Mauritius has been ranked Africa’s most progressive country in the 2026 Global Social Progress Index, highlighting the island nation’s strong social and environmental performance. The latest Index reveals worrying trends worldwide, suggesting that improvements in quality of life may be slowing or even reversing after years of steady gains.
According to the report, global rights scores have fallen by nearly six points since 2011, including a 1.9-point decline between 2021 and 2025. Meanwhile, progress in health, personal safety, environmental quality, water and sanitation, housing, and access to information has either stagnated or deteriorated.
The Global Social Progress Index evaluates 57 social and environmental indicators across 171 countries, covering over 99 percent of the world’s population. Unlike traditional economic rankings, it measures how effectively countries transform economic growth into real improvements in living conditions for their citizens.
In Africa, Mauritius leads the ranking, followed by Algeria, Tunisia, South Africa, Cape Verde, Morocco, Botswana, Libya, Namibia, and Ghana. The Index underscores the urgent need for governments worldwide to prioritize social wellbeing alongside economic development.
Experts warn that the global slowdown in social progress could have far-reaching consequences, from reduced access to basic services to growing inequality and environmental challenges. As nations prepare for the next wave of policy initiatives, the Index serves as a critical benchmark for identifying areas requiring immediate attention.
With Mauritius setting an example in social progress, other African countries are encouraged to learn from its strategies in healthcare, safety, infrastructure, and governance to ensure inclusive and sustainable growth for their populations.
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