Africa's population share has accelerated from 9.3% in 1955 to 18.8% in 2025

  • Africa’s share of the global population has more than doubled, from 9.3% in 1955 to an estimated 18.8% in 2025.
  • The most rapid growth has occurred since 2000, increasing from 13.5% to 18.8% over 26 years.
  • Between 1980 and 2000, Africa’s share rose modestly from 10.9% to 13.5%.
  • The most significant 20-year gain occurred between 2000 and 2020, with an increase of 4 percentage points.
  • Population growth in Africa contrasts with stagnation or decline in many other parts of the world.

Africa’s share of the global population has risen over the past seven decades, with growth accelerating sharply in recent years. From just 9.3% in 1955, the continent’s share has climbed to an estimated 18.8% in 2025. The most significant surge has occurred since the year 2000, when Africa accounted for 13.5% of the world’s population, marking a 5.3 percentage-point jump in just 26 years.

The acceleration since the turn of the millennium has been striking. Between 2000 and 2020, Africa’s share rose from 13.5% to 17.5%, and the upward trend continued into the 2020s. This growth means Africa plays an increasingly central role in shaping global demographics, labour markets, and future economic trends.

This demographic expansion brings both opportunities and challenges. With a larger share of the world’s people, Africa’s influence on global consumption, innovation, and cultural exchange is set to grow, but so too is the responsibility to ensure that economic structures, education systems, and infrastructure keep pace with population needs.

Source:

Worldometer

Period:

1955-2025
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