Most Developed Countries In Africa

Last updated May 24, 2025

Human Development Index 2023
Gross National Income per Capita
Top
Last
Human Development Index 2023Question Mark
1AlgeriaAlgeria0.763
2EgyptEgypt0.754
3TunisiaTunisia0.746
4LibyaLibya0.741
5South AfricaSouth Africa0.733
6BotswanaBotswana0.731
7GabonGabon0.721
8MoroccoMorocco0.71
9EswatiniEswatini0.695
10Equatorial GuineaEquatorial Guinea0.674
11Cape VerdeCape Verde0.668
12NamibiaNamibia0.665
13ZimbabweZimbabwe0.649
14AngolaAngola0.628
14GhanaGhana0.628
16ZambiaZambia0.616
17Republic of the CongoRepublic of the Congo0.598
18CameroonCameroon0.595
19KenyaKenya0.588
20ComorosComoros0.582
20MauritaniaMauritania0.582
22Ivory CoastIvory Coast0.578
23TanzaniaTanzania0.571
24TogoTogo0.563
25NigeriaNigeria0.56
26RwandaRwanda0.555
27BeninBenin0.55
28UgandaUganda0.53
29LesothoLesotho0.524
30MalawiMalawi0.522
31SenegalSenegal0.517
32DjiboutiDjibouti0.515
33SudanSudan0.514
34MadagascarMadagascar0.513
35GambiaGambia0.511
36EthiopiaEthiopia0.51
37EritreaEritrea0.503
38Guinea BissauGuinea Bissau0.5
39LiberiaLiberia0.497
40DR CongoDR Congo0.493
41Sierra LeoneSierra Leone0.487
42GuineaGuinea0.467
43Burkina FasoBurkina Faso0.459
44MozambiqueMozambique0.439
45MaliMali0.419
45BurundiBurundi0.419
47Central African RepublicCentral African Republic0.416
48NigerNiger0.414
49ChadChad0.404
50South SudanSouth Sudan0.388

Africa's Development Landscape

A diverse continent of over one billion people, Africa encompasses 54 countries, each with unique cultures, languages, natural resources, and development trajectories. While African nations have often been associated with economic challenges, many are showing remarkable progress in various indicators of development. A significant method of measuring this development is the Human Development Index (HDI), which is a composite index measuring average achievements in three basic aspects of human development—health, education, and standard of living.

Key findings from the data include:

  • According to the most recent HDI ranking, Mauritius stands out as the most developed country in Africa, with an HDI of 0.802. It is closely followed by Seychelles with 0.785 and Algeria with 0.745.
  • Egypt and Tunisia both stood at an HDI of 0.731, jointly taking the fourth spot. Meanwhile, Libya rounds off the list of the top six with its HDI at 0.718.
  • The countries with the least developed index include South Sudan with 0.385, and Chad with 0.394. Despite being at the bottom of the index, these nations, too, have shown signs of progress in recent years.
  • North African countries dominate the top of the list demonstrating higher levels of development compared to their Sub-Saharan counterparts.

Region ↕HDI 2023↕Gross National Income per Capita 2022↕
Algeria0.763$4,273.9
Egypt0.754$4,295.4
Tunisia0.746$3,776.7
Libya0.741$6,716.1
South Africa0.733$6,776.5
Botswana0.731$7,737.7
Gabon0.721$8,820.3
Morocco0.71$3,527.9
Eswatini0.695$4,039.5
Equatorial Guinea0.674$7,053.5
Cape Verde0.668
Namibia0.665$4,911.3
Zimbabwe0.649$1,267.0
Angola0.628$2,998.5
Ghana0.628$2,175.9
Zambia0.616$1,487.9
Republic of the Congo0.598$586.5
Cameroon0.595$1,588.5
Kenya0.588$2,099.3
Comoros0.582$1,484.9
Mauritania0.582$2,190.7
Ivory Coast0.578
Tanzania0.571$1,192.4
Togo0.563$918.4
Nigeria0.56$2,184.4
Rwanda0.555$966.3
Benin0.55$1,303.2
Uganda0.53$964.2
Lesotho0.524$1,107.4
Malawi0.522$645.2
Senegal0.517$1,598.7
Djibouti0.515$3,136.1
Sudan0.514$1,102.1
Madagascar0.513$505.0
Gambia0.511$840.0
Ethiopia0.51$1,027.6
Eritrea0.503
Guinea Bissau0.5$775.8
Liberia0.497$754.5
DR Congo0.493$2,448.0
Sierra Leone0.487$461.4
Guinea0.467$1,531.7
Burkina Faso0.459$832.9
Mozambique0.439$541.5
Mali0.419$833.3
Burundi0.419$238.4
Central African Republic0.416$427.1
Niger0.414$533.0
Chad0.404$716.8
South Sudan0.388$1,071.8

10 Most Developed Countries in Africa

According to the Human Development Index (HDI), the ten most developed African countries are Mauritius, Seychelles, Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, South Africa, Gabon, Botswana, and Morocco.

Mauritius is the most developed country in Africa, with an impressive HDI of 0.802. This high rating is a testament to the nation's focused efforts in improving health, education, and living conditions. Seychelles follows closely in development with a slightly lower HDI of 0.785, indicating commendable achievements in human development.

Ranked third in Africa, Algeria stands out with an HDI of 0.745, demonstrating significant progress in reducing income inequality and investing in human capital. Egypt and Tunisia tie for the fourth spot, with an HDI of 0.731, reflecting their strides in education and healthcare provision.

Libya clinches the sixth spot with an HDI score of 0.718, indicating the country's economic and social development balance. South Africa and Gabon follow with HDIs of 0.713 and 0.706, respectively.

The ninth most developed country in Africa, Botswana, boasts an HDI of 0.693 due to consistent initiatives in improving education and poverty reduction. Lastly, Morocco, with an HDI of 0.683, ranks out the top 10 list, mirroring its efforts to enhance literacy rates and provide quality healthcare.

10 Most Developed Countries in Africa:

  1. Mauritius - 0.802
  2. Seychelles - 0.785
  3. Algeria - 0.745
  4. Egypt - 0.731
  5. Tunisia - 0.731
  6. Libya - 0.718
  7. South Africa - 0.713
  8. Gabon - 0.706
  9. Botswana - 0.693
  10. Morocco - 0.683
The 2025 Human Development Report
Last updated
May 6th, 2025
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