Population in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa: Population was 875,918 in 2030. ▲ Rising
Population in Sub-Saharan Africa, 1990–2030
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
The most recent figure for population in Sub-Saharan Africa is 875,918, measured in 2030. That is the highest value across all 41 years on record.
The figure is up 2.8% on the previous year and up 34.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population in Sub-Saharan Africa peaked at 875,918 in 2030 and was at its lowest, 273,087, in 1990.
Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 21st of 91 groups on this measure, in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 41 years of available data.
Population in Sub-Saharan Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 273,087 | — |
| 1991 | 281,071 | +2.9% |
| 1992 | 289,135 | +2.9% |
| 1993 | 297,626 | +2.9% |
| 1994 | 306,272 | +2.9% |
| 1995 | 314,865 | +2.8% |
| 1996 | 323,351 | +2.7% |
| 1997 | 332,032 | +2.7% |
| 1998 | 341,679 | +2.9% |
| 1999 | 351,818 | +3.0% |
| 2000 | 362,096 | +2.9% |
| 2001 | 372,657 | +2.9% |
| 2002 | 383,530 | +2.9% |
| 2003 | 394,736 | +2.9% |
| 2004 | 406,276 | +2.9% |
| 2005 | 418,049 | +2.9% |
| 2006 | 430,036 | +2.9% |
| 2007 | 442,395 | +2.9% |
| 2008 | 455,313 | +2.9% |
| 2009 | 468,661 | +2.9% |
| 2010 | 482,607 | +3.0% |
| 2011 | 497,216 | +3.0% |
| 2012 | 512,200 | +3.0% |
| 2013 | 527,717 | +3.0% |
| 2014 | 543,508 | +3.0% |
| 2015 | 559,812 | +3.0% |
| 2016 | 576,581 | +3.0% |
| 2017 | 593,964 | +3.0% |
| 2018 | 612,482 | +3.1% |
| 2019 | 631,651 | +3.1% |
| 2020 | 651,491 | +3.1% |
| 2021 | 671,757 | +3.1% |
| 2022 | 692,318 | +3.1% |
| 2023 | 713,944 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | 736,268 | +3.1% |
| 2025 | 758,649 | +3.0% |
| 2026 | 781,323 | +3.0% |
| 2027 | 804,440 | +3.0% |
| 2028 | 827,932 | +2.9% |
| 2029 | 851,759 | +2.9% |
| 2030 | 875,918 | +2.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 311,094 | 273,087 | 351,818 | 10 |
| 2000s | 413,375 | 362,096 | 468,661 | 10 |
| 2010s | 553,774 | 482,607 | 631,651 | 10 |
| 2020s | 748,988 | 651,491 | 851,759 | 10 |
| 2030s | 875,918 | 875,918 | 875,918 | 1 |
Countries ranked near Sub-Saharan Africa
- 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
- 23 Italy 51,731 compare
- 24 South Africa 51,011 compare
More gender data for Sub-Saharan Africa
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) 552,879 (2030)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), annual growth 1.42 % change on previous year (2030)
- Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) 875,918 (2030)
- Inactivity rate (ILO modelled estimates) 29.77 (2027)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), per capita 0.0004 units per person (2025)
- Labor force, female 247.09 million (2025)
- Labor force, female, per capita 0.187 units per person (2025)
- Labor force, female, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), per unit of 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Labor force, female, annual growth rate 2.97 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Population in Sub-Saharan Africa was 875,918 in 2030, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest population recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 875,918 in 2030.
- What is the lowest population recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 273,087 in 1990.
- How does Sub-Saharan Africa rank for population?
- Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 21st out of 91 groups with data for 2030.
- Is population rising or falling in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 34.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Sub-Saharan 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.