Casablanca Well Ranked in Africa, but Unlivable for Middle-Income Earners

According to the study published by Business Insider Africa, based on Numbeo data, Casablanca is well positioned in the continental urban elite with a quality of life index of 95.6. It surpasses capitals like Nairobi or historic cities like Alexandria. But a detailed analysis of the criteria reveals the city’s divisions.

What prevents Casablanca from climbing higher is its economic and environmental fundamentals. The report points to limited purchasing power (index of 44.9) in the face of a tense real estate market. The price/income ratio reaches 15.1, confirming that housing in Casablanca remains a major financial challenge for households.

The other black spot is environmental. With a score of 82.1, the pollution level is described as "among the highest of the ranked cities". This polluted atmosphere weighs heavily on the "overall well-being" measured by the study.

At the top of the ranking, South Africa reigns supreme, placing its metropolises in the forefront despite chronic insecurity. Port Elizabeth (1st) and Cape Town (2nd) dominate thanks to a better balance between wages and cost of living.

In the Maghreb, it is Tunis that stands out. The Tunisian capital surpasses Casablanca with an index of 109.4, probably benefiting from a softer cost of living. At the national level, Morocco remains on the podium of African countries, ranked third behind South Africa and Tunisia.