In 2023, the population of Africa was projected to grow by 2.34 percent compared to the previous year. The population growth rate on the continent has been constantly over 2.3 percent from 2000 onwards, and it peaked at 2.59 percent between 2012 and 2013. Despite a slowdown in the growth rate, the continent's population will continue to increase significantly in the coming years. The second-largest population worldwide In 2022, the total population of Africa amounted to around 1.4 billion. The number of inhabitants had grown steadily in the previous decades, rising from approximately 810 million in 2000. Driven by a decreasing mortality rate and a higher life expectancy at birth, the African population was forecast to increase to about 2.5 billion individuals by 2050. Africa is currently the second most populous continent worldwide after Asia. However, forecasts showed that Africa could gradually close the gap and almost reach the size of the Asian population in 2100. By that year, Africa might count 3.9 billion people, compared to 4.7 billion in Asia. The world's youngest continent The median age in Africa corresponded to 18.8 years in 2023. Although the median age has increased in recent years, the continent remains the youngest worldwide. In 2023, roughly 40 percent of the African population was aged 15 years and younger, compared to a global average of 25 percent. Africa recorded not only the highest share of youth but also the smallest elderly population worldwide. As of the same year, only three percent of Africa's population was aged 65 years and older. Africa and Latin America were the only regions below the global average of 10 percent. On the continent, Niger, Uganda, and Angola were the countries with the youngest population in 2023.

All the African countries registered a positive population growth in 2023, except for Seychelles and Mauritius. Niger had the highest population growth rate at nearly 3.7 percent compared to the previous year. The Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, Mali, Somalia, and Angola followed, recording over three percent growth each. The African population has been increasing considerably in the last decades and is expected to nearly double by 2050. This is due to several factors, including the rising life expectancy and the high fertility rates registered on the continent.

According to the forecast, Africa's total population would reach nearly 2.5 billion by 2050. In 2023, the continent had around 1.36 billion inhabitants, with Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Egypt as the most populous countries. In the coming years, Africa will experience significant population growth and will close the gap significantly with the Asian population by 2100. Rapid population growth The population of Africa has been increasing annually in recent years, growing from around 818 million to over 1.39 billion between 2000 and 2021, respectively. In the same period, the annual growth rate of the population has been constantly set at roughly 2.5 percent, with a peak of 2.62 percent in 2014. The reasons behind this rapid growth are various. One factor is the high fertility rate registered in African countries. In 2021, a woman in Niger had an average of over 6.8 children in her reproductive years, the highest rate on the continent. High fertility resulted in a large young population and partly compensated for the high mortality rate in Africa, leading to fast-paced population growth. High poverty levels Africa’s population is concerned with widespread poverty. In 2024, over 429 million people on the continent are extremely poor and live with less than 2.15 U.S. dollars per day. Globally, Africa is the continent hosting the highest poverty rate. In 2024, the countries of Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo account for around 21 percent of the world's population living in extreme poverty. Nevertheless, poverty in Africa is forecast to decrease in the coming years.

Total current population for Africa in 2025 is 1,530,031,247, a 2.34% increase from 2024.

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<li>Total population for Africa in 2024 was <strong>1,494,993,924</strong>, a <strong>2.36% increase</strong> from 2023.</li>
<li>Total population for Africa in 2023 was <strong>1,460,481,772</strong>, a <strong>2.37% increase</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>Total population for Africa in 2022 was <strong>1,426,736,305</strong>, a <strong>2.37% increase</strong> from 2021.</li>
</ul>Total population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship. The values shown are midyear estimates.

South Africa population growth rate for 2023 was 0.87%, a 0.02% increase from 2022.

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<li>South Africa population growth rate for 2022 was <strong>0.84%</strong>, a <strong>0.16% decline</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>South Africa population growth rate for 2021 was <strong>1.00%</strong>, a <strong>0.22% decline</strong> from 2020.</li>
<li>South Africa population growth rate for 2020 was <strong>1.22%</strong>, a <strong>0.07% decline</strong> from 2019.</li>
</ul>Annual population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage . Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.

The average for 2023 based on 53 countries was 2.11 percent. The highest value was in Niger: 3.73 percent and the lowest value was in Mauritius: -0.12 percent. The indicator is available from 1961 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

South Africa ZA: Population: Growth data was reported at 1.245 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.301 % for 2016. South Africa ZA: Population: Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 2.282 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.794 % in 1972 and a record low of 1.047 % in 2008. South Africa ZA: Population: Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Annual population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage . Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; Derived from total population. Population source: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision, (2) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (4) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Reprot (various years), (5) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database, and (6) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme.; Weighted average;

Population growth (annual %) in South Africa was reported at 1.3281 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. South Africa - Population growth (annual %) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Population Growth for Developing Countries in Middle East and North Africa (SPPOPGROWMNA) from 1961 to 2023 about North Africa, Middle East, population, and rate.

Africa population growth rate for was 0.00%, a 0% increase from .

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Africa population growth rate for was <strong>0.00%</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from .</li>
<li>Africa population growth rate for was <strong>0.00%</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from .</li>
<li>Africa population growth rate for was <strong>0.00%</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from .</li>
</ul>Annual population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage . Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.

The population in Africa was forecast to expand annually by an average of 2.37 percent between 2020 and 2025. Over 20 countries might grow above this rate, with Niger leading by an annual population change of 3.7 percent in the mentioned period. Angola was expected to follow, with an average population growth of 3.15 percent annually. Overall, Africa has recorded a faster population growth compared to other world regions. The continent's population almost doubled in the last 25 years.

Sub-Saharan Africa population growth rate for 2023 was 2.54%, a 0.01% decline from 2022.

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<li>Sub-Saharan Africa population growth rate for 2022 was <strong>2.54%</strong>, a <strong>0.05% decline</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>Sub-Saharan Africa population growth rate for 2021 was <strong>2.59%</strong>, a <strong>0.06% decline</strong> from 2020.</li>
<li>Sub-Saharan Africa population growth rate for 2020 was <strong>2.65%</strong>, a <strong>0.02% decline</strong> from 2019.</li>
</ul>Annual population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage . Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.

Graph and download economic data for Population Growth: All Income Levels for Middle East and North Africa (SPPOPGROWMEA) from 1961 to 2023 about North Africa, Middle East, income, population, and rate.

South Africa ZA: Rural Population Growth data was reported at -0.235 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of -0.168 % for 2016. South Africa ZA: Rural Population Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 1.217 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.679 % in 1972 and a record low of -0.329 % in 2008. South Africa ZA: Rural Population Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between total population and urban population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.; Weighted average;

Central African Republic CF: Population: Growth data was reported at 1.061 % in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of -0.275 % for 2022. Central African Republic CF: Population: Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 1.927 % from Dec 1961 (Median) to 2023, with 63 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.186 % in 1993 and a record low of -0.799 % in 2010. Central African Republic CF: Population: Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Central African Republic – Table CF.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Annual population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage . Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.;Derived from total population. Population source: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2024 Revision; (2) Statistical databases and publications from national statistical offices; (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics; (4) United Nations Statistics Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years).;Weighted average;

Population growth (annual %) in Central African Republic was reported at 1.0611 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Central African Republic - Population growth (annual %) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on May of 2025.

This statistic shows the population change in Sub-Saharan Africa from 2013 to 2023. Sub-Saharan Africa includes almost all countries south of the Saharan desert. In 2023, Sub-Saharan Africa's population increased by approximately 2.5 percent compared to the previous year.

Central African Republic population growth rate for 2023 was 2.88%, a 0.67% increase from 2022.

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<li>Central African Republic population growth rate for 2022 was <strong>2.21%</strong>, a <strong>0.1% increase</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>Central African Republic population growth rate for 2021 was <strong>2.11%</strong>, a <strong>0.42% decline</strong> from 2020.</li>
<li>Central African Republic population growth rate for 2020 was <strong>2.53%</strong>, a <strong>0.31% increase</strong> from 2019.</li>
</ul>Annual population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage . Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.

United States - Population Growth for Developing Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa was 2.49729 % Chg. at Annual Rate in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Population Growth for Developing Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa reached a record high of 2.90713 in January of 1986 and a record low of 2.29933 in January of 1960. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Population Growth for Developing Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on June of 2025.

According to the forecast, the population of Africa will grow by 1.65 percent in 2050 compared to the previous year. The population growth rate in the continent is expected to decline in the coming years, yet the number of inhabitants will continue to increase significantly. By 2050, Africa will reach around 2.5 billion inhabitants, compared to 1.46 billion in 2023.