Total population of Africa 2000-2030

As of 2022, the total population of Africa amounted to just over 1.4 billion. The number of inhabitants on the continent increased annually from 2000 onwards. In comparison, the total population was around 819 million in 2000. According to forecasts, Africa would experience impressive population growth in the coming years and would nearly reach the Asian population by 2100.

Over 200 million people in Nigeria

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa. In 2020, the country’s population exceeded 200 million people. Ethiopia followed with a population of around 115 million, while Egypt ranked third, accounting for approximately 102 million individuals. Other leading African countries in terms of population were the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, South Africa, and Kenya. Additionally, Niger, Equatorial Guinea, and Angola recorded the highest population growth rate on the continent in 2021, with the number of residents rising by over 3.2 percent compared to the previous year. On the other hand, the populations of Mauritius, Lesotho, and Seychelles registered a growth rate below 0.8 percent.

Drivers for population growth

Several factors have driven Africa’s population growth. For instance, the annual number of births on the continent has risen constantly over the years, jumping from 31 million in 2000 to almost 45 million in 2022. Moreover, despite the constant decline in the number of births per woman, the continent’s fertility rate has remained considerably above the global average. Each woman in Africa had an average of over four children throughout her reproductive years as of 2020, compared to a world rate of around two births per woman. At the same time, improved health and living conditions contributed to decreasing mortality rate and increasing life expectancy in recent years, driving population growth.