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Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Top 5 safest African countries mid-way into 2025
A low crime rate and a high safety index are now crucial advantages for African countries looking to achieve more wealth, draw in international collaboration, and enhance the standard of living for their people in 2025. Business Insider Africa presents the top 5 safest African countries mid-way into 2025. This list is courtesy of Numbeo. Rwanda ranks number on the list. Besides maintaining peace and order, these metrics show how stable, resilient, and prepared a country is for sustainable growth. A low crime rate has several direct benefits, one of which is the confidence it gives investors. When making financial commitments, both small business owners and big businesses give careful thought to safety. Businesses are more willing to invest, grow, and add employment when they are guaranteed security for their resources, employees, and clients. This boosts tax income for the government in addition to stimulating economic growth. A lower crime rate at the local level is associated with a higher standard of living. People are free to go about, work into the night, and let kids stroll fearlessly to school. Safer surroundings stimulate social and economic engagement and foster inclusion, which is especially beneficial for women and other vulnerable groups. Furthermore, sound governance and robust institutions are reflected in a high safety rating. It implies that judicial systems operate equitably, law enforcement is efficient, and corruption is controlled. These serve as important cornerstones of democracy and progress, promoting social cohesiveness and public trust. In terms of economics, safety lowers operating expenses. Insurance rates are cheaper, businesses pay less on private protection, and the government can focus more on infrastructure, education, and health rather than policing and dispute resolution. Lastly, the problem of brain drain is addressed when a safe environment promotes the retention of local talent and the return of qualified individuals. When people feel safe, they are more prone to construct their futures at home. With that said, here are the African countries with the highest safety index, as per Numbeo. Top 5 safest African countries mid-way into 2025 Rank Country Safety index Global rank 1. Rwanda 73.6 23rd 2. Tunisia 55.0 71st 3. Zambia 54.4 72nd 4. Sudan 54.4 74th 5. Ghana 54.2 76th
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Ghana ranked 12th in Africa with highest cost of living despite inflation drop
Ghana has been ranked 12th out of 23 African countries with the highest cost of living, according to new data released by Numbeo. The country recorded a Cost of Living Index score of 30.6, with sub-indexes of 12.1 for rent and 33.3 for groceries, reflecting the pressure on consumer budgets despite recent inflation relief. Ghana ranks 12th among 23 African countries with high living costs, according to a Numbeo study. The country's Cost of Living Index is 30.6, with rent at 12.1 and groceries at 33.3. Despite high living costs, Ghana notices the fifth consecutive month of declining inflation, reaching 18.4%. Top African Countries by Cost of Living The report ranks Ethiopia as the most expensive country in Africa (43.2), followed by Botswana (39.5) and Mozambique (38.9). Others in the top 10 include Ivory Coast, Somalia, Cameroon, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Zambia, and Tanzania. Inflation sees fifth consecutive decline Despite Ghana's high living costs, inflation has declined for the fifth straight month. The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) reported that inflation fell to 18.4% in May 2025, down from 21.2% in April. The decline is largely attributed to reduced transport fares and a fall in non-food inflation. Breakdown of inflation trends Food inflation dropped to 22.8% from 25.0% the previous month. Non-food inflation recorded a sharper fall to 14.4% from 17.9%. Transport inflation saw the biggest decline, plunging from 14.9% to just 3.1%. Food remains the largest contributor to Ghana's inflation, accounting for 9.7 percentage points of the 18.4% total headline rate. Conclusion
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
British tourist gobsmacked after seeing price of two drinks in Marbella
A British holidaymaker has warned others planning a trip to the Costa del Sol that the area he visited for a stag do left him 'bankrupt' due to the cost of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks A British tourist has issued a stark warning to holidaymakers planning a trip to a popular Spanish resort, claiming it will "bankrupt you". In a viral TikTok video, @prof_thought lambasted Marbella as "the most expensive place he has ever been to in his entire life". In a clip that has been viewed almost 200,000 times, he alleges that reserving a table at a beach club at the Costa del Sol resort could cost an astonishing £1,500 for just a few hours. He further states that he doesn't see "much point in going there" again after he was forced to splash out 36 Euros (£30.76) on two single rum and Cokes at the bar. The TikTok user also pointed out that the popular destination is pricey even for those who don't drink from alcohol - having also spent a staggering 20 Euros (£17.09) on two Red Bull drinks. It prompted him to claim that some prices must be "plucked from thin air". "You see when they say to you, yeah that Marbella is expensive, Marbella is the most expensive place I have ever been to in my whole entire life as a young adult," the holidaymaker said. "I don't really think there is much point in going there. I just got back from my friend's stag do and some of the times, some of the purchases were made up, they didn't even make any sense. "Two Red Bulls... two basic customary standard Red Bulls were 20 Euros. In the same bar two single rum and cokes with ice, 36 Euros. "Now even if you are not a big drinker, even entry into a lot of these places is crazy for a standard normal young gentleman." Slamming his trip's cost further, meanwhile, @prof_thought hit out: "It's a 50 Euro entry fee. And if you don't have a table you're just going to be stood up to the side of tables looking broke because everyone else has a table. "Now if you want a table you're looking at anywhere between £1,200 to £1,500 for a few hours." Indeed, recent figures from Numbeo suggest that in 2025, Marbella is around 15-20% pricier than the Spanish average. Whilst @prof_thought conceded that Marbella can still offer a good time for British travellers, he recommends seeking the advice of. or a local who knows how to get a better deal. He explained: "Now on the other hand I have to admit Marbella is a lot of fun. There's a lot of fun to be had. It's a good time, the vibes are just right, the music's right, the DJs are good, the settings are spectacular. I take nothing away from it. "But if you don't know someone that can pattern you while you're there it's going to bankrupt you." The TikTok user closed his video: "In saying that that's mainly for the guys, girls can get away doing a lot more with less but if you're a guy and you're not breaded then you're going to have a very very long time there."
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE The chances of being a victim of crime in London compared to the rest of the world: Map reveals where 'lawless' capital ranks among the most dangerous cities
London can today be revealed as the 15th most dangerous city for crime in Europe as concerns continue to mount over a growing epidemic of violence, theft and robbery. The capital, which is also the 100th worst out of 385 locations around the world, is less safe than rival European cities from Athens to Brussels and Milan to Barcelona. London is also worse than major US cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Dallas as well as other global destinations from Cancun to Cairo and Bali to Bangalore. The city is however only the fifth worst UK location for crime - behind Bradford, Coventry, Birmingham and Manchester, according to Numbeo's Crime Index. The data, which is compiled from global survey responses and has been updated regularly since 2012, ranks London particularly badly for four categories out of 15. These are the capital's 'level of crime'; 'crime increasing in the past five years'; 'problem people using or dealing drugs'; and 'safety walking alone during night'. It comes amid outrage after veteran broadcaster Selina Scott, 74, revealed she was viciously attacked and robbed in broad daylight in Piccadilly earlier this month. The stalwart of British TV was leaving a Waterstones shop on June 17 when she was struck on the back of her right knee, leaving her feeling as if she had been 'stabbed'. She was set upon by a gang who attempted to grab her backpack. Fighting back, she kept hold of the bag – but one of the thieves unzipped it and took her purse before running off. Ms Scott lost her bank cards, driving licence and cash in the robbery. Click on a circle on the map above to reveal the Numbeo Crime Index ranking, and drag the map around to see other countries. A low crime index figure and a high safety index figure are good The Numbeo index also deems a series of issues in London as 'moderate' – including concerns over stealing, robbery, car theft, being attacked or facing a racist assault. But London is seen as safer than ten cities in other European countries, including seven in France – Paris, Lyon, Nantes, Marseille, Grenoble, Nice and Montpellier. The other three locations are Naples in Italy, Liege in Belgium and Malmo in Sweden. The Crime Index takes into account survey responses covering five areas: general perception of crime levels; perceived safety during daylight and nighttime; concerns about specific crimes; property crime severity; and violent crime severity. The index is seen as a respected comparative tool because government crime data in different countries can often be patchy or withheld for political or social reasons. Five of the world's eight most dangerous cities are in South Africa - comprising Durban, Pretoria, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth and Pietermaritzburg, which is first. Also in the global top ten are Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea; Caracas in Venezuela; San Pedro Sula in Honduras; Memphis in the US and Salvador in Brazil. Five of the six safest cities are in the United Arab Emirates – comprising Sharjah, Ras al-Khaimah, Dubai, Ajman and Abu Dhabi, which is the safest place in the world. In London, the robbery and assault of Ms Scott by an organised gang is another incident raising questions about the Metropolitan Police's failure to robustly tackle such crimes amid a 24 per cent increase in similar thefts in the last year alone. Matt Goodwin, senior visiting professor of politics at the University of Buckingham, wrote in the Daily Mail last week: 'London is over. It's so over.' He cited data showing that more than 70,000 phones were stolen in London last year, and there were 90,000 shoplifting offences in the capital, up 54 per cent. Professor Goodwin added that there is now an alleged rape every hour in London – and reported sexual offences against women and girls has risen 14 per cent in five years, while homelessness and rough sleeping increased 26 per cent in one year. Meanwhile a policing expert told MailOnline that the incident involving former ITN News At Ten anchor Ms Scott showed London had become a 'crime-ridden cesspit'. Ex-New Scotland Yard detective Peter Bleksley said the force was now so stretched in the West End that private security companies were being deployed to help. He condemned the 'epidemic of crime' in London from pickpocketing to violence and fare evasion to robbery, adding that it was 'driving people away' from the capital. Mr Bleksley, known for Channel 4 reality show Hunted, told MailOnline that the 'once iconic' city was 'absolutely plagued' by crime and urged visitors to avoid getting their phones out in public and leave any expensive watches or handbags at home. A woman's phone is snatched from her hand next to the Oxford Circus junction in London He recently visited Krakow, Milan, Rome and Naples - known for its Camorra mafia and criminal underworld - and felt far safer in all four cities compared to London. Meanwhile Conservative politicians have called on Labour Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan to do more to address growing concerns about the spiralling crime rates in the capital. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp told MailOnline: 'What happened to Selina Scott is horrifying but sadly, the public have come to expect these sorts of cases in Sadiq Khan's lawless London. 'Criminal gangs are acting with impunity while the Met Police are warning they will have to lose 1,700 officers due to the Labour Government's inadequate police funding settlement. Labour are presiding over a breakdown of law and order. 'We need a zero tolerance crackdown where every single crime is investigated and prosecuted where a perpetrator can be found. This includes using facial recognition from CCTV cameras to catch suspects. 'Barely over five per cent of all crimes in London are prosecuted which is totally unacceptable. Mayor Sadiq Khan, who oversees the police in London, needs to spend less time on politically correct virtue signalling and more time catching criminals, in an urgent zero tolerance crackdown.' And Susan Hall, Conservative group leader at City Hall, told MailOnline: 'Our thoughts are with Selina and we hope she is able to make a full recovery. 'This horrific experience not only demonstrates the brazenness of London's criminals under this Mayor, it also highlights how badly Khan has let public safety and spaces degrade. 'This comes before his reckless police cuts truly start to bite - with 3,300 Met Police staff at risk - which will only exacerbate this horrendous situation. 'He needs to pull his head out of the sand and get a grip on this before more people are harmed or worse.' Ms Scott, who spends most of her time on her 200-acre estate in North Yorkshire, said she was attacked by 'around seven or eight' smartly dressed men and women, who appeared to be of East Asian origin. She told The Mail on Sunday: 'I still feel shattered after what has happened. I can't believe it happened to me. 'I'm mentally resilient and physically fit, but if they can attack me in such a brazen way they can attack anyone. You're left feeling not just traumatised but stupid that you have somehow let it happen. 'I'm also furious about the lack of police on our streets. No wonder the gang who set about me have a sense of impunity – they can do anything they want because they know no one will stop them.' She did not require medical attention but suffered severe bruising to her leg in the assault. 'I am now only too relieved it wasn't a knife they used,' she added. A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: 'While we understand that the victim in this case was frustrated that she couldn't see any police officers on the street at the time of the incident, we would like to reassure her and the wider public that a significant number of officers patrol the West End every day to target offenders, including those carrying out thefts and robberies. 'They patrol not just in uniform on foot, but also in plain clothes and in vehicles to have the best opportunity to identify and apprehend suspects. 'We would be happy to talk to the victim in this case to better understand her concerns.' Speaking about what the force is doing in relation to violent crime, a Met spokeswoman added: 'Tackling violent crime in all its forms is a key priority and we are determined to crack down on robberies, which can so often have a significant and traumatic impact on victims. 'Across London, both uniform and plain clothes officers proactively patrol robbery hotspots to identify, apprehend and deter potential offenders. We also have dedicated teams that target repeat offenders. 'Incidents of neighbourhood crime, which includes offences such as robbery, theft from a person and shoplifting, have reduced by 18.6 per cent compared to the same period last year. Over the past 15 months, we have also increased our arrests per month by ten per cent. 'Our focus on tackling these crimes will continue throughout the summer, using ward-level data and intelligence to really make a difference in key areas.' And a spokeswoman for Sir Sadiq told MailOnline: 'The previous government chronically underfunded the Met, making cuts to policing in London that were in real terms equivalent to more than £1.1billion. 'These drastic cuts resulted in the loss of thousands of officer posts and the closure of dozens of police buildings across the city as the Met tried to make ends meet. 'Since coming to office in 2016, Sadiq has done everything in his power to support our police. 'This year alone he is providing £1.16billion investment for the Met to protect neighbourhood policing in our communities, secure 935 frontline police officer posts and significantly reduce the level of cuts the Met had been planning. This is double the amount provided by his predecessor as Mayor. 'The Met will publish a new Estates Strategy this summer, setting out its plans for providing the right amount and quality of buildings needed to deliver a new Met for London. The Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime will scrutinise this carefully. 'However, the Mayor is under no illusions that there could be further difficult decisions to make and will continue to work with the new government to ensure the Met gets the sustainable funding it needs to help us to build a safer London for everyone.' The Mayor's team added that City Hall was working closely with the Met Police to 'tackle the scourge of phone thefts in London' amid his concerns that it is 'simply too easy and profitable for criminals to repurpose and sell on stolen phones'. Nearly 40 per cent of such thefts are happening in the West End and Westminster - where police patrols and plain-clothed operations have been increased, the spokesman said.
Business Insider
23-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Top 10 African countries with the lowest cost of living in mid-2025
African countries with a low cost of living possess a distinct edge in a world where economic instability and inflation are prevalent headlines. Business Insider Africa presents the top 10 African countries with the lowest cost of living in mid-2025. This list is courtesy of Numbeo. Libya ranks number 1 on the list. The affordability of necessities like food, housing, transportation, and healthcare not only raises the standard of living for the populace but also boosts the overall economy. The advantages of a low cost of living are numerous, ranging from drawing in investment and keeping talent to growing the middle class and encouraging the expansion of small businesses in the area. Preserving affordability may be one of the most important strategies used by African countries in their pursuit of inclusive development. When necessities are inexpensive, families have less financial stress. They can afford nicer homes, healthier food, and a good education. This results in healthier, more productive societies and stronger communities. Lower living costs give consumers more discretionary cash to spend on products and services. This boosts demand, promotes company growth, and broadens the tax base, all of which increase national income without raising taxes. Investors and businesses choose nations with low operating expenses and higher employee compensation. A low cost of living lessens wage pressure while yet guaranteeing that workers can live comfortably, resulting in a win-win situation for both companies and employees. Furthermore, talent retention is higher in nations with reasonably priced living standards. There is far less of an incentive for young people to move when they can establish a secure lifestyle, own houses, and raise families at home. Starting a business is less hazardous when living expenses are modest. A thriving startup ecosystem is fueled by entrepreneurs' access to a consumer base with purchasing power, reduced administrative costs, and affordable talent hiring. With that said, here are the African countries with the lowest cost of living mid-way into the year, as per data from Numbeo. Top 10 African countries with the lowest cost of living in mid-2025 Rank Country Cost of living index mid-2025 Global rank 1. Libya 18.6 2nd 2. Egypt 19.0 3rd 3. Madagascar 20.7 6th 4. Algeria 24.5 14th 5. Tunsia 25.5 20th 6. Uganda 26.0 23rd 7. Nigeria 26.4 25th 8. Morocco 27.2 29th 9. Kenya 28.2 30th 10. Namibia 29.3 32nd
