Africa is currently undergoing remarkable population growth, with projections from the United Nations indicating a doubling of the continent’s population to over 2.5 billion by 2050.
This surge is fueled by factors such as high fertility rates, declining mortality rates, and a growing number of young individuals entering reproductive age.
Boasting one of the world’s youngest populations, with a significant portion under the age of 25, Africa stands at a crucial juncture where this demographic structure presents both opportunities and obstacles.
While the youthful demographic holds promise for a vibrant workforce driving innovation and economic growth, it also poses challenges in terms of education, employment, and the necessity for robust social and economic policies to harness the potential of the youth bulge.
The burgeoning population becomes a focal point for economic development, offering avenues for entrepreneurship and innovation.
However, this growth intersects with environmental considerations, necessitating a delicate balance between economic progress and sustainable practices to prevent over-exploitation of natural resources and mitigate impacts on ecosystems.
In light of these dynamics, WorldPopulationReview, an independent for-profit company specializing in world population data and demographics, has compiled a list of the 10 African countries with the highest population at the outset of 2024.
10 African countries with the largest population
| Rank | Country | Population | Global rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Nigeria | 226,987,534 | 7th |
| 2. | Ethiopia | 128,432,812 | 10th |
| 3. | Egypt | 113,763,536 | 14th |
| 4. | Democratic Republic of Congo | 104,255,885 | 15th |
| 5. | Tanzania | 68,617,296 | 21st |
| 6. | South Africa | 60,752,963 | 24th |
| 7. | Kenya | 55,755,912 | 26th |
| 8. | Uganda | 49,382,137 | 30th |
| 9. | Sudan | 48,855,380 | 31st |
| 10. | Algeria | 46,015,294 | 34th |