Population in Western Africa
Western Africa: Population was 320,269 in 2030. ▲ Rising
Population in Western Africa, 1990–2030
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
Western Africa recorded 320,269 for population in 2030. That is the highest value across all 41 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 2.8% on the previous year and up 34.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population in Western Africa peaked at 320,269 in 2030 and was at its lowest, 100,849, in 1990.
Western Africa ranks 48th of 91 groups on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 41 years of available data.
Population in Western Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 100,849 | — |
| 1991 | 103,663 | +2.8% |
| 1992 | 106,728 | +3.0% |
| 1993 | 109,977 | +3.0% |
| 1994 | 113,274 | +3.0% |
| 1995 | 116,634 | +3.0% |
| 1996 | 120,069 | +2.9% |
| 1997 | 123,658 | +3.0% |
| 1998 | 127,450 | +3.1% |
| 1999 | 131,257 | +3.0% |
| 2000 | 135,057 | +2.9% |
| 2001 | 138,960 | +2.9% |
| 2002 | 142,977 | +2.9% |
| 2003 | 147,045 | +2.8% |
| 2004 | 151,183 | +2.8% |
| 2005 | 155,439 | +2.8% |
| 2006 | 159,776 | +2.8% |
| 2007 | 164,226 | +2.8% |
| 2008 | 168,914 | +2.9% |
| 2009 | 173,814 | +2.9% |
| 2010 | 178,834 | +2.9% |
| 2011 | 184,044 | +2.9% |
| 2012 | 189,345 | +2.9% |
| 2013 | 194,732 | +2.8% |
| 2014 | 200,301 | +2.9% |
| 2015 | 206,047 | +2.9% |
| 2016 | 212,127 | +3.0% |
| 2017 | 218,523 | +3.0% |
| 2018 | 225,050 | +3.0% |
| 2019 | 231,715 | +3.0% |
| 2020 | 238,649 | +3.0% |
| 2021 | 245,850 | +3.0% |
| 2022 | 253,320 | +3.0% |
| 2023 | 261,066 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | 269,009 | +3.0% |
| 2025 | 277,155 | +3.0% |
| 2026 | 285,498 | +3.0% |
| 2027 | 294,002 | +3.0% |
| 2028 | 302,630 | +2.9% |
| 2029 | 311,397 | +2.9% |
| 2030 | 320,269 | +2.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 115,356 | 100,849 | 131,257 | 10 |
| 2000s | 153,739 | 135,057 | 173,814 | 10 |
| 2010s | 204,072 | 178,834 | 231,715 | 10 |
| 2020s | 273,858 | 238,649 | 311,397 | 10 |
| 2030s | 320,269 | 320,269 | 320,269 | 1 |
Countries ranked near Western Africa
- 45 Uzbekistan 27,599 compare
- 46 Angola 25,925 compare
- 47 Ghana 25,512 compare
- 48 Mozambique 23,468 compare
- 49 Australia 23,430 compare
- 50 Madagascar 22,905 compare
- 51 Côte d'Ivoire 22,651 compare
More gender data for Western Africa
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) 198,948 (2030)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), annual growth 0.9192 % change on previous year (2030)
- Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) 320,269 (2030)
- Population (UN estimates and projections), annual growth rate 2.85 % change on previous year (2030)
- Inactivity rate (ILO modelled estimates) 26.63 (2027)
- SDG indicator 1.1.1: Working poverty rate 28.16 (2025)
- Number of seats held by women in national parliaments 454 (2026)
- Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments 19.9% (2026)
- Proportion of women aged 15-49 years with anaemia 41.9% (2023)
- Proportion of women aged 15-49 years with anaemia, pregnant 49.4% (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population in Western Africa?
- Population in Western Africa was 320,269 in 2030, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest population recorded in Western Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 320,269 in 2030.
- What is the lowest population recorded in Western Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 100,849 in 1990.
- How does Western Africa rank for population?
- Western Africa ranks 48th out of 91 groups with data for 2030.
- Is population rising or falling in Western Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 34.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Western 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.