Updated: Top 20 Most Developed Countries In Africa

Africa, a diverse cultural continent covering 6% of Earth’s total surface area and is richly endowed with abundant natural resources. Despite the presence of various natural resources, most African countries still live in poverty and under development. Colonialism, wars, and corruption are part of the numerous reasons it is so. But this doesn’t mean that there are not developed countries in Africa. Today, we will look at the most developed countries in Africa.

Our list of most developed countries in Africa will be based on the calculative index of education, life expectancy, and per capita income pointers, which are used to classify countries into four tiers of human development, the Human Development Index released on 14 September 2018 and based on data collected in 2017. The list will show the top 20 developed countries in africa starting from the most developed. Let’s ride on!

 

Here Are The Top 20 Most Developed Countries In Africa :

 

1.Seychelles :
Top 20 Most Developed Countries In Africa

Seychelles is home to numerous beaches, 115 islands and nature reserves, as well as unique animals such as the giant Aldabra tortoises. Seychelles has a reputation of being the leading tourist destination in Africa. One wouldn’t be surprised to know that Seychelles is a leading tourist destination though. This leading tourist destination has a HDI value of 0.801, a GDP per capita of $17,402 and a life expectancy of 73.7. It has a 9.5 mean years of schooling. Seychelles ranks 62 in the HDI world best countries ranking. Seychelles economy depends mostly on agriculture and tourism.

 

2. Mauritius
Coming out as the second most developed country in Africa, Mauritius is also known as a major tourist destination in Africa. This country having a 1.3 million population has a HDI value of 0.796, a GDP per capita of $11,361 and a life expectancy of 74.9. It has a 9.3 mean years of schooling. It ranks 66 in the HDI world most developed countries ranking. Mauritius leverages a middle-income diversified economy.

 

3. Algeria
Positioned as the third most developed country in Africa by the Human Development Index report 2018 and ranking 82 in the world according to same report, Algeria has a GDP per capita of $3,980 and a Human Development Index value of 0.759. As one of the largest producers of oil in Africa, Algeria generates most of its income from the industry.

 

4. Tunisia

Most developed African countries

Positioned as the fourth most developed countries in Africa and 91st in the world, this North African nation has a GDP per capita of $3,328 and a HDI value of 0.739. Life expectancy there is 75.9. Tunisia’s economy is backed up majorly by manufacturing, tourism, services and mining.

 

5. Botswana
Located in the southern region of Africa, this landlocked country ranks as the fifth best country in Africa and 94th globally. It has a HDI value of 0.728 and a GDP per capita of $7,859. Having a general populace of 2 million people, Botswana’s economy is majorly backed up by tourism, mining and cattle rearing.

 

6. Libya
Sixth most developed country in Africa and 110 in the world, Libya has a GDP per capita of $7,998, HDI value of 0.708 and a life expectancy of 72.1 years. The pillar of Libya’s economy is oil, its poor climate limits its ability to go into the agricultural sector. This North African nation with a general populace of 6,572,076 people is registered by the World Bank as one of the eight developed African countries with the upper-middle-income economic set-up.

 

7. South Africa

Developed African countries
Positioned as the 8th most developed country in Africa and 113 in the world in the world, South Africa has a general populace of 57,725,600, a life expectancy of 63.4 years, a HDI value of 0.705 and a GDP per capita of $6,100. South Africa’s economy is greatly backed up by mining.

 

8. Gabon
This country with a general populace of 2 million people is positioned as the seventh most developed countries in Africa while it ranks 115th in the world. It has a GDP per capita of $7,741 and a HDI value of 0.702. It is the sixth largest oil producer in Africa. Gabon economy majorly depends on its oil.

 

9. Egypt
Positioned as 116th most developed country in the world and ninth most developed country in Africa, Egypt has a HDI value of 0.700 and a GDP per capita of $3,046. It enjoys a 94,798,827 general populace with a life expectancy of 71.7 years. Egypt economy is quite diversified, it depends on mining, telecommunication and agriculture.

 

10. Morocco
This North African country is positioned as the 10th most developed country in Africa and 121 in the world. Morocco with a general populace of 35,740,000 has a GDP per capita of $3,345, a HDI value of 0.676 and a life expectancy of 76.1 years. Its economy is greatly backed by mining, construction, manufacturing, textile, telecoms, services sector, and information technology, tourism, etc.

 

11. Cape Verde
Located 570 km off the coast of West Africa, this country with a general populace of 539,560 is positioned as the 11th on the list of most developed countries in Africa. It has a HDI value of 0.651 and a GDP of $7,171.80  per capita. Due to its numerous mountains, seaside villages, beautiful landscapes and beaches. Cape Verde gets a lot of tourist visits and as such generates much money. Its economy relies majorly on tourism. Cape Verde is the 126th most developed country in the world.

 

12. Namibia
Namibia is a country located in the southern part of Africa. It has a population of 2,606,971 people and is ranked as the 12th most developed country in Africa and 130 most developed worldwide based on the Human Development Index report released on 9 December 2019. Its economy relies majorly on agriculture, mining and tourism. It has a HDI value of 0.645 and GDP per capita of $5,073.

 

13. Sao Tome and Principe
Positioned as the 13th most developed country in Africa and 137th most developed country in the world, Sao Tome and Principe has a HDI value of 0.609 and GDP per capita of $1,303.60. The economy of Sao Tome and Principe is greatly backed by the agricultural industry.

 

14. Republic Of Congo
Having a HDI value of 0.608 and GDP per capita of $500.55, Congo finds itself as the 14th most developed country in Africa and 138th in the world. It has a general populace of 5 million. Congo’s economy is powered by a collection of handicrafts, agriculture and an industrial sector, which is predominantly dependent on the production of petroleum.

 

15.Eswatini

Eswatini formerly known as Swaziland is positioned as the 14th most developed country in Africa with a general populace of 1,343,098 people. The economy of Swaziland is greatly backed by agriculture and mining. Due to being a landlocked country, this African country does most of its business with South Africa. It ranks as the 138th most developed country in the world. It has a HDI value of 0.608, same as Congo and GDP per capita of $3,837.

 

16. Ghana
Ghana is ranked as the 14th on the list of the most developed countries in Africa and 142nd worldwide in the HDI report of 2019. It has a general populace of approximately 28 million people and it economy largely depends on the exportation of industrial minerals, agricultural products, petroleum and natural gas. It has a HDI value of 0.596 and GDP per capita of $2,223.

 

17.Zambia

Zambia sits as the 17th most developed country in Africa and the 143 in the world. It has a general population of 16,591,330 million people. Having a HDI value of 0.591 and GDP per capita of 1,307.03, this country economy is greatly backed by numerous activities like farming and mining.

 

18. Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea is situated on the Atlantic coast of Central Africa, it is the 16th on the list of most developed countries in Africa and 144th in the world list. It has a populace of 2 million people. The country is located in a very favorable position geographically as it location provides it with a great platform for exporting goods to the America and Europe. Equatorial Guinea’s economy is greatly backed by oil, as that is the major product in Equatorial Guinea. Equatorial Guinea has a HDI value of 0.588. The country has a GDP per capita of $920.80.

 

19.Kenya

Top 20 Most Developed Countries In Africa
Kenya sits as the 147th most developed country worldwide and 16th most developed country in Africa. It has a general populace of approximately 43,125,325 people, HDI value of 0.579 and GDP per capita of $2,010. Kenya’s economy is greatly backed by tourism, agriculture and industrial activities.

 

20.Angola

Most developed African countries
“Photo Taken In Luanda, Angola”

Angola is the 20th most developed country in Africa, and the 149th most developed country on a global list. It has a HDI value of 0.574 and GDP per capita of $2,974. Angola’s economy is  greatly influenced by activities such as agriculture, mining and industrial activities. Its populace stands at 25,789,204 at present.

 

On Most Developed Countries In Africa

Our list of the most developed countries was retrieved from the most recent United Nations Development Programme report. The countries were measured using the Human Development Index (HDI ) which classifies countries based on its economic growth, standard of living, life expectancy, health, and education.

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