere computed at market prices expressed in 1985'US dollar terms. ~I Excluding Gabon and Niqeria. ~/ Eqypt, l'lcrocco and Tunisia. 26 E/ECA/Ct1. S/5 39. Althouqh the projected growth of 2.3 per cent for 1983 is well above the 1981-1982 performance it is only half of the his­ torical rate of 4.6 per cent between 1973 and 1980. This is valid for all the three qroups of countries. 40. But even with the moderate growth in 1983 the level of out­ put will not reach its 1980 level while the ~cap!:_ta income will be about 9 per cent lower in 1983 than in 1980. 41. On the external side, ECA secretariat foresees a sliqht im­ provement in 1983, the current account deficit narrowinc to about 5.2 per cent of the GDP at constant prices. Within this over-all fiqure is a deterioration of the deficit of sub-Saharan Africa from 7.1 per cent in 1982 to 7.4 per cent in 1983. By contrast the current account deficit of African members of OPEC is decreasinq from 2.3 per cent in 1982 to 1.4 per cent in 1983. 
**Analysis**
The text primarily discusses the economic growth and development of African countries, specifically the 21 least developed African countries, African members of OPEC, and sub-Saharan Africa. It provides data on real GDP growth rates, agricultural growth, manufacturing growth, and current account deficits. The text does not mention natural resources, environment, health, education, employment, humanitarian aid, culture, or science and technology.

**Category**
Economic development