A developed country is defined by characteristics such as a well-established and diverse economy, a stable and efficient government, advanced infrastructure, a strong education system, plentiful employment opportunities, accessible healthcare and social services, and a high level of personal freedom. Countries that meet some but not all of these criteria are considered developing, while those significantly lacking are classified as least developed nations and may qualify for special United Nations assistance programs.
The United Nations’ annual Human Development Index (HDI) is the most recognized tool for evaluating a country’s development status. This comprehensive metric incorporates indicators such as adult literacy rates, life expectancy, income inequality, and mobile phone penetration, generating a score between 0.00 and 1.00. Based on their HDI scores, countries are categorized into four levels: low human development (0–0.55), medium human development (0.55–0.70), high human development (0.70–0.80), and very high human development (0.80–1.00).
In the 2021/22 HDI report, 66 countries achieved scores of 0.80 or higher, earning the “developed” classification. Despite this progress, Africa remains the least-developed continent, apart from Antarctica, with many countries facing persistent challenges such as poverty, corruption, and armed conflict. Among Africa’s 54 nations, only Mauritius achieved “very high human development,” while eight others reached the “high human development” category, with the potential to advance further.
Mauritius stands as Africa’s most developed country, with an HDI of 0.802, just meeting the threshold for “very high human development.” The country offers free healthcare and education, has a literacy rate of 91.3%, and a life expectancy of 75 years. While Mauritius ranks 66th out of 189 countries globally, showcasing Africa’s developmental gap compared to other regions, its achievements provide a model for other nations on the continent.
Seychelles follows closely with an HDI of 0.785. Its economic growth is largely driven by tourism, with the country’s GDP increasing nearly sevenfold since 1976. Algeria, ranked as the third most developed country in Africa, boasts an HDI of 0.745 and holds the highest life expectancy on the continent.
