At 38 years, Mauritius has the oldest median age among African countries

  • Mauritius, with a median age of 38 years, has the oldest population in Africa.
  • The Central African Republic has the youngest population, with a median age of 14 years.
  • Nigeria’s median age of 18 years reflects the dominance of youth in its population.
  • Older populations tend to signal lower fertility rates.
  • Younger populations highlight higher fertility rates and greater demand for education and jobs.

Africa is home to many of the world’s youngest populations, yet it also has countries with comparatively older demographics. At one end of the spectrum, Mauritius leads with a median age of 38 years, making it the oldest in Africa, while the Central African Republic sits at the other extreme with a median age of just 14 years.

Northern and island nations such as Seychelles (34 years), Tunisia (33 years), and Morocco (30 years) generally record older populations, reflecting lower birth rates. Meanwhile, Sub-Saharan countries like Niger, Mali, and Chad remain extremely young, with median ages at 16 years.

Source:

Worldometer

Period:

July 2025
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