The same countries—Burundi, Malawi, DR Congo, Mozambique, Niger, Liberia, Madagascar, Central African Republic, Chad, and Ethiopia—consistently occupy the bottom ranks over the years.
These countries remain far below the continent's average, often with GDP per person employed under $5,000 even in recent years.
Progress is marginal: while some, like Ethiopia and Mozambique, show slow growth, many fluctuate or even regress across periods.
Structural economic weaknesses, conflict, and low industrialisation seem to persist across the bottom group.
Gabon led Africa in GDP per person employed for 21 years, the most of any country, thanks largely to its oil wealth and smaller labour force.
Equatorial Guinea was a close second, topping the list for 12 straight years, particularly during its oil boom.
Libya never came first but held second place in 18 different years, showing long-term stability in productivity.
Algeria and Egypt frequently ranked in the top three but never led.
Nigeria, despite being Africa’s most populous country and once its largest economy, never made it into the top 3 and has consistently ranked around 23rd to 26th.
The leading countries tend to share a pattern: resource-driven economies with relatively smaller workforces, while lower-ranked ones often struggle.
