As of 2022, Seychelles was the African country with the highest estimated minimum gross monthly wage, standing at ****** U.S. dollars. It was followed by Morocco at ****** U.S. dollars and South Africa ****** U.S. dollars. Among the selected nations, only **** countries had a minimum wage above *** U.S. dollars on the continent. Minimum wage adjustments Legislations regarding minimum wages vary significantly across countries. The minimum remuneration of employees is usually proportionate to a specific area's cost of living. Determining a minimum wage aims to increase employees' living conditions while reducing poverty and inequality. Due to rising prices and inflation, governments occasionally adjust the minimum salary. In Africa, Sierra Leone experienced the highest increase in the minimum wage in recent years, with a growth of almost ** percent between 2010 and 2019. However, governments can also lower minimum wages. Liberia and Burundi reduced the lowest possible remuneration by around ** percent and ***** percent, respectively, between 2010 and 2019. Widespread informal employment Despite legislation in force, minimum wages are not always guaranteed. In fact, several forms of employment allow employers to avoid paying minimum wages. In addition, undeclared work remains a common practice in many countries worldwide. The situation is particularly critical in some African countries. According to estimates, over ** percent of the working population in Niger, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin, and Madagascar engaged in informal employment between 2019 and 2023. In Egypt and South Africa, the share stood at ** percent and ** percent, respectively. Seychelles had the lowest rate on the continent at around ** percent.

The average for 2021 based on 11 countries was 29.25 percent. The highest value was in the Central African Republic: 33.1 percent and the lowest value was in Guinea-Bissau: 26.1 percent. The indicator is available from 1963 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Seychelles recorded the highest Gross National Income (GNI) per capita in Africa as of 2023, at 16,940 U.S. dollars. The African island was, therefore, the only high-income country on the continent, according to the source's classification. Mauritius, Gabon, Botswana, Libya, South Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Algeria, and Namibia were defined as upper-middle-income economies, those with a GNI per capita between 4,516 U.S. dollars and 14,005 U.S. dollars. On the opposite, 20 African countries recorded a GNI per capita below 1,145 U.S. dollars, being thus classified as low-income economies. Among them, Burundi presented the lowest income per capita, some 230 U.S. dollars. Poverty and population growth in Africa Despite a few countries being in the high income and upper-middle countries classification, Africa had a significant number of people living under extreme poverty. However, this number is expected to decline gradually in the upcoming years, with experts forecasting that this number will decrease to almost 400 million individuals by 2030 from nearly 430 million in 2023, despite the continent currently having the highest population growth rate globally. African economic growth and prosperity In recent years, Africa showed significant growth in various industries, such as natural gas production, clean energy generation, and services exports. Furthermore, it is forecast that the GDP growth rate would reach 4.5 percent by 2027, keeping the overall positive trend of economic growth in the continent.

The average for 2021 based on 26 countries was 27.88 percent. The highest value was in South Africa: 51.81 percent and the lowest value was in the Republic of the Congo: 8.63 percent. The indicator is available from 1972 to 2022. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

With only 1,100 euros after accounting for purchasing power parity (PPP), Yemen had the lowest average income per adult worldwide in 2022. However, most of the countries on the list are located in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Central African Republic CF: Exports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Exports: Sub-Saharan Africa data was reported at 6.415 % in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 9.747 % for 2022. Central African Republic CF: Exports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Exports: Sub-Saharan Africa data is updated yearly, averaging 5.264 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2023, with 62 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 72.768 % in 2019 and a record low of 0.287 % in 1968. Central African Republic CF: Exports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Exports: Sub-Saharan Africa data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Central African Republic – Table CF.World Bank.WDI: Exports. Merchandise exports to low- and middle-income economies in Sub-Saharan Africa are the sum of merchandise exports from the reporting economy to low- and middle-income economies in the Sub-Saharan Africa region according to World Bank classification of economies. Data are as a percentage of total merchandise exports by the economy. Data are computed only if at least half of the economies in the partner country group had non-missing data.;World Bank staff estimates based data from International Monetary Fund's Direction of Trade database.;Weighted average;

Trinidad and Tobago TT: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Sub-Saharan Africa data was reported at 12.110 % in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 12.682 % for 2015. Trinidad and Tobago TT: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Sub-Saharan Africa data is updated yearly, averaging 0.988 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 51 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 20.140 % in 2014 and a record low of 0.016 % in 1986. Trinidad and Tobago TT: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Sub-Saharan Africa data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Trinidad and Tobago – Table TT.World Bank: Imports. Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in Sub-Saharan Africa are the sum of merchandise imports by the reporting economy from low- and middle-income economies in the Sub-Saharan Africa region according to the World Bank classification of economies. Data are expressed as a percentage of total merchandise imports by the economy. Data are computed only if at least half of the economies in the partner country group had non-missing data.; ; World Bank staff estimates based data from International Monetary Fund's Direction of Trade database.; Weighted average;

Central African Republic CF: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Sub-Saharan Africa data was reported at 31.602 % in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 45.826 % for 2022. Central African Republic CF: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Sub-Saharan Africa data is updated yearly, averaging 15.369 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2023, with 62 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 47.960 % in 2005 and a record low of 2.578 % in 1983. Central African Republic CF: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Sub-Saharan Africa data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Central African Republic – Table CF.World Bank.WDI: Imports. Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in Sub-Saharan Africa are the sum of merchandise imports by the reporting economy from low- and middle-income economies in the Sub-Saharan Africa region according to the World Bank classification of economies. Data are expressed as a percentage of total merchandise imports by the economy. Data are computed only if at least half of the economies in the partner country group had non-missing data.;World Bank staff estimates based data from International Monetary Fund's Direction of Trade database.;Weighted average;

Since 1970, net national incomes per capita have grown in each region of the world. North America has experienced the largest increase, growing from nearly 4,500 U.S. dollars per capita in 1970 to $57,300 per capita in 2021. Europe and Central Asia follow behind North America, growing from 1,200 dollars per capita in 1970 to 22,000 in 2021. Other regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and South Asia have not grown as high, but their growth is still significant, with net national incomes per capita in 2021 growing to between 10 and 20 times their 1970 levels.

Ivory Coast CI: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Sub-Saharan Africa data was reported at 18.905 % in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 20.238 % for 2015. Ivory Coast CI: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Sub-Saharan Africa data is updated yearly, averaging 14.547 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 35.000 % in 2008 and a record low of 0.579 % in 1961. Ivory Coast CI: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Sub-Saharan Africa data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ivory Coast – Table CI.World Bank: Imports. Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in Sub-Saharan Africa are the sum of merchandise imports by the reporting economy from low- and middle-income economies in the Sub-Saharan Africa region according to the World Bank classification of economies. Data are expressed as a percentage of total merchandise imports by the economy. Data are computed only if at least half of the economies in the partner country group had non-missing data.; ; World Bank staff estimates based data from International Monetary Fund's Direction of Trade database.; Weighted average;

Palau PW: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Sub-Saharan Africa data was reported at 0.026 % in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.053 % for 2015. Palau PW: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Sub-Saharan Africa data is updated yearly, averaging 0.048 % from Dec 2007 (Median) to 2016, with 10 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.343 % in 2008 and a record low of 0.014 % in 2011. Palau PW: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Sub-Saharan Africa data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Palau – Table PW.World Bank.WDI: Imports. Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in Sub-Saharan Africa are the sum of merchandise imports by the reporting economy from low- and middle-income economies in the Sub-Saharan Africa region according to the World Bank classification of economies. Data are expressed as a percentage of total merchandise imports by the economy. Data are computed only if at least half of the economies in the partner country group had non-missing data.; ; World Bank staff estimates based data from International Monetary Fund's Direction of Trade database.; Weighted average;

Trinidad and Tobago TT: Exports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Exports: Sub-Saharan Africa data was reported at 2.764 % in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.030 % for 2015. Trinidad and Tobago TT: Exports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Exports: Sub-Saharan Africa data is updated yearly, averaging 0.379 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 56 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.475 % in 2010 and a record low of 0.006 % in 1986. Trinidad and Tobago TT: Exports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Exports: Sub-Saharan Africa data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Trinidad and Tobago – Table TT.World Bank.WDI: Exports. Merchandise exports to low- and middle-income economies in Sub-Saharan Africa are the sum of merchandise exports from the reporting economy to low- and middle-income economies in the Sub-Saharan Africa region according to World Bank classification of economies. Data are as a percentage of total merchandise exports by the economy. Data are computed only if at least half of the economies in the partner country group had non-missing data.; ; World Bank staff estimates based data from International Monetary Fund's Direction of Trade database.; Weighted average;

Nauru NR: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Sub-Saharan Africa data was reported at 0.989 % in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.613 % for 2015. Nauru NR: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Sub-Saharan Africa data is updated yearly, averaging 0.840 % from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2016, with 17 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 89.179 % in 2002 and a record low of 0.010 % in 2013. Nauru NR: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Sub-Saharan Africa data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Nauru – Table NR.World Bank: Imports. Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in Sub-Saharan Africa are the sum of merchandise imports by the reporting economy from low- and middle-income economies in the Sub-Saharan Africa region according to the World Bank classification of economies. Data are expressed as a percentage of total merchandise imports by the economy. Data are computed only if at least half of the economies in the partner country group had non-missing data.; ; World Bank staff estimates based data from International Monetary Fund's Direction of Trade database.; Weighted average;

Latvia LV: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Sub-Saharan Africa data was reported at 0.031 % in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.052 % for 2015. Latvia LV: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Sub-Saharan Africa data is updated yearly, averaging 0.052 % from Dec 1992 (Median) to 2016, with 25 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.272 % in 1994 and a record low of 0.017 % in 1992. Latvia LV: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Sub-Saharan Africa data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Latvia – Table LV.World Bank.WDI: Imports. Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in Sub-Saharan Africa are the sum of merchandise imports by the reporting economy from low- and middle-income economies in the Sub-Saharan Africa region according to the World Bank classification of economies. Data are expressed as a percentage of total merchandise imports by the economy. Data are computed only if at least half of the economies in the partner country group had non-missing data.; ; World Bank staff estimates based data from International Monetary Fund's Direction of Trade database.; Weighted average;

Samoa WS: Exports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Exports: Sub-Saharan Africa data was reported at 0.139 % in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.099 % for 2015. Samoa WS: Exports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Exports: Sub-Saharan Africa data is updated yearly, averaging 0.099 % from Dec 1973 (Median) to 2016, with 25 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.588 % in 2014 and a record low of 0.000 % in 2005. Samoa WS: Exports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Exports: Sub-Saharan Africa data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Samoa – Table WS.World Bank: Exports. Merchandise exports to low- and middle-income economies in Sub-Saharan Africa are the sum of merchandise exports from the reporting economy to low- and middle-income economies in the Sub-Saharan Africa region according to World Bank classification of economies. Data are as a percentage of total merchandise exports by the economy. Data are computed only if at least half of the economies in the partner country group had non-missing data.; ; World Bank staff estimates based data from International Monetary Fund's Direction of Trade database.; Weighted average;

Aruba AW: Exports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Exports: Sub-Saharan Africa data was reported at 0.002 % in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.003 % for 2022. Aruba AW: Exports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Exports: Sub-Saharan Africa data is updated yearly, averaging 0.074 % from Dec 1996 (Median) to 2023, with 24 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.619 % in 2013 and a record low of 0.001 % in 2020. Aruba AW: Exports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Exports: Sub-Saharan Africa data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Aruba – Table AW.World Bank.WDI: Exports. Merchandise exports to low- and middle-income economies in Sub-Saharan Africa are the sum of merchandise exports from the reporting economy to low- and middle-income economies in the Sub-Saharan Africa region according to World Bank classification of economies. Data are as a percentage of total merchandise exports by the economy. Data are computed only if at least half of the economies in the partner country group had non-missing data.;World Bank staff estimates based data from International Monetary Fund's Direction of Trade database.;Weighted average;

Montenegro ME: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Sub-Saharan Africa data was reported at 0.117 % in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.123 % for 2015. Montenegro ME: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Sub-Saharan Africa data is updated yearly, averaging 0.076 % from Dec 2006 (Median) to 2016, with 11 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.203 % in 2011 and a record low of 0.036 % in 2008. Montenegro ME: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Sub-Saharan Africa data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Montenegro – Table ME.World Bank: Imports. Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in Sub-Saharan Africa are the sum of merchandise imports by the reporting economy from low- and middle-income economies in the Sub-Saharan Africa region according to the World Bank classification of economies. Data are expressed as a percentage of total merchandise imports by the economy. Data are computed only if at least half of the economies in the partner country group had non-missing data.; ; World Bank staff estimates based data from International Monetary Fund's Direction of Trade database.; Weighted average;

Sudan SD: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Sub-Saharan Africa data was reported at 3.458 % in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 2.244 % for 2015. Sudan SD: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Sub-Saharan Africa data is updated yearly, averaging 2.230 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.851 % in 1994 and a record low of 0.003 % in 1979. Sudan SD: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Sub-Saharan Africa data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Sudan – Table SD.World Bank: Imports. Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in Sub-Saharan Africa are the sum of merchandise imports by the reporting economy from low- and middle-income economies in the Sub-Saharan Africa region according to the World Bank classification of economies. Data are expressed as a percentage of total merchandise imports by the economy. Data are computed only if at least half of the economies in the partner country group had non-missing data.; ; World Bank staff estimates based data from International Monetary Fund's Direction of Trade database.; Weighted average;

Zimbabwe ZW: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Sub-Saharan Africa data was reported at 78.688 % in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 74.905 % for 2015. Zimbabwe ZW: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Sub-Saharan Africa data is updated yearly, averaging 42.798 % from Dec 1964 (Median) to 2016, with 39 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 80.067 % in 2009 and a record low of 17.173 % in 1988. Zimbabwe ZW: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Sub-Saharan Africa data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Zimbabwe – Table ZW.World Bank: Imports. Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in Sub-Saharan Africa are the sum of merchandise imports by the reporting economy from low- and middle-income economies in the Sub-Saharan Africa region according to the World Bank classification of economies. Data are expressed as a percentage of total merchandise imports by the economy. Data are computed only if at least half of the economies in the partner country group had non-missing data.; ; World Bank staff estimates based data from International Monetary Fund's Direction of Trade database.; Weighted average;

South Africa ZA: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Sub-Saharan Africa data was reported at 10.041 % in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 10.387 % for 2015. South Africa ZA: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Sub-Saharan Africa data is updated yearly, averaging 6.184 % from Dec 1998 (Median) to 2016, with 19 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 12.898 % in 2014 and a record low of 2.027 % in 2000. South Africa ZA: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Sub-Saharan Africa data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.World Bank: Imports. Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in Sub-Saharan Africa are the sum of merchandise imports by the reporting economy from low- and middle-income economies in the Sub-Saharan Africa region according to the World Bank classification of economies. Data are expressed as a percentage of total merchandise imports by the economy. Data are computed only if at least half of the economies in the partner country group had non-missing data.; ; World Bank staff estimates based data from International Monetary Fund's Direction of Trade database.; Weighted average;