In this article, we will take a look at the 10 countries with the youngest population in Africa. Before moving on to the list, we will discuss the broader population trends across the continent and its economic prospects.
The African continent is expected to contribute the most to the increase in global population growth over the next 30 years. Between 2021 and 2035, Africa will account for 51% of the population growth, and by 2050, its contribution will rise to 63%. From 2035 to 2050, Africa’s share of global population growth will rise to 76%.
This shift indicates that Africa has become the epicenter of global demographic expansion, with one of the highest growth rates in the world at over 2.5% per year. If these trends persist, Africa’s share of the global population will reach 21% by 2035 and 26% by 2050. This is a significant increase from 6% in 1900.
In recent years, there has been a renewed focus on Africa’s demographics. With 1.4 billion people, it is the second most populous continent. Despite having the highest death rates globally, the continent’s population growth rate of approximately 2.5% per year will result in an increase of one billion people over the next 30 years.
Currently, Africa’s median age is 18.8 years. According to UNICEF’s definition of children as individuals under 18, this means that 47% of Africa’s population consists of children. By 2050, one-third of the world’s youth will reside in Sub-Saharan Africa. This demographic trend presents numerous challenges, such as providing access to basic education and healthcare. To meet the needs of the expanding population, it is important for the continent to develop and observe growth in its GDP.
Economic Growth Projections
The continent’s real gross domestic product (GDP) is projected to grow by an average of 3.8% in 2024 and 4.2% in 2025. These rates surpass the predicted global averages of 2.9% and 3.2%, respectively. Interestingly, eleven of the world’s 20 fastest-growing economies will be in Africa in 2024.
Africa is expected to maintain its position as the second-fastest-growing region globally, following Asia. You can check out the 15 fastest-growing African economies in 2024 here.
Africa’s economic development is supported by major companies operating in the region and contributing to the growth and employment rates in the continent. Some of the known companies operating in Africa include MTN Group Limited (JSE:MTN), Sasol Limited (NYSE:SSL), and Vodacom Group Limited (JSE:VOD).
MTN Group Limited (JSE:MTN) is a multinational corporation based in South Africa that specializes in providing network information technology services. The company serves around 288 million subscribers across Africa and the Middle East. MTN Group Limited (JSE:MTN) recorded service revenue of R42.9 billion for the period ended 31 March 2024.
Vodacom Group Limited (JSE:VOD), headquartered in South Africa, is a mobile communications company that offers a range of services, including voice, data, messaging, and cloud management services. Vodacom Group Limited’s (JSE:VOD) mobile networks provide coverage to a population exceeding 500 million people. Vodafone Group plc (NASDAQ:VOD) holds a majority ownership stake in Vodacom, with a 65.1% holding.
Sasol Limited (NYSE:SSL), headquartered in Sandton, South Africa, is an integrated energy and chemical company. The company is involved in the production of chemicals, liquid fuels, and low-carbon electricity. Its operations are divided into several segments, including Mining, Exploration, Base Chemicals, and Group Functions.
Sasol Limited (NYSE:SSL) shared an update in the Q4 2023 earnings call:
“In the past year, we remain committed in stabilizing our business through our operational mitigation plans and have seen good progress in this regard. Looking at our energy business, our mining productivity of 951 tonnes per continuous miner per shift was 3% lower than the prior year due to unplanned safety stoppages and operational challenges experienced earlier in the year. The second half of the year, our focused efforts realized a 5% improvement in productivity, while we diligently progressed the rollout of our full potential program. In Mozambique, production was 2% higher than the prior year, reflecting a strong production performance, which was underpinned by the additional wells brought online in our PPA license. Secunda operations production for the year was 1% higher than prior year despite the planned total East factory shutdown. This performance was achieved as a result of management interventions to reduce the impact of coal quality variability and higher availability of natural gas. Owing to this performance, the Energy business recorded a 1% improvement in gross margin. In the Chemicals business, Chemicals Africa sales volumes for the financial year were 1% higher than last year despite ongoing infrastructure challenges in South Africa. Chemicals America sales volumes were 9% higher and compared when compared to the prior financial year.”
Pixabay/Public Domain
Our Methodology
We compiled a list of the top 10 countries with the youngest population in Africa by consulting the CIA’s World Factbook. These countries have been arranged in descending order based on the median age of their populations as of estimates in 2024. We have used the total population to tie-break between countries with the same median age.
You can also check out the Top 10 youngest population countries in the world here.
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10 Countries with the Youngest Population in Africa
10. Guinea-Bissau
Median Age: 18.4 years
Guinea-Bissau is situated on West Africa’s Atlantic coast. It is a tropical country known for its national parks and diverse wildlife. Around one-fifth of Guinea-Bissau’s total population of 2.1 million resides in the capital city of Bissau, while the rest is spread across the country’s eight other primarily rural regions. Guinea-Bissau is also one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change.
9. Burundi
Median Age: 18.4 years
Burundi is amongst the most densely populated countries in Africa. Almost two-thirds of the country’s population is under the age of 25. With a birth rate of about 5 children per woman as of 2022, Burundi is expected to record continued growth over the coming decades. The total population in Burundi stands at over 13.5 million.
8. Mozambique
Median Age: 17.3 years
Mozambique is located in southern Africa. The country has a lengthy Indian Ocean coastline lined with popular beaches such as Tofo and offshore marine parks. The median age in Mozambique stands at 17.3 years, making it one of the countries with the youngest population in Africa.
7. Benin
Median Age: 17.2 years
Benin is situated in Western Africa. Benin has a very young population, with nearly 65% of its people under the age of 25 as of 2022. This youthful demographic is supported by high fertility and population growth rates. Although the total fertility rate in Benin has been decreasing over the years, it still remains high at 5.4 children per woman as of 2022.
6. Democratic Republic of the Congo
Median Age: 16.9 years
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is sixth on our list of the 10 countries with the youngest population in Africa. Congo is situated in Central Africa, northeast of Angola, and is one of the most populated countries in the continent. Around 78% of the country’s population is living in slums as of 2020.
5. Chad
Median Age: 16.7 years
Chad originated from a group of influential states that governed the Sahelian region from approximately the 9th century. After gaining independence in 1960, Chad faced three decades marked by instability, oppressive governance, and civil conflict. The population is spread unevenly in the country, mainly because of differences in climate and geography. The southwest, especially around Lake Chad and points further south, has the highest population density. On the other hand, the northern Saharan area is less densely populated. The median age in the country stands at 16.7 years.