Most Africans continue to face economic hardship even as perceptions of government performance show modest gains since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the latest Afrobarometer Pan-Africa Profile released this week.
The report, based on 50,961 face-to-face interviews across 38 countries in 2024 and 2025, finds that while public ratings on key economic issues have improved slightly, they remain overwhelmingly negative.
Large majorities say their governments are performing “fairly badly” or “very badly” on keeping prices stable at 82%, narrowing gaps between rich and poor at 79%, creating jobs at 76%, improving living standards of the poor at 73%, and managing the overall economy at 64%.
Despite the grim assessments, tracking data from 28 countries surveyed since 2014 shows a modest turnaround in the most recent round on all five indicators.
Still, six in 10 Africans describe their country’s economic condition as bad. About half, 49%, say their personal living conditions are “fairly bad” or “very bad.”
The share of respondents rating the national economy poorly has fallen by 7 percentage points compared to the 2021/2023 surveys. However, it remains 6 points higher than a decade ago, suggesting recovery has not returned conditions to pre-pandemic levels.
Unemployment and the rising cost of living top the list of problems citizens want governments to address. Unemployment ranks second, cited by 33% of respondents as one of their top three priorities, behind only health at 38%.
The increasing cost of living is tied for third at 23%. Other economic concerns also feature prominently: poverty at 10%, management of the economy at 8%, and wages at 5%.
The report points to widespread material deprivation across the continent. Majorities say they or a family member went without basic necessities at least once in the past year.
This includes cash income at 79%, medical care at 65%, food at 58%, clean water at 57%, and cooking fuel at 52%.
Analysts say the findings highlight a gap between macro-level recovery signals and lived experience. While governments may be stabilising some indicators post-COVID, households still struggle with jobs, prices, and access to essentials.
Afrobarometer is a pan-African, non-partisan research network that conducts public attitude surveys on democracy, governance, and economic conditions. The latest round covers 38 countries and offers one of the most comprehensive snapshots of citizen views on the continent.
The data suggests that for many Africans, economic recovery remains more statistical than tangible. Until jobs are created, prices stabilize, and basic needs are met consistently, public confidence in government economic management is likely to stay low.
A Daily Guide Report