Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) in Africa
Africa: Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) was 1.09 million in 2030. ▲ Rising
Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) in Africa, 1990–2030
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
In 2030, working-age population (un estimates and projections) in Africa stood at 1.09 million. That is the highest value across all 41 years on record.
That represents a change of up 2.7% on the previous year and up 32.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, working-age population (un estimates and projections) in Africa peaked at 1.09 million in 2030 and was at its lowest, 356,621, in 1990.
Africa ranks 19th 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.
Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) 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)
- Population 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 working-age population (un estimates and projections) in Africa?
- Working-age population (un estimates and projections) in Africa was 1.09 million in 2030, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest working-age population (un estimates and projections) recorded in Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 1.09 million in 2030.
- What is the lowest working-age population (un estimates and projections) recorded in Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 356,621 in 1990.
- How does Africa rank for working-age population (un estimates and projections)?
- Africa ranks 19th out of 91 groups with data for 2030.
- Is working-age population (un estimates and projections) 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 Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) (15+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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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. The working-age population is commonly defined as persons aged 15 years and older. For more information, refer to the ILO Modelled Estimates (ILOEST) database description.