Across Africa, the cost of living has emerged as a key predictor of economic well-being, social stability, and political confidence.

The cost of living is a crucial factor affecting economic and social stability in Africa.Inflation and rising import costs compel higher spending on essentials like food and energy.Affordable living conditions enhance well-being and promote sustainable growth in communities.Malawi witnessed a decrease in living costs due to declining food prices, enhancing household stability.

As inflation, currency depreciation, and rising import bills drive up prices in many nations, consumers are being compelled to spend a disproportionate part of their income on basic needs like food, transportation, and energy.

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In contrast, a cheap cost of living provides African countries with a significant, and generally underestimated, economic advantage.

When everyday expenses stay cheap, citizens benefit from greater welfare, governments face less social pressure, and businesses function in a more predictable environment.

Affordability boosts purchasing power, promotes stability, and enables more equitable and sustainable growth.

Malawi’s recent experience is a good example of these benefits, as seen on AllAfrica, which revealed that the slight decline in the cost of living recorded in November is being touted as an early, rapid win under the current President Arthur Peter Mutharika’s administration’s policies, following evidence of alleviating strain on family spending.

A Shoprite worker arranges cooking oil on shelves in Lilongwe, Malawi, March 16, 2022. [Photo by AMOS GUMULIRA/AFP via Getty Images]

The cost of living dropped by 0.07 percent in November, mostly due to a decrease in food prices, according to the Consumer Association of Malawi (CAMA) Cost of Living Report.

According to the data, the total cost of living decreased from K975,268 in October to K974,542 in November when transportation is taken into account.

The cost of basic meals, excluding transportation, decreased from K895,268 to K894,542. Food prices, which account for the largest portion of household expenditure, decreased by an average of 0.15 percent.

During periods when living costs fell, primarily due to slower food price increases, the impact on households and the larger economy became obvious, demonstrating how affordability may operate as a stabilizing influence even in structurally limited economies.

One of the most obvious benefits of a low cost of living is the impact on household wellbeing. Lower food prices provided practical assistance to families in Malawi, where food makes up a large component of the household budget.

Improved affordability improved food security, reduced the risk of hunger, and freed up scarce funds for healthcare, education, and basic savings.

With that said, here are the African countries with the lowest cost of living as the year comes to an end, according to Numbeo.