Insight of the Day

Africa’s Data Quality Problem


 
30 June 2026
 
African GDP and Population data are both of very poor quality. Governance is also rated as being very poor, with many autocratic rulers interfering with economic data quality. Only 4% of African countries are rated as having A or B grade GDP data. Only 13% applies for Population data. 13% are also rated as having A or B grade Governance. And only six of the top ten largest (by GDP) sub-Saharan countries are rated as having C grade data. In these circumstances World Economics believes pan-African GDP or Population size, or measures such as GDP per Capita or Debt per Capita that dependent on either GDP or Population data, should be treated with circumspection.

GDP Data Quality Ratings
Grade: A = as good as it gets -> E: extremely poor quality
Africa’s Data Quality Problem


Africa’s Data Quality Problem

In comparison 87% of European countries produce good quality GDP data while 38% of Asian countries and 28% in the Americas attain the same level.
 


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