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| A market in Victoria the capital of Seychelles. |
According to the latest 2016 data from Numbeo, the leading collaborative economic analysis platform, Seychelles has the highest cost of living in Africa, with a Cost of Living Index of 64.5 (based on a New York City index of 100). This reflects the high prices of everyday expenses, including food (index 74.8) and restaurants (66.2), primarily due to the island nation's heavy reliance on imports and its small, tourism-oriented economy.
In contrast, Libya has the lowest cost of living on the continent, with an index of 18.3. This makes daily expenses significantly cheaper than in New York, with low scores for food (22.8), restaurants (12.4), and rent.
Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index measures the relative prices of consumer goods, rent, and services, based on user-submitted data. Seychelles leads the African rankings, followed by the Democratic Republic of Congo (50.2), Senegal (48.5), Cape Verde (46.3), and Côte d’Ivoire (44.8). Libya tops the list as the most affordable country, with Egypt (21.6) and other nearby countries at the bottom.
These disparities highlight how factors such as import dependence, island geography, and local economic conditions influence the cost of living across the continent. The data provides an overview for residents, expatriates, and policymakers comparing affordability in 2026.