Most Africans have continued to grapple with economic hardship despite modest improvements in economic perceptions since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new Afrobarometer report covering 38 countries across the continent.

The report, based on 50,961 interviews conducted in 2024 and 2025, found that unemployment and the rising cost of living remain among the most pressing concerns for citizens, while majorities continue to rate their governments poorly on key economic issues.

According to the findings, 82 per cent of respondents said their governments were performing badly in keeping prices stable, while 79 per cent expressed dissatisfaction with efforts to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor.

About 76 per cent rated their governments poorly on job creation, and 73 per cent said authorities were failing to improve the living standards of poor citizens.

The survey showed that 64 per cent of Africans believe their governments are doing a poor job of managing the economy overall.

While public assessments remain largely negative, Afrobarometer noted some improvement compared with the pandemic years.

Across 28 countries surveyed consistently since 2014, ratings of government performance on economic issues improved modestly in the latest survey round.

However, perceptions of economic conditions remain weaker than they were a decade ago. Six in 10 Africans, or 59 per cent, described their country’s economic situation as “fairly bad” or “very bad,” while nearly half of respondents said their personal living conditions were poor.

The findings also highlighted widespread material deprivation across the continent. Majorities of respondents reported that they or a family member had gone without essential necessities at least once during the previous year.

About 79 per cent said they lacked a cash income at some point, while 65 per cent reported going without needed medical care. Food shortages affected 58 per cent of respondents, while 57 per cent experienced a lack of clean water and 52 per cent went without cooking fuel.

The report identified unemployment as the second most important issue Africans want their governments to address, cited by 33 per cent of respondents among their top three priorities. Only health ranked higher at 38 per cent.

The increasing cost of living was also a major concern, with 23 per cent of respondents listing it among their top priorities. Poverty, economic management and wages were also frequently mentioned.

Afrobarometer said the findings underscore the continuing economic challenges facing millions of Africans despite signs of recovery from the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pan-African research network conducts nationally representative surveys on democracy, governance and quality of life across the continent. Its latest survey round covered 38 countries and was conducted through face-to-face interviews with adults in their preferred languages.