Top 10 African countries with the lowest cleanliness ratings in 2024

Cleanliness is next to godliness,” the adage goes, stressing the importance of hygiene in shaping not just personal habits but the broader health and well-being of countries. For some countries, this mantra seems deeply embedded in their environmental and public health policies, ensuring they rise to the top of global cleanliness rankings.

The report combines 58 indicators across 11 issue categories, ranging from climate change mitigation and air pollution to waste management, sustainability of fisheries and agriculture, deforestation, and biodiversity protection.

In 2024, African countries that rank highly on the EPI are those that have prioritized environmental health and sustainability. These countries understand that a clean environment is not just a luxury but a necessity for economic growth, public health, and overall quality of life.

The EPI helps pinpoint issues, set goals, track progress, understand impacts, and figure out what policies are working best.

In an earlier post, Business Insider Africa discussed how Gabon ranked highest on the list with a score of 53.1 and a global ranking of 45th. Hot on its heels is Zimbabwe, scoring 51.7 and coming in at 55th worldwide.

On the other end, Eritrea has the lowest cleanliness rating in Africa in 2024, with a score of 28.6, placing it 174th globally. Madagascar follows closely with a score of 29.9, ranked 173rd, and Djibouti with a score of 32.2, positioned at 167th worldwide.