The Quality of Life Index is a comprehensive measure that assesses the overall living conditions in a city or country. It takes into account factors such as purchasing power, pollution levels, housing affordability, safety, healthcare quality, cost of living, commute times, and climate conditions.
A higher score on the index signifies a better quality of life, offering a comparative tool to evaluate and contrast the living standards in different regions of the world.
Globally, quality of life assessments have fluctuated in recent years, influenced by economic shifts, climate change, political stability, and public health challenges.
These factors are especially significant in Africa, where diverse nations experience varying levels of economic development, social welfare, and access to basic services.
In 2024, Numbeo’s Quality of Life Index shows some notable shifts in Africa compared to the previous year. South Africa, which topped the list in 2023 with a score of 152.4, continues to maintain the highest quality of life index in Africa, though it has seen a slight dip to 136.9.
Morocco has seen significant improvement, moving from third in 2023 to second place with a quality of life index of 104.7.
Below are the top 5 African countries with the best quality of life in 2025:
| Rank | Country | Quality of Life Index |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
South Africa |
152.4 |
|
2 |
Tunisia |
117.3 |
|
3 |
Morocco |
110.8 |
|
4 |
Kenya |
101.7 |
|
5 |
Egypt |
85.3 |
Another notable change this year is Nigeria, which has fallen from fifth place in 2023 to sixth in 2024 with a score of 49.5, indicating worsening living conditions.
Factors such as inflation, unemployment, and infrastructure deficits contribute to Nigeria’s decline. Nigeria’s drop signals a larger trend of economic struggles in the country, as many citizens face higher living costs and reduced access to essential services.
