Top 10 Most Civilized Countries in Africa (2024)

The most civilized countries in Africa are decided by a number of factors. When a country is said to be civilized, it means it has reached an advanced stage of social and cultural development. In order to determine that a country has reached such a state of development; it must be able to provide the basic necessities for its citizens.

Food security is a matter of high priority; without this no nation can truly claim to be advanced. Other important indexes include healthcare delivery, education, housing, government accountability and democracy.

Economic stability is also a very important factor to consider; jobs need to be available to the people so as to keep them productive. Even though it is not commonly cited as a factor; there needs to be an enabling environment for the people to generate wealth.

Top 10 Most Civilized Countries in Africa

1. Mauritius

Mauritius has a very high human development index; in terms of civilization it cannot be compared to any other country. Perhaps this rate of development has something to do with the country’s geographical location. Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean. It stands about 2,000 kilometres away from the southeast coast of the African continent, east of Madagascar.

Mauritius has a lot in common with countries in Asia such as China and India. Mauritius has a high income diversified economy, which is based on tourism, textiles, sugar, and financial services. Other important sectors include communication technology, seafood, hospitality and property development.

2. Seychelles

Seychelles is the smallest African country by population, but it is a quite a civilized country. Seychelles is a group of islands numbering 115, all grouped as one country. Located in the Indian Ocean, it stands about 1,500 kilometres away from mainland Africa.

Seychelles, like other countries in the Indian Ocean engages in a lot of trade with Asia. It has a very high human development index; (0.796), and the country has invested heavily in infrastructure.

Some important sectors of the economy include agriculture, tourism, fishing, textiles, and petroleum. The healthcare delivery system is great, and even the sports sector attracts foreigners.

3. Algeria

Algeria is a country in North Africa. It is considered to be a part of the Maghreb region of North Africa, and has a large part of its southern region occupied by the Sahara Desert. Algeria has an area of 2,381,741 square kilometres making it one of the world’s largest countries.

Algeria has a population of 44 million, the country is rich in culture, and has a very developed society. The human development index of Algeria is 0.748. The country has a very civilized society, with very good infrastructure, which has attracted people from all over the world.

Algiers hosts a large community of French retirees who live in the country after their years of active economic activities. Algiers has been called the “Paris of Africa” because of its high number of wealthy French citizens living there.

Algeria is safe, and has a liberal society.

4. South Africa

South Africa is the most developed country below the Sahara, and one of the most developed economies in Africa. Its major cities have been constantly ranked as the most civilized cities in Africa for several years.

South Africa is a country in Southern Africa. It has a population of about 60 million people, and a total land area of 1,221,037 square kilometers. South Africa has 2,798 kilometres of coastline, and is a country of beautiful beaches.

South Africa is called the Rainbow Nation because of its ethnic and cultural diversity. The country is also a biodiversity hotspot; there is a staggering amount of plant and animal species that thrive there.

The key to South Africa’s progress is planning; the country has been able to plan its economy by making investments which pay off in the future. Economically, the country is diverse; agriculture, mining, tourism, and commerce all play vital roles in ensuring that South Africa maintains its pride of place in Africa and the world.

5. Tunisia

Tunisia is in North Africa. As a matter of fact it is the northernmost country in Africa. Tunisia is a part of the Maghreb region of North Africa; it has both the Atlas Mountains and a little part of the Sahara desert as part of its territory.

Tunisia has a population of 11 million, and a land area of 163,610 km2. It has 1,300 km of coastline, which includes the Mediterranean Sea.

Tunisia; as part of the Mediterranean Region has a society that leans towards Europe, despite being located in Africa. Islam is the official religion, and the country is very culturally rich. The country has a strong adherence to its laws, and corruption is very strongly condemned.

Some of the main exports from Tunisia include: Clothing Items (Men’s Suits), Crude Petroleum, Pure Olive Oil, Vehicle Parts, Insulated Wires, and so on. Tunisia is so developed that even the sports sector attracts foreigners to the country.

6. Botswana

Botswana is a country is Southern Africa. Botswana is topographically flat; and has up to 70 percent of its land in the Kalahari Desert. Botswana has a population of 2.3 million people, and the country is quite sparsely populated.

Botswana has an economy that is well diversified; the country has one of the fastest growth rates in per capita income in the world. Botswana was one of the poorest countries in the world; but it has now transformed itself to one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

Botswana’s development has come from very good investment in infrastructure. The country is very civilized; commerce, mining, finance, and other industries contribute to the economy.

7. Libya

Libya is a country in North Africa. Libya is a country in the Maghreb region in North Africa. Libya has a land area of almost 700,000 square miles, it is the fourth-largest country in Africa and the Arab world, and one of the largest countries in the world. Libya has a population of seven million people.

Libya has a very developed society; the country has all the infrastructure needed to be a great country. The social services, commerce, and physical infrastructure are all very good.

The bulk of the money spent by government in Libya is generated through oil sales.

8. Egypt

Egypt is a country in North Africa and the southwest corner of Asia. The country has a population of 100 million inhabitants, making it the 14th-most populated country in the world. Egypt has a land area of 1,010,408 KM2, and some of its coastline is in the Mediterranean area.

Egypt is one of the most civilized countries in Africa; its education, healthcare, security, commerce, and tourism sectors are very well developed. The sports sector of Egypt is very well administered and funded; it attracts many foreigners, especially from other parts of Africa.

Even though the tourism sector has been mentioned; it must be reiterated that Egypt has some of the most famous tourism sites in the world.

The country is also very important because it holds some of the keys to understanding the various stages of human development; Egypt is the Cradle of Humanity; from whence man started to develop, and to engage in the process of civilization.

9. Gabon

Gabon is a country in Africa; located on the west coast of Central Africa. Gabon has an area of nearly 270,000 square kilometers, but the population is just about 2.1 million people.

Gabon is quite a developed country; this small, peaceful nation has a very good infrastructure, healthcare, and security. The economy is centered upon oil exports which accounts for about 90% of government spending. Only a small part of the population is engaged in the oil industry, but the money finds a way to trickle down.

Furthermore, the services industry is also quite good in Gabon, and the tourism industry has received a big boost in recent years.

10. Morocco

Morocco scores 0.686 on the human development index. The country is located in North Africa, and is part of the Maghreb region. Morocco has a land area of 446,300 km2, and a population of 37 million. Morocco has some of its coastline in the Mediterranean Sea.

Morocco has a developed society; very good social amenities, security and a distinct cultural identity.

Morocco’s economy is diverse; agriculture, tourism, and the services sector all contribute to the growth and development of the country.

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