The continent of Africa is characterized by varying levels of development and geopolitical influence. Some countries have made great strides towards prosperity. Throughout history, high labor productivity has been a key driver behind the economic prosperity of many countries.
Africa, with its large and growing human resource base, represents a unique case in the global productivity landscape. The continent boasts a young and dynamic labor force with enormous potential.
According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), labor productivity is the total volume of output (measured by GDP, Gross Domestic Product) produced per unit of labor (measured by the number of people employed or hours worked) during a given reference time period.
Increased productivity allows firms to produce more goods and services with the same amount of labor, leading to higher profits, investments in new technologies, and higher wages for workers. Economies with high labor productivity can provide better social services, infrastructure, and living conditions for their populations.
Many African countries, however, suffer from low labor productivity compared to other developed economies. Poor infrastructure, economic mismanagement, and poor education and skills development are some of the main reasons for this.
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the 10 most productive countries in Africa according to the International Labor Organization:
| Rank | Country | GDP per hour worked $ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Libya | 30$ |
| 2 | Gabon | 26$ |
| 3 | Mauritius | 26$ |
| 4 | Botswana | 21$ |
| 5 | South Africa | 21$ |
| 6 | Egypt | 20$ |
| 7 | Equatorial Guinea | 20$ |
| 8 | Djibouti | 20$ |
| 9 | Algeria | 19$ |
| 10 | Tunisia | 16$ |
In Africa, Libya ranks first in terms of productivity with a GDP per hour worked of US$30 according to Ilostat data. Gabon and Mauritius follow closely behind with US$26.
