Nigeria occupies the 30th spot globally in the English Proficiency Index, achieving a score of 557, just behind Kenya (581) and South Africa (594). As one of Africa's linguistic leaders, this ranking highlights Nigeria’s strength in English proficiency, a vital skill driving communication, business, and education across the continent.
This data comes from the EF English Proficiency Index, which aggregated the test results of 2.2m adults from 113 countries and regions. Countries where English is the primary native spoken language are not included in this ranking. Ranks are determined by each country’s average score in the EF Standard English Test (EF SET).
Between 2018 and 2021, adult literacy rates across African nations exhibited significant disparities. Seychelles and South Africa led with literacy rates of 96% and 95%, respectively, indicating a high proportion of literate adults. Conversely, Chad had the lowest literacy rate during this period.
These statistics underscore the uneven progress in educational attainment across Africa, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to improve literacy in lower-performing nations.
Nigeria was the seventh most populous nation in the world in 2020, with 206.1 million people. Projected to reach a population of 401.3 million by 2050, Nigeria will rank third after India (1st) and China (2nd). According to Institut national d'études démographiques' projections, Nigeria, Ethiopia, DR Congo, Egypt, Tanzania, and Kenya will be among the world’s top 20 most populous countries by 2050.
Nigeria’s public debt decreased in dollar terms between June 2023 and June 2024. However, when converted to naira, it jumped to ₦134.3 trillion, largely due to currency devaluation. This sharp increase in debt could lead to tighter budgets, potentially affecting public services and everyday costs for Nigerians.
Between 2018 and 2021, adult literacy rates across African nations exhibited significant disparities. Seychelles and South Africa led with literacy rates of 96% and 95%, respectively, indicating a high proportion of literate adults. Conversely, Chad had the lowest literacy rate during this period.
These statistics underscore the uneven progress in educational attainment across Africa, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to improve literacy in lower-performing nations.
In 2023, an estimated 132.1 million newborns were welcomed worldwide, averaging 361.9 thousand births per day.
India, China, and Nigeria accounted for nearly 30% of daily births; India had the highest contribution with 63,600.
In 2023, Egypt, South Africa, Algeria, and Morocco dominated Africa's steel industry, accounting for 88% of the continent's production.
Egypt led the charge, contributing 43% of Africa's total steel output. Despite this, Africa's 23.92 million tonnes only make up 1.26% of global production.
Kenya's Revenue Authority has doubled its revenue, growing from KSh 1.1 trillion in the 2014/15 financial year to KSh 2.2 trillion in 2022/23.
The most significant annual growth occurred in 2021/22, with a 21.7% increase. Over nine years, tax revenue grew by an average of 9.4%, demonstrating consistent progress in Kenya's fiscal management.
Malawi's remittance inflow increased from $747k in 2000 to $263.4 million in 2023, with the highest year-on-year growth rate recorded in 2003. However, the biggest gain in value occurred in 2018, when it increased by $102.2 million over 2017.
Africa's sanitation crisis is alarming, with 17 of the top 20 countries having the highest open defecation rates.
Eritrea (67%), Niger (65%), and Chad (63%) lead, putting millions at risk of disease.
Even Nigeria, the most populous African country, has 18% of its population practising it.
Over the past six decades, African economies have experienced both rapid growth and severe contractions.
Nigeria and South Africa, often considered the continent’s economic heavyweights, have consistently ranked among Africa's top three economies since 1960.
North African Libya, Algeria and Egypt have also been in the top three in the period.
As of 2023, Egypt led the continent's GDP rankings.
In Q2 2024, Nigeria’s Company Income Tax (CIT) collections reached ₦2.47 trillion, a record-high figure that could cover about 9% of the nation’s ₦28.78 trillion budget.
The surge may be due to improved corporate profitability, better tax compliance, and stricter enforcement. The higher exchange rate probably played a role too.
With an average growth rate of 10.51%, the number of active Internet subscribers in Zimbabwe increased from 3.95 million in 2012 to 11.24 million in 2023. In contrast, the number of new mobile subscribers increased by just 2.36 million over 12 years.
In the same time, the population and active mobile subscribers of the southern African nation grew at average rates of 2.10% and 1.82%, respectively.
