Women of reproductive age in West and Central Africa

West and Central Africa: Women of reproductive age was 145.34 million in 2023. ▲ Rising

Latest (2023)
145.34 million
Change on year
up 3.1%
Rank
5th
of 9 groups
All-time high
145.34 million
in 2023
All-time low
55.00 million
in 1990
Years of data
34
1990–2023

Women of reproductive age in West and Central Africa, 1990–2023

050.0M100.0M150.0M1990200620231990: 55.0M1991: 56.6M1992: 58.4M1993: 60.2M1994: 62.3M1995: 64.4M1996: 66.1M1997: 67.9M1998: 70.0M1999: 72.2M2000: 74.4M2001: 76.7M2002: 79.0M2003: 81.3M2004: 83.7M2005: 86.2M2006: 88.6M2007: 91.2M2008: 93.8M2009: 96.5M2010: 99.3M2011: 102.2M2012: 105.1M2013: 108.1M2014: 111.2M2015: 114.4M2016: 117.9M2017: 121.5M2018: 125.2M2019: 128.8M2020: 132.7M2021: 136.7M2022: 140.9M2023: 145.3M

Source: UNICEF.

Analysis

The most recent figure for women of reproductive age in West and Central Africa is 145.34 million, measured in 2023. That is the highest value across all 34 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 3.1% on the previous year and up 34.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, women of reproductive age in West and Central Africa peaked at 145.34 million in 2023 and was at its lowest, 55.00 million, in 1990.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 34 years of available data.

Women of reproductive age in West and Central Africa, year by year

Annual values for Women of reproductive age in West and Central Africa, 1990 to 2023.
Year Value Change
1990 55.00 million
1991 56.63 million +3.0%
1992 58.39 million +3.1%
1993 60.23 million +3.2%
1994 62.32 million +3.5%
1995 64.41 million +3.3%
1996 66.13 million +2.7%
1997 67.87 million +2.6%
1998 69.95 million +3.1%
1999 72.21 million +3.2%
2000 74.44 million +3.1%
2001 76.71 million +3.0%
2002 79.00 million +3.0%
2003 81.32 million +2.9%
2004 83.70 million +2.9%
2005 86.16 million +2.9%
2006 88.64 million +2.9%
2007 91.15 million +2.8%
2008 93.75 million +2.9%
2009 96.46 million +2.9%
2010 99.26 million +2.9%
2011 102.17 million +2.9%
2012 105.10 million +2.9%
2013 108.08 million +2.8%
2014 111.18 million +2.9%
2015 114.39 million +2.9%
2016 117.87 million +3.0%
2017 121.54 million +3.1%
2018 125.19 million +3.0%
2019 128.84 million +2.9%
2020 132.69 million +3.0%
2021 136.74 million +3.1%
2022 140.91 million +3.1%
2023 145.34 million +3.1%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 63.31 million 55.00 million 72.21 million 10
2000s 85.13 million 74.44 million 96.46 million 10
2010s 113.36 million 99.26 million 128.84 million 10
2020s 138.92 million 132.69 million 145.34 million 4

Countries ranked near West and Central Africa

  1. 2 China 319.44 million compare
  2. 3 United States of America 77.21 million compare
  3. 4 Indonesia 72.65 million compare
  4. 5 Pakistan 60.55 million compare
  5. 6 Brazil 55.70 million compare
  6. 7 Nigeria 54.28 million compare
  7. 8 Bangladesh 48.81 million compare

See the full ranking of 210 places →

Frequently asked questions

What is women of reproductive age in West and Central Africa?
Women of reproductive age in West and Central Africa was 145.34 million in 2023, according to UNICEF.
What is the highest women of reproductive age recorded in West and Central Africa?
The highest recorded value was 145.34 million in 2023.
What is the lowest women of reproductive age recorded in West and Central Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 55.00 million in 1990.
How does West and Central Africa rank for women of reproductive age?
West and Central Africa ranks 5th out of 9 groups with data for 2023.
Is women of reproductive age rising or falling in West and Central Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 34.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this West and Central Africa data come from?
The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of Women of reproductive age. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Women of reproductive age in West and Central Africa. Statizoid, drawing on UNICEF. Retrieved 03 September 2026, from https://gender.statizoid.com/stat/women-of-reproductive-age/west-and-central-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Women of reproductive age
Source
UNICEF
Licence
UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage
210 places, 7,140 data points, 1990–2023
Last refreshed