however the indicators have two limitations that must be mentioned namely a the indicators are based on national averages and b neither indicator measures the quality of the service provided hence the deficit shown by these indicators may be greater in rural areas or less developed regions of a country and may affect poorer sections of the population to a greater degree however across the countries of the region progress in achieving millennium development goal has to varying degrees fallen short in a number of countries a significant proportion of the population of primary school age is still excluded