Population in Africa
Africa: Population was 1.09 million in 2030. ▲ Rising
Population in Africa, 1990–2030
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
The most recent figure for population in Africa is 1.09 million, measured in 2030. That is the highest value across all 41 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 2.7% on the previous year and up 32.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population in Africa peaked at 1.09 million in 2030 and was at its lowest, 356,621, in 1990.
That places Africa 19th out of 91 groups with data for 2030, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 41 years of available data.
Population in Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 356,621 | — |
| 1991 | 367,126 | +2.9% |
| 1992 | 377,604 | +2.9% |
| 1993 | 388,621 | +2.9% |
| 1994 | 399,881 | +2.9% |
| 1995 | 411,188 | +2.8% |
| 1996 | 422,413 | +2.7% |
| 1997 | 433,902 | +2.7% |
| 1998 | 446,531 | +2.9% |
| 1999 | 459,736 | +3.0% |
| 2000 | 473,094 | +2.9% |
| 2001 | 486,744 | +2.9% |
| 2002 | 500,710 | +2.9% |
| 2003 | 514,985 | +2.9% |
| 2004 | 529,587 | +2.8% |
| 2005 | 544,414 | +2.8% |
| 2006 | 559,384 | +2.7% |
| 2007 | 574,664 | +2.7% |
| 2008 | 590,490 | +2.8% |
| 2009 | 606,746 | +2.8% |
| 2010 | 623,448 | +2.8% |
| 2011 | 640,549 | +2.7% |
| 2012 | 658,158 | +2.7% |
| 2013 | 676,630 | +2.8% |
| 2014 | 695,477 | +2.8% |
| 2015 | 714,822 | +2.8% |
| 2016 | 734,707 | +2.8% |
| 2017 | 755,495 | +2.8% |
| 2018 | 777,504 | +2.9% |
| 2019 | 800,032 | +2.9% |
| 2020 | 823,140 | +2.9% |
| 2021 | 846,690 | +2.9% |
| 2022 | 870,763 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | 895,871 | +2.9% |
| 2024 | 921,625 | +2.9% |
| 2025 | 947,895 | +2.9% |
| 2026 | 974,786 | +2.8% |
| 2027 | 1.00 million | +2.8% |
| 2028 | 1.03 million | +2.8% |
| 2029 | 1.06 million | +2.7% |
| 2030 | 1.09 million | +2.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 406,362 | 356,621 | 459,736 | 10 |
| 2000s | 538,082 | 473,094 | 606,746 | 10 |
| 2010s | 707,682 | 623,448 | 800,032 | 10 |
| 2020s | 937,027 | 823,140 | 1.06 million | 10 |
| 2030s | 1.09 million | 1.09 million | 1.09 million | 1 |
Countries ranked near Africa
- 16 Iran, Islamic Republic of 77,077 compare
- 17 Türkiye 72,396 compare
- 18 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 72,291 compare
- 19 Germany 71,489 compare
- 20 Thailand 62,045 compare
- 21 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 60,060 compare
- 22 France 58,516 compare
More gender data for Africa
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) 639,604 (2030)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), annual growth 1.18 % change on previous year (2030)
- Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) 1.09 million (2030)
- Inactivity rate (ILO modelled estimates) 35.2 (2027)
- Number of seats held by women in national parliaments 2,719 (2026)
- Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments 25.9% (2026)
- Proportion of women aged 15-49 years with anaemia 35.9% (2023)
- Proportion of women aged 15-49 years with anaemia, pregnant 42.5% (2023)
- Proportion of women aged 15-49 years with anaemia, non-pregnant 35.3% (2023)
- Proportion of women in managerial positions - 13th ICLS 40.3% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population in Africa?
- Population in Africa was 1.09 million in 2030, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest population recorded in Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 1.09 million in 2030.
- What is the lowest population recorded in Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 356,621 in 1990.
- How does Africa rank for population?
- Africa ranks 19th out of 91 groups with data for 2030.
- Is population rising or falling in Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 32.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Population (UN estimates and projections). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 41 observations, free to reuse under ILO Terms of Use (attribution required).
About this data
Imputed observations are not based on national data, are subject to high uncertainty and should not be used for country comparisons or rankings. The total population comprises persons of all ages who were living in the country during the reference period, regardless of residency status or citizenship. The source for the population figures used is the United Nations' World Population Prospects. For more information, refer to the ILO Modelled Estimates (ILOEST) database description.