Have you been wondering and asking yourself What countries are the most developed countries in Africa? well, In this post we’ve taken time to compile an interesting list of most developed countries in Africa.
up until 1990, the world relied on GDP and similar methodology to measure the quality of life of citizens and the development in a particular country. in 1990, Mahbub ul Haq a Former Minister of Finance of Pakistan and Amartya Sen An Indian economist and philosopher developed a new method for measuring the quality of life in a country. Unlike other metrics, Human Development Index (HDI) considers major factors such as the likelihood of:
- Long and healthy life (measured by human life expectancy)
- Access to knowledge (measured by mean years of education)
- A decent standard of living (Gross National Income (GNI) per capita).
This article used this methods to rank the most developed African countries.
List of Most Developed Countries In Africa
This article is sorted from the most developed African country to the least developed African country.
1. Mauritius – 0.802
- Life expectancy at birth: 73.68 years
- Expected years of schooling: 12.4 years
- Mean years of schooling: 11.2 years (as at 2018)
- Total unemployment rate (% of labor force): 7.23%
- Gross National Income Per Capita: (2022 PPP$): $27,480
- HDI value: 0.802
- Population: 1.266 million (as at 2021)
Mauritius is the number one most developed countries in Africa.
2. Seychelles – 0.785
- Life expectancy at birth: 73.74 years
- Expected years of schooling: 13.1 years
- Mean years of schooling: 9.4 years
- GNI per capita: $26,904
- HDI value: 0.785
- Population: 107,660
Seychelles high human development index of 0.785 making it the second Most Developed Countries In Africa, it’s a very beautiful African country located on an island in the Indian Ocean, away from the coast of East Africa. It has a population of 107,660 and citizens have an average income of $26,904 (twenty-six thousand, nine hundred and four dollars) per year and a life expectancy age of 73 years.
According to UNESCO, Seychelles has 94% primary school completion rate. Which is the second highest in Africa after Mauritius. The age of 16 is the minimum school leaving age and education is free through the secondary level until the age of 18.
It might interest you to know that Tourism and agriculture hugely dominate Seychelles economy, it’s also one of the richest countries in Africa, Regarding development.
3. Algeria – 0.748
- Life expectancy at birth: 74.45 years
- Expected years of schooling: 14 years
- Mean years of schooling: 7.6 years
- Total unemployment rate (% of labor force): 11.55%
- GNI per capita (2021 PPP$): $11,860
- HDI value: 0.748
- Population: 44.18 million
Algeria is ranked the third most developed African country by the Human development index.
Life expectancy in Algeria is estimated to be around 74 years, one of the highest in Africa. Education is free at all levels, and the country has one if the highest literacy rate in Africa.
Algerian Economy is mainly focused on Hydrocarbons exports, although unemployment rate is almost very high, the government has never stopped supporting its citizens through a robust social program which it might have to cut because of declining oil prices.
Algeria is the 3rd Most Developed Countries In Africa.
4. Tunisia – 0.731
- Life expectancy at birth: 75.29years
- Expected years of schooling: 14.6 years
- Mean years of schooling: 6.8 years
- Total unemployment rate (% of labor force): 16.26%
- GNI per capita (2021 PPP$): $10,910
- HDI value: 0.731
- Population: 12.26 million
Tunisia is an export-oriented country that is involved in Agriculture, mining, manufacturing, petroleum products and tourism. It produces clothes, footwear’s, car parts and automated machinery.
Education is a must, up to age 16, and its expected years of schooling is around the same level as the United States of America.
The Life expectancy in Tunisia is estimated at about 75 years.
And the average annual earning of residents is $10k (ten thousand dollars). Tunisia has a high unemployment rate estimated at 16%. However, it is one of the few African countries with a high human development score.
Tunisia is the 4th Most Developed Countries In Africa by the Human Development Index.
5. Egypt – 0.731
- Life expectancy at birth: 70.99 years
- Expected years of schooling: 13.5 years
- Mean years of schooling: 6.6 years
- Total unemployment rate (% of labor force): 7.0%
- GNI per capita (2021 PPP$): $12,320
- HDI value: 0.731
- Population: 109.3 million
Egypt is know for its Tourism and Oil industry, it is ranked as the seventh most developed country in Africa.
The life expectancy is 70 years, the average income is actually impressive for a country with such a high population.
The Life Expectancy in Egypt is estimated to be 70.99 years.
6. Botswana – 0.724
- Life expectancy at birth: 65.5 years
- Expected years of schooling: 12.5 years
- Mean years of schooling: 8.9 years
- Total unemployment rate (% of labor force): 21.16%
- GNI per capita (2011 PPP$): $15,420
- HDI value: 0.724
- Population: 2.5 million
A once impoverished nation, Botswana rose up from it shadows developing into a prosperous economy from mining, cattle rearing, tourism. The educational system boasts of a ten-year free basic education scheme.
Due to HIV/AIDS epidemic in the country, the life expectancy in Botswana is estimated to be 65.5 years
Botswana is ranked the 6th Most Developed Countries In Africa.
7. South Africa – 0.713
- Life expectancy at birth: 65.25 years
- Expected years of schooling: 13.6 years
- Mean years of schooling: 9.9 years
- Total unemployment rate (% of labor force): 32.60%
- GNI per capita (2021 PPP$): $14,340
- HDI value: 0.713
- Population: 59.39 million
Based on the human development index statistics South Africa is the ninth most developed African country.
When it comes to Economy in African, South Africa has the second largest economy in the continent, and it runs one of the most diversified economies in Africa.
In 2016 a report from the US government found that South Africa has the lowest life expectancy age in the world which is about 65years.
However, education in South Africa is very good, but the standard of living is high. According to the human development index, South Africa is the 7th Most Developed Countries In Africa.
8. Libya – 0.718
- Life expectancy at birth: 71.91 years
- Expected years of schooling: 14 years
- Mean years of schooling: 7.3 years
- GNI per capita (2021 PPP$): $24,330
- HDI value: 0.718
- Population: 6.8 million
Libya is one of the African country with the largest oil reserve, according to the human development index, Libya is one of the few African countries in the high human development category with about 0.718.
In Libya Education is compulsory from basic to secondary level. Life expectancy is around 71 years, and the average income of residents is around the global average.
However, Post-Gaddafi Libya is at war with internal and external forces and the Human Development Index does not capture the current reality in Libya.
Libya is another country listed in Most Developed Countries In Africa.
9. Gabon – 0.706
- Life expectancy at birth: 63/68 years
- Expected years of schooling: 12.5 years
- Mean years of schooling: 7.8 years
- Total unemployment rate (% of labor force): 21.84%
- GNI per capita (2021 PPP$): $12,800
- HDI value: 0.706
- Population: 2.341 million
Gabon is one of the most developed countries in Africa and it is know for its Oil exploration, the economy of Gabon is mainly focused on this Exportations.
Education is free and compulsory from age 6 to 16. The life expectancy of women is 68.69years, while Life expectancy for men is around 63.49 years on average. Gabon’s GNI per capita is $12,800.
10. Cape Verde – 0.662
- Life expectancy at birth: 68-78 years
- Expected years of schooling: 13.5 years
- Mean years of schooling: 4.7 years
- Total unemployment rate (% of labor force): 13.91%
- GNI per capita (2011 PPP$): $6,590
- HDI value: 0.662
- Population: 0.5 million
With a bubbling economy with little mineral resources, Cape Verde economy boosts of income from tourism, export of fish, human services, wine.production and Salt export. Education is free up to age 16, and the educational system is ranked 2nd in the whole of Africa.
The life expectancy of women in Cape Verde is 78years and 68 years for male.
Cape Verde is ranked 10th most developed country in Africa.
Most Developed Countries In Africa
Rank | Country | HDI |
---|---|---|
1 | Mauritius | 0.802 |
2 | Seychelles | 0.785 |
3 | Algeria | 0.748 |
4 | Tunisia | 0.731 |
5 | Egypt | 0.731 |
6 | Botswana | 0.724 |
7 | South Africa | 0.713 |
8 | Libya | 0.718 |
9 | Gabon | 0.706 |
10 | Cape Verde | 0.662 |