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
1SeychellesSeychelles0.848
2MauritiusMauritius0.806
3AlgeriaAlgeria0.763
4EgyptEgypt0.754
5TunisiaTunisia0.746
6South AfricaSouth Africa0.741
7GabonGabon0.733
8BotswanaBotswana0.731
9LibyaLibya0.721
10MoroccoMorocco0.71
11EswatiniEswatini0.695
12Equatorial GuineaEquatorial Guinea0.674
13Cape VerdeCape Verde0.668
14NamibiaNamibia0.665
15Republic of the CongoRepublic of the Congo0.649
16Sao Tome and PrincipeSao Tome and Principe0.637
17KenyaKenya0.628
17GhanaGhana0.628
19AngolaAngola0.616
20ComorosComoros0.603
21ZimbabweZimbabwe0.598
22ZambiaZambia0.595
23CameroonCameroon0.588
24UgandaUganda0.582
24Ivory CoastIvory Coast0.582
26RwandaRwanda0.578
27TogoTogo0.571
28MauritaniaMauritania0.563
29NigeriaNigeria0.56
30TanzaniaTanzania0.555
31LesothoLesotho0.55
32SenegalSenegal0.53
33GambiaGambia0.524
34DR CongoDR Congo0.522
35MalawiMalawi0.517
36BeninBenin0.515
37Guinea BissauGuinea Bissau0.514
38DjiboutiDjibouti0.513
39SudanSudan0.511
40LiberiaLiberia0.51
41EritreaEritrea0.503
42GuineaGuinea0.5
43EthiopiaEthiopia0.497
44MozambiqueMozambique0.493
45MadagascarMadagascar0.487
46Sierra LeoneSierra Leone0.467
47Burkina FasoBurkina Faso0.459
48BurundiBurundi0.439
49MaliMali0.419
49NigerNiger0.419
51ChadChad0.416
52Central African RepublicCentral African Republic0.414
53SomaliaSomalia0.404
54South 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↕
Seychelles0.848$15,874.5
Mauritius0.806$10,216.3
Algeria0.763$4,273.9
Egypt0.754$4,295.4
Tunisia0.746$3,776.7
South Africa0.741$6,776.5
Gabon0.733$8,820.3
Botswana0.731$7,737.7
Libya0.721$6,716.1
Morocco0.71$3,527.9
Eswatini0.695$4,039.5
Equatorial Guinea0.674$7,053.5
Cape Verde0.668
Namibia0.665$4,911.3
Republic of the Congo0.649$586.5
Sao Tome and Principe0.637$2,404.3
Kenya0.628$2,099.3
Ghana0.628$2,175.9
Angola0.616$2,998.5
Comoros0.603$1,484.9
Zimbabwe0.598$1,267.0
Zambia0.595$1,487.9
Cameroon0.588$1,588.5
Uganda0.582$964.2
Ivory Coast0.582
Rwanda0.578$966.3
Togo0.571$918.4
Mauritania0.563$2,190.7
Nigeria0.56$2,184.4
Tanzania0.555$1,192.4
Lesotho0.55$1,107.4
Senegal0.53$1,598.7
Gambia0.524$840.0
DR Congo0.522$2,448.0
Malawi0.517$645.2
Benin0.515$1,303.2
Guinea Bissau0.514$775.8
Djibouti0.513$3,136.1
Sudan0.511$1,102.1
Liberia0.51$754.5
Eritrea0.503
Guinea0.5$1,531.7
Ethiopia0.497$1,027.6
Mozambique0.493$541.5
Madagascar0.487$505.0
Sierra Leone0.467$461.4
Burkina Faso0.459$832.9
Burundi0.439$238.4
Mali0.419$833.3
Niger0.419$533.0
Chad0.416$716.8
Central African Republic0.414$427.1
Somalia0.404$461.8
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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