5 African Countries with the Highest Average Monthly Salary

Report shows that Morocco and South Africa have the highest average salaries on the continent.

According to the World Bank report, 85% of people in Africa live on less than $5.50 a day. This is because, in some African countries, the highest average monthly salary is insufficient in sustaining the increasing cost of living.

Despite Sub-Saharan African low-income levels from 2016, the cities are expensive to live in. The costs of products and services purchased by families in urban areas are roughly 30% higher than in nations with comparable income levels.

Food and non-alcoholic drinks (35%) are the most expensive, followed by housing rent (55%) and transportation (42%) which is household expenditures on car, personal transport equipment operation, and transportation services.

With the fact that African countries such as Morocco, South Africa have the highest average salary on the continent, the countries have the most expensive cities with the highest cost of living. According to Salary Explorer data, here are African countries with the highest average monthly salary.

Morocco

A Moroccan worker normally makes roughly 19,400 Morrocan Dirham (MAD) or $1966.58  per month. The incomes vary from 4,910 MAD or $497.73 (lowest average) to 86,700 MAD or $8788.79 (highest average). This includes housing, transportation, and other benefits. Salaries for various occupations fluctuate dramatically.

According to the data from Statista, people working in the field of executive management and change in Morocco earned the highest average salary of $130,000 per year in 2022. Sales and business development specialists came in second, with an annual salary of $96,000. 

Individuals working in IT and software development earned the lowest income, $36,000 US per year.

South Africa

In South Africa, a month’s salary for a worker is roughly 31,100 ZAR or $2020.60. The lowest average salary is 7,880 ZAR or $511.97, while the highest average salary is 139,000 ZAR or $9030.98.

In South Africa, one of the criteria for deciding a salary is experience. Employees with two to five years of experience earn 32% more on average than new and juniors across all sectors and specialities. Professionals with more than five years of experience earn 36% more on average than those with five or lesser years of experience. When you reach the ten-year milestone, your compensation improves by 21%, and when you get the fifteen-year mark, your salary increases by another 14%.

Tunisia

A Tunisian worker makes roughly 3,910 TND or $1322.73 per month on average. Salaries vary from 990 TND or $334.91 (the lowest average) to 17,500 TND or $5920.16 (the highest average).

The median monthly wage is 3,830 TND or $1295.67, implying that half of the population (50%) earns less than 3,830 TND, and the other half earns more. The median represents the middle-wage value.

Two numbers are closely connected to the median: the 25th and 75th percentiles. According to the salary distribution chart by Salary Explorer, 25% of the population earns less than 2,170 TND, while 75% earn more than 2,170 TND. Also, 75% of the population makes less than 10,400 TND, whereas 25% earn more than 10,400 TND.

Kenya

In Kenya, a month’s salary for a worker is roughly 147,000 KES or $1288.91. Salaries vary from 37,100 KES or $325.30 (the lowest average) to 656,000 KES or $5751.86 (the highest average).

The median monthly wage is 141,000 KES or $1236.30, which implies that half of the population (50%) earns less than 141,000 KES, and the other half earns more than it. According to the Salary Explorer data, 25% of the population earn less than 80,200 KES or $703.20, while 75% earn more. Also, 75% of the population earns less than 382,000 KES or $3349.41, whereas 25% earn more.

Algeria

A worker in Algeria makes roughly 180,000 DZD or $1261.28 per month on average. Salaries vary from 45,400 DZD or $318.12 (the lowest average) to 801,000 DZD or $5612.70 (the highest average).

The median monthly wage is 176,000 DZD or $1233.25, implying that half of the population earns less than 176,000 DZD and the other half makes more than 176,000 DZD. Also, 25% of the population earns less than 99,600 DZD or $667.91, while 75% earn more.

Also, 75% of the population earns less than 479,000 DZD or $3356.41, whereas 25% earn more.

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