New research from ActionAid International, The Human Cost of Public Sector Cuts in Africa, highlights how over the last five years, austerity measures have led to the deterioration of public health and education services. The research draws from a survey conducted through interviews and focus group discussions in six African countries - Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi and Nigeria - among 616 individuals in rural and urban locations (296 health and education workers and 320 service users). It reveals that a decline in the quality and availability of services has stretched frontline health and education workers thin, and threatened the rights of communities. Health and education workers are facing overwhelming workloads and fewer resources to perform their jobs effectively, while communities are deprived of public services due to high costs and poor quality.