Africa has the youngest population in the world. Among the 35 countries with the lowest median age worldwide, only three fall outside the continent. In 2023, the median age in Niger was 15.1 years, the youngest country. This means that at this age point, half of the population was younger and half older. A young population reflects several demographic characteristics of a country. For instance, together with a high population growth, life expectancy in Western Africa is low: this reached 57 years for men and 59 for women. Overall, Africa has the lowest life expectancy in the world.

Africa’s population is still growing Africa’s population growth can be linked to a high fertility rate along with a drop in death rates. Despite the fertility rate on the continent, following a constant declining trend, it remains far higher compared to all other regions worldwide. It was forecast to reach 4.12 children per woman, compared to a worldwide average of 2.31 children per woman in 2024. Furthermore, the crude death rate in Africa overall dropped, only increasing slightly during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The largest populations on the continent Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are the most populous African countries. In 2023, people living in Nigeria amounted to around 224 million, while the number for the three other countries exceeded 100 million each. Of those, the Democratic Republic of Congo sustained the fourth-highest fertility rate in Africa. Nigeria and Ethiopia also had high rates, with 5.24 and 4.16 births per woman, respectively. Although such a high fertility rate is expected to slow down, it will still impact the population structure, growing younger nations.

Globally, about 25 percent of the population is under 15 years of age and 10 percent is over 65 years of age. Africa has the youngest population worldwide. In Sub-Saharan Africa, more than 40 percent of the population is below 15 years, and only three percent are above 65, indicating the low life expectancy in several of the countries. In Europe, on the other hand, a higher share of the population is above 65 years than the population under 15 years. Fertility rates The high share of children and youth in Africa is connected to the high fertility rates on the continent. For instance, South Sudan and Niger have the highest population growth rates globally. However, about 50 percent of the world’s population live in countries with low fertility, where women have less than 2.1 children. Some countries in Europe, like Latvia and Lithuania, have experienced a population decline of one percent, and in the Cook Islands, it is even above two percent. In Europe, the majority of the population was previously working-aged adults with few dependents, but this trend is expected to reverse soon, and it is predicted that by 2050, the older population will outnumber the young in many developed countries. Growing global population As of 2025, there are 8.1 billion people living on the planet, and this is expected to reach more than nine billion before 2040. Moreover, the global population is expected to reach 10 billions around 2060, before slowing and then even falling slightly by 2100. As the population growth rates indicate, a significant share of the population increase will happen in Africa.

Attitudes of young people to Europe. Interest in European get-togethers.

Topics: Free association with Europe and supported associations with the European Community; knowledge about the countries geographically belonging to Europe; most important political problems (issue relevance); attitude to a united Europe (scale); assessment of the future development of united Europe; information on stays abroad in other European countries; contacts with people in other European countries; situations and forms of get-together; feeling of belonging to Europe; perceived things in common in contacts with Europeans; identification as European; level of information regarding Europe; significance of European symbols; necessity of a European currency; regret of failure of European unification; preference for national or European solution of selected political controversies; assessment of the impact on the Federal Republic, Europe or the entire world from these problems; desire for more influence of Europe in the world; attitude to support of poorer EC countries, even at disadvantage for the Federal Republic; preferred countries for organized get-togethers with young people; desired composition and preferred language at such get-togethers; assessment of the development of general friendship between the EC countries; influence of decisions of other EC countries on one´s own country; interest in private and occupational stays abroad; general interest in European neighboring countries; interest in politics; party preference; assessment of the importance of decisions at municipal level, state parliament level, Federal Parliament level, the level of the European Parliament and the United Nations; political participation; sources of information about Europe; interest in selected political topics; source of information about events in Europe or European politics.

Ibrahim Traoré, who gained power in Burkina Faso following a coup d'état in 2022, is the youngest head of state worldwide. Most people on the list, like Kim Jong-un in North Korea and Nayib Bukele in El Salvador, hold real political power in their countries, whereas others have more ceremonial roles.

This statistic shows the countries with the lowest projected median age in 2050. By 2050, Niger is projected to have the population with the lowest median age at 19 years old.

Global Educational Attainment Among Young Adults by Country, 2023 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

Chile CL: Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population: Young data was reported at 26.594 % in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 26.684 % for 2022. Chile CL: Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population: Young data is updated yearly, averaging 46.100 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2023, with 64 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 69.541 % in 1962 and a record low of 26.594 % in 2023. Chile CL: Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population: Young data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Chile – Table CL.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Age dependency ratio, young, is the ratio of younger dependents--people younger than 15--to the working-age population--those ages 15-64. Data are shown as the proportion of dependents per 100 working-age population.;World Bank staff estimates based on age distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2022 Revision.;Weighted average;

In 2024, the median age in Africa was 19.2 years, meaning that half of the population was older and half was younger than that age. The median age on the continent increased compared to 2000 when it was around 17 years. Africa is the youngest continent in the world and presents the highest share of inhabitants aged 14 years and younger, that is, 40 percent of the total population. Niger, Uganda, and Angola were the countries with the youngest population in Africa as of 2023.

World Countries Generalized represents generalized boundaries for the countries of the world as of August 2022. The generalized political boundaries improve draw performance and effectiveness at a global or continental level. This layer is best viewed out beyond a scale of 1:5,000,000.This layer's geography was developed by Esri and sourced from Garmin International, Inc., the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (The World Factbook), and the National Geographic Society for use as a world basemap. It is updated annually as country names or significant borders change.

This dataset provides values for RETIREMENT AGE WOMEN reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

This dataset provides values for RETIREMENT AGE MEN reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

South Africa ZA: Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population: Young data was reported at 44.137 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 44.469 % for 2016. South Africa ZA: Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population: Young data is updated yearly, averaging 69.827 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 78.491 % in 1966 and a record low of 44.137 % in 2017. South Africa ZA: Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population: Young 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. Age dependency ratio, young, is the ratio of younger dependents--people younger than 15--to the working-age population--those ages 15-64. Data are shown as the proportion of dependents per 100 working-age population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Weighted average;

As of 2024, 99 percent of young people aged 15-24 living in high-income countries used the internet. Meanwhile, the percentage of internet users among the rest of the population of the countries in the same category was 93 percent. Upper-middle-income economies ranked second by the share of young people using the internet, 97 percent. In markets with low income, the percentage of 15-24 year-olds using the internet was the lowest, 43 percent.

In 2021, there were around 207 million children aged 0-4 years in Africa. In total, the population aged 17 years and younger amounted to approximately 650 million. In contrast, only approximately 48 million individuals were aged 65 years and older as of the same year. The youngest continent in the world Africa is the continent with the youngest population worldwide. As of 2023, around 40 percent of the population was aged 15 years and younger, compared to a global average of 25 percent. Although the median age on the continent has been increasing annually, it remains low at around 20 years. There are several reasons behind the low median age. One factor is the low life expectancy at birth: On average, the male and female population in Africa live between 61 and 65 years, respectively. In addition, poor healthcare on the continent leads to high mortality, also among children and newborns, while the high fertility rate contributes to lowering the median age. Cross-country demographic differences Africa’s demographic characteristics are not uniform across the continent. The age structure of the population differs significantly from one country to another. For instance, Niger and Uganda have the lowest median age in Africa, at 15.1 and 16.1 years, respectively. Not surprisingly, these countries also register a high crude birth rate. On the other hand, North Africa is the region recording the highest life expectancy at birth, with Algeria leading the ranking in 2023.

Jordan JO: Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population: Young data was reported at 58.507 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 59.207 % for 2016. Jordan JO: Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population: Young data is updated yearly, averaging 85.299 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 102.410 % in 1980 and a record low of 58.507 % in 2017. Jordan JO: Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population: Young data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Jordan – Table JO.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Age dependency ratio, young, is the ratio of younger dependents--people younger than 15--to the working-age population--those ages 15-64. Data are shown as the proportion of dependents per 100 working-age population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Weighted average;

United States US: Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population: Young data was reported at 28.799 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 28.857 % for 2016. United States US: Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population: Young data is updated yearly, averaging 33.422 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 51.329 % in 1961 and a record low of 28.799 % in 2017. United States US: Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population: Young data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Age dependency ratio, young, is the ratio of younger dependents--people younger than 15--to the working-age population--those ages 15-64. Data are shown as the proportion of dependents per 100 working-age population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Weighted average;

The Young Lives survey is an innovative long-term project investigating the changing nature of childhood poverty in four developing countries. The purpose of the project is to improve understanding of the causes and consequences of childhood poverty and examine how policies affect children's well-being, in order to inform the development of future policy and to target child welfare interventions more effectively. The study is being conducted in Ethiopia, India (in Andhra Pradesh), Peru and Vietnam. These countries were selected because they reflect a range of cultural, geographical and social contexts and experience differing issues facing the developing world; high debt burden, emergence from conflict, and vulnerability to environmental conditions such as drought and flood. The survey consists of three main elements: a child questionnaire, a household questionnaire and a community questionnaire. The household data gathered is similar to other cross-sectional datasets (such as the World Bank's Living Standards Measurement Study). It covers a range of topics such as household composition, livelihood and assets, household expenditure, child health and access to basic services, and education. This is supplemented with additional questions that cover caregiver perceptions, attitudes, and aspirations for their child and the family. Young Lives also collects detailed time-use data for all family members, information about the child's weight and height (and that of caregivers), and tests the children for school outcomes (language comprehension and mathematics). An important element of the survey asks the children about their daily activities, their experiences and attitudes to work and school, their likes and dislikes, how they feel they are treated by other people, and their hopes and aspirations for the future. The community questionnaire provides background information about the social, economic and environmental context of each community. It covers topics such as ethnicity, religion, economic activity and employment, infrastructure and services, political representation and community networks, crime and environmental changes. The Young Lives survey is carried out by teams of local researchers, supported by the Principal Investigator and Data Manager in each country. Further information about the survey, including publications, can be downloaded from the Young Lives website.

Denmark DK: Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population: Young data was reported at 25.824 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 25.939 % for 2016. Denmark DK: Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population: Young data is updated yearly, averaging 28.170 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 39.271 % in 1960 and a record low of 25.277 % in 1990. Denmark DK: Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population: Young data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Denmark – Table DK.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Age dependency ratio, young, is the ratio of younger dependents--people younger than 15--to the working-age population--those ages 15-64. Data are shown as the proportion of dependents per 100 working-age population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Weighted average;

Nigeria has the largest population in Africa. As of 2024, the country counted over 232.6 million individuals, whereas Ethiopia, which ranked second, has around 132 million inhabitants. Egypt registered the largest population in North Africa, reaching nearly 116 million people. In terms of inhabitants per square kilometer, Nigeria only ranks seventh, while Mauritius has the highest population density on the whole African continent. The fastest-growing world region Africa is the second most populous continent in the world, after Asia. Nevertheless, Africa records the highest growth rate worldwide, with figures rising by over two percent every year. In some countries, such as Niger, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Chad, the population increase peaks at over three percent. With so many births, Africa is also the youngest continent in the world. However, this coincides with a low life expectancy. African cities on the rise The last decades have seen high urbanization rates in Asia, mainly in China and India. However, African cities are currently growing at larger rates. Indeed, most of the fastest-growing cities in the world are located in Sub-Saharan Africa. Gwagwalada, in Nigeria, and Kabinda, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, ranked first worldwide. By 2035, instead, Africa's fastest-growing cities are forecast to be Bujumbura, in Burundi, and Zinder, Nigeria.

Abstract

Young Lives: An International Study of Childhood Poverty is a collaborative project investigating the changing nature of childhood poverty in selected developing countries. The UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) is funding the first three-year phase of the project.

Young Lives involves collaboration between Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and the academic sector. In the UK, the project is being run by Save the Children-UK together with an academic consortium that comprises the University of Reading, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, South Bank University, the Institute of Development Studies at Sussex University and the South African Medical Research Council.

The study is being conducted in Ethiopia, India (in Andhra Pradesh), Peru and Vietnam. These countries were selected because they reflect a range of cultural, geographical and social contexts and experience differing issues facing the developing world; high debt burden, emergence from conflict, and vulnerability to environmental conditions such as drought and flood.

Objectives of the study The Young Lives study has three broad objectives: • producing good quality panel data about the changing nature of the lives of children in poverty. • trace linkages between key policy changes and child poverty • informing and responding to the needs of policy makers, planners and other stakeholders There will also be a strong education and media element, both in the countries where the project takes place, and in the UK.

The study takes a broad approach to child poverty, exploring not only household economic indicators such as assets and wealth, but also child centred poverty measures such as the child’s physical and mental health, growth, development and education. These child centred measures are age specific so the information collected by the study will change as the children get older.

Further information about the survey, including publications, can be downloaded from the Young Lives website.

Geographic coverage

Young Lives is an international study of childhood poverty, involving 12,000 children in 4 countries. - Ethiopia (20 communities in Addis Ababa, Amhara, Oromia, and Southern National, Nationalities and People's Regions) - India (20 sites across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana) - Peru (74 communities across Peru) - Vietnam (20 communities in the communes of Lao Cai in the north-west, Hung Yen province in the Red River Delta, the city of Danang on the coast, Phu Yen province from the South Central Coast and Ben Tre province on the Mekong River Delta)

Analysis unit

Individuals; Families/households

Universe

Cross-national; Subnational

Children aged approximately 5 years old and their households, and children aged 12 years old and their households, in Ethiopia, India (Andhra Pradesh), Peru and Vietnam, in 2006-2007. These children were originally interviewed in Round 1 of the study. See documentation for details of the exact regions covered in each country.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

Purposive selection/case studies

A key need for the study's objectives was to obtain data at different levels - the children, their households, the community in which they resided, as well as at regional and national levels. This need thus determined that children should be selected in geographic clusters rather than randomly selected across the country. There was, however, a much more important reason for recruiting children in clusters - the sites are also intended to provide suitable settings for a range of complementary thematic studies. For example, one or a few sites may be used for a qualitative study designed to achieve a deeper level of understanding of some social issues, either because they are important in that particular place, or because the sites are appropriate locales to investigate a more general concern. The quantitative panel study is seen as the foundation upon which a coherent and interesting range of linked studies can be set up.

Thus the design was decided, in each country, comprising 20 geographic clusters with 100 children sampled in each cluster.

Sampling deviation

Ethiopia: 1,912 (5-year-olds), 980 (12-year-olds); India: 1,950 (5-year-olds), 994 (12-year-olds); Peru: 1,963 (5-year-olds), 685 (12-year-olds); Vietnam: 1,970 (5-year-olds), 990 (12-year-olds)

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face interview

Research instrument

Every questionnaire used in the study consists of a 'core' element and a country-specific element, which focuses on issues important for that country.

The core element of the questionnaires consists of the following sections: Core 5 & 12 year old household questionnaire • Section 1: Parental background • Section 2: Household education • Section 3: Livelihoods and asset framework • Section 3a: Land & crops • Section 3b: Time allocation • Section 3c: Productive assets • Section 3d: Non-agricultural earnings • Section 3e: Transfers • Section 4: Consumption/Expenditure • Section 4a: Food consumption/expenditure • Section 4b: Non-food consumption/expenditure • Section 5: Social capital • Section 5a: Support networks • Section 5b: Family, group and political capital • Section 5c: Collective action and exclusion • Section 5d: Information networks • Section 6: Economic changes and recent life history • Section 7: Socio-economic status • Section 8: Child care, education & activities (blank in 12yr old household) • Section 9: Child health • Section 10: Child development (blank in 12yr old household) • Section 11: Anthropometry • Section 12: Caregiver perceptions & attitudes

Core 12 year old child questionnaire • Section 1: School and activities • Section 2: Child health • Section 3: Social networks, social skills and social support • Section 4: Feelings and attitudes • Section 5: Parents and household issues • Section 6: Perceptions of household wealth and future • Section 7: Child Development

The community questionnaire used in Ethiopia consists of the following sections: - MODULE 1 General Module • Section 1 General Community Characteristics • Section 2 Social Environment • Section 3 Access to Services • Section 4 Economy • Section 5 Local Prices - MODULE 2 Child-Specific Modules • Section 1 Educational Service (General) • Section 2 NOT INCLUDED IN ETHIOPIA CONTEXT INSTRUMENT • Section 3 Educational Services (Preschool, Primary, Secondary) • Section 4 Health Services • Section 5 Child Protection Services - MODULE 3 Country specific community level questions • Section 1 Conversion factors • Section 2 Migration • Section 3 Social protection program • Section 4 Equity and budget management in education and health

The community questionnaire used in India consists of the following sections: - MODULE 1 General Module • Section 1: General Community Characteristics • Section 2: Social Environment • Section 3: Access to Services • Section 4: Economy • Section 5; Local Prices - MODULE 2 Child-Specific Modules • Section 1: Educational Services (General) • Section 2: Child day care Services • Section 3: Educational Services (Preschool, Primary, Secondary) • Section 4: Health Services • Section 5: Child Protection Services

The community questionnaire used in Peru consists of the following sections: - MODULE 1 General Module • Section 1: General Community Characteristics • Section 2: Social Environment • Section 3: Access to Services • Section 4: Economy • Section 5: Local Prices - MODULE 2 Child-Specific Modules • Section 1: Educational Services (General) • Section 2: Child day care Services • Section 3: Educational Services (Preschool, Primary, Secondary) • Section 4: Health Services • Section 5: Child Protection Services

The community questionnaire used in Vietnam consists of the following sections: - MODULE 1 General Module • Section 1: General Community Characteristics • Section 2: Social Environment • Section 3: Access to Services • Section 4: Economy • Section 5: Local Prices • Section 6: Poverty Alleviation and Infrastructure Initiatives - MODULE 2 Child-Specific Module • Section 1: Educational Services (General and Country Specific) • Section 2: Child day care Services • Section 3: Educational Services (Preschool, Primary, Secondary) • Section 4: Health Services • Section 5: Child Protection Services