In this article, we will be taking a look at the 15 healthiest countries in Africa. You can also skip our detailed analysis on the global health market and visit 5 Healthiest Countries In Africa.
Global Healthcare Market Growth and Africa’s Strategic Shift Towards Localized Health Solutions
The healthcare services market grew from $7.5 trillion in 2022 to $7.975 trillion in 2023. It is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3%, or $9.8 trillion, through 2027. The global healthcare market is divided into several segments, including hospitals, digital health, and healthcare services. The hospital market alone is predicted to grow by 4.18% a year between 2024 and 2029, reaching a market volume of $5.19 trillion by that point.
The African healthcare market is valued at approximately $50 billion annually, as reported by World Economic Forum. This includes the market for vaccines and medicines, which are predominantly imported. By 2030, Africa’s healthcare sector is projected to be worth an estimated $259 billion. The digital health market in Africa is projected to reach $4.86 billion in 2024. This sector includes digital fitness and well-being, online doctor consultations, and digital treatment and care. : Efforts are underway to shift from importing over 90% of healthcare needs to producing equipment and pharmaceuticals locally. Countries such as South Africa, Senegal, and Algeria are increasing their manufacturing capacities, while Rwanda, Kenya, Nigeria, and Morocco are establishing new facilities.
African Union countries have committed to allocating at least 15% of their budgets annually to the health sector, as per the Abuja Declaration. As of 2021, only a few countries, like South Africa and Cabo Verde, have met this target. In 2021, multilateral development banks provided $12.2 billion in health financing, a 10.5% increase from 2020. This financing includes concessional loans, non-concessional loans, and grants.
Key Players in Health Care Market
Several Companies like UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH), Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV), and Cigna Group, among others stand out for their developments and contributions to healthcare. UnitedHealth Group has been at the forefront of healthcare innovation, focusing on consumer needs and leveraging technology to streamline healthcare delivery. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) collaborates with various stakeholders, including governments and healthcare providers, to build a modern, high-performance health system. The company holds a 15% share of the U.S. health insurance market, making it the largest health insurance provider in the United States. The company is a member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America Indices since 1999. Financially, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH)’s revenues increased to $98.9 billion in Q2 2024, up from $92.9 billion in the same quarter last year, marking a nearly $6 billion or 6.5% increase year-over-year. This growth was driven by robust performance in both Optum and UnitedHealthcare divisions. Their net earnings attributable to shareholders were $4.2 billion in Q2, or $4.54 per share, compared to $5.4 billion, or $5.82 per share, in the previous year. UnitedHealth updated its full-year 2024 net earnings outlook to $15.95 to $16.40 per share, with adjusted earnings per share projected between $27.50 and $28.00.
Similarly, Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV), which was formerly known as Anthem, Inc., is a prominent health company dedicated to improving the health of individuals and communities. It was named in the top 10 of America’s Most JUST Companies by JUST Capital and CNBC, ranking first in minimizing environmental impact and good governance within the healthcare industry. Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) reported operating revenue of $43.2 billion in Q2 2024, which was approximately flat compared to the previous year which was influenced by changes in Medicaid membership and increased premium yields. The health benefit segment reported operating revenue of $37.2 billion in Q2 which is a 2% decline from the previous year. The company reported a total membership of 45.8 million in the same period, with a year-over-year attrition of 354,000 lives in Medicaid membership. Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) reaffirmed its full-year adjusted diluted EPS guidance of at least $37.20, indicating a 12% growth year-over-year.
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A doctor holding a laptop with a digital health platform application open in front of a medical image.
Our Methodology
For our list, we looked at two indexes: the GHS index of 2021 and the health pillar of Legatum Prosperity index of 2023. The 2021 Global Health Security (GHS) Index assesses 195 countries’ preparedness for epidemics and pandemics across six categories. The global average score is 38.9, indicating weak international readiness despite COVID-19 efforts. Similarly, The Health pillar of the 2023 Legatum Prosperity Index assesses health outcomes, systems, risk factors, and mortality rates, highlighting the importance of physical and mental health and access to effective healthcare services for individual and national prosperity. Hence, we averaged the scores of GHS, and the health pillar’s from Legatum index and the final rankings in our list were adjusted according to the average we obtained of these scores.
Further, the data for obesity and malnutrition that we’ve discussed for some of these countries comes from GlobalNutrition.Org.
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Here is our list of the 15 healthiest countries in Africa.
15. Tanzania
Insider Monkey Score: 13.5
Tanzania is one of the healthiest countries in Africa yet it faces substantial health challenges. Approximately 34% of children under five are stunted, which is above the regional average, which indicates a high prevalence of undernutrition. Obesity affects 15.2% of adult women and 5.0% of adult men, which is lower than the regional average. Over five years, the health system costs are projected to reach TZS 23 trillion (USD 10 billion), with annual expenses rising from TZS 4 trillion in 2021 to nearly TZS 5 trillion by 2025 (USD 1.7 billion to USD 2.1 billion).
14. Sudan
Insider Monkey Score: 12.5
Sudan is considered one of the healthiest countries in Africa but still poses challenges. Sudan’s health expenditure is not well-documented in the provided search results. However, the Human Rights Measurement Initiative indicates that Sudan is fulfilling only 62% of what it should be for the right to health based on its income level. The country has a young population, with a median age of 19.6 years, and life expectancy at birth is estimated at 62 years for males and 66 years for females.
13. Djibouti
Insider Monkey Score: 11.5
Djibouti, located in the Horn of Africa, presents a complex health landscape characterized by both challenges and progress. Djibouti’s health market is influenced by its status as a low-middle-income country, with significant portions of the population living in poverty. Over 40% of the population lives in poverty, and maternal and child mortality rates remain high. The country faces a generalized HIV epidemic with a prevalence rate of 2.7%, alongside high rates of tuberculosis (TB) and TB/HIV co-infections. The country’s GDP per capita is approximately USD 3,136.
12. Rwanda
Insider Monkey Score: 10.5
Rwanda’s healthcare system is noted for its organization and accessibility. The country provides health insurance to all citizens at a minimal cost of $2 per year, although the actual cost of healthcare per person ranges from $14 to $20. This cost is subsidized by the government and international donors. Life expectancy in Rwanda has increased significantly, rising from 51 years in 2002 to 66 years in recent years.1
11. Ethiopia
Insider Monkey Score: 10
Ethiopia stands eleventh among the healthiest countries in Africa. The country is projected to experience significant economic growth, with a real GDP growth rate of 6.7% in 2024. In 2021, Ethiopia’s health expenditure was 3.2% of its GDP, showing a general decline from 2002 to 2021. In 2016/17, health spending was $3.1 billion, or 4.2% of GDP. Despite this decrease in percentage, per capita health spending grew from $4 in 1995 to $33.20 in 2016/17. Efforts to improve health financing are ongoing, with international aid and partnerships playing a crucial role in supplementing domestic resources.
10. Namibia
Insider Monkey Score: 10
Namibia’s health market is shaped by its efforts to address both communicable and non-communicable diseases. The country has launched significant health strategies, such as the Tripartite One Health National Strategy 2024–2028. The country has made some progress in reducing stunting among children under five, with a prevalence of 22.7%, which is lower than the African regional average of 30.7%. However, challenges remain, such as a high prevalence of anemia among women of reproductive age (25.2%) and a significant percentage of children affected by wasting (7.1%). In 2022/23, Namibia allocated 16.6% of its budget to health, significantly above the SADC regional average of 2.4% and its income group’s average of 4%. The per capita health spending is about $407 (N$6,500).
9. South Africa
Insider Monkey Score: 9.5
South Africa has one of the highest healthcare indices in Africa with a score of 63.15. The medical aid market in South Africa is well-developed, with various schemes such as Discovery Health, GEMS, Bonitas, Polmed, and Momentum offering diverse plans tailored to different needs and financial capabilities. South Africa’s investment in healthcare is notable, with more than 50% of its national health budget funded by the government, a figure only matched by a few other African countries like Algeria and Botswana. South Africa allocates approximately 8% to 9% of its GDP to healthcare.
8. Kenya
Insider Monkey Score: 9.5
Kenya’s health market is characterized by a mix of public and private healthcare providers, with a significant focus on improving universal health coverage (UHC). In 2021, Kenya’s healthcare spending was allocated as follows: 47.1% came from government transfers, 22.77% from out-of-pocket expenses by individuals, and 18.43% from external aid. Projects like CASCADE are working to enhance nutrition and food security, directly impacting health outcomes.
7. Malawi
Insider Monkey Score: 8.5
Malawi is considered to be a healthy country in Africa. Malawi has shown progress in some health and nutrition indicators, particularly in maternal, infant, and young child nutrition. The country is on course to meet targets for wasting, with only 2.6% of children under five affected, which is lower than the African regional average of 6.0%. Malawi receives international support to address its health challenges. For instance, Germany committed 70 million euros in new funding to Malawi, focusing on health, social protection, and population policy.
6. Senegal
Insider Monkey Score: 7
Senegal stands sixth among the healthiest countries in Africa with a health score of 63.62. The country has been implementing projects such as Feed the Future Senegal Cultivating Nutrition, which aims to enhance access to diverse and nutritious food and promote healthy diets. Senegal’s economy has shown resilience, with a projected real GDP growth rate of 9.8% in 2024. The prevalence of stunting in children under five is lower than the regional average, at 17.9% compared to 30.7% for the African region. In 2021, Senegal’s total health expenditure (THE) amounted to 833.1 billion, representing 5.5% of the GDP of the nation.
5. Ghana
Insider Monkey Score: 7
Ghana stands among the healthiest countries in Africa. The country has a lower obesity prevalence compared to the regional average, with 19.3% of adult women and 5.6% of adult men affected. The country is ‘on course’ to meet targets for reducing stunting in children under five, with a prevalence rate of 17.5%, which is lower than the African regional average of 30.7%. The WHO estimates that an additional 9.5 million people in Ghana are expected to enjoy better health and well-being by 2050.
4. Sao Tome and Principe
Insider Monkey Score: 4.5
São Tomé and Príncipe’s health sector is supported by various international organizations, including the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Africa Health Organisation (AHO). Sao Tome and Principe spent $186 per person on health in 2021, accounting for 9.5% of the country’s GDP. 1.5% of people had out-of-pocket medical expenses in 2020. With a value of nearly $10 million, the WHO’s Country Cooperation Strategy for 2023–2027 seeks to engage more development partners while assisting the nation in achieving its health goals. The country has achieved progress in reducing stunting and wasting among children under five, with rates lower than the African average. Exclusive breastfeeding rates are also high, with 63.1% of infants aged 0 to 5 months being exclusively breastfed.
3. Cabo Verde
Insider Monkey Score: 2.5
Cabo Verde has been certified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as malaria-free. The prevalence of obesity in Cabo Verde is 18.9% among adult women and 8.5% among adult men, which is lower than the regional average for Africa which makes Cabo Verde a healthy country in Africa. Healthcare spending in Cabo Verde increased from $68 in 2002 to $248 per person in 2021, accounting for 15.75% of the national budget and more than the average of the African Union, which is 7.35%.
2. Mauritius
Insider Monkey Score: 2.5
The average life expectancy in Mauritius is approximately 75 years. In 2024, Mauritius is projected to spend $256.10 per capita on healthcare. The prevalence of obesity is also lower in the country than the regional average, with 17.8% of adult women and 6.5% of adult men classified as obese.
1. Seychelles
Insider Monkey Score: 1
Seychelles stands first among the healthiest countries in Africa. The average life expectancy in the country is approximately 73 years, with women living about 9 years longer than men. The prevalence of stunting among children under five is 7.9%, significantly lower than the regional average of 30.7%. Additionally, only 4.3% of children under five are affected by wasting, compared to the regional average of 6.0%. Seychelles’ health expenditure per capita was $718 in 2021 .
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Disclosure. None: The 15 Healthiest Countries in Africa is originally published on Insider Monkey.