Over the last six decades, Africa has taken centre stage as a major contributor to the global population rate, which has increased tremendously.
In 1950, Africa’s population stood at 228.7 million, and by 2022, it had reached about 1.5 billion, constituting about 17.89% of the world population.
The population of the rich continent is expected to hit 2.5 billion by 2050.
Then again, in high-income countries, the population is either shrinking or beginning to drop.
A report by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) states that five African countries, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and the United Republic of Tanzania, are linked to the upsurge in world population from now to 2050.
Sourced from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) data on population growth rates for over 236 countries and territories around the world, the table below shows the top 10 African countries with the fastest growth rate.
Nigeria, with a population growth rate of 2.52%, ranks 19th globally, while Ukraine is the first non-African country on the list, coming in at 24th with a growth rate of 2.38%.
Africa is grappling with significant challenges due to its rapid population growth over a short period. This surge is straining resources like food production and energy, leading to issues such as hunger, inadequate healthcare, environmental degradation, and a mass exodus of people seeking better opportunities abroad. Additionally, providing quality education to the continent’s vast youth population remains a daunting task.
Despite these challenges, Africa stands to gain from its burgeoning population. The continent boasts around 30% of the world’s mineral reserves, 12% of its oil, and 8% of its natural gas reserves, positioning it as a key player in the global market.