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Africa Population 2026

Africa is home to 1,548,778,713 people across 58 countries and territories, about 18.7% of everyone alive. Rates below are weighted by country population rather than averaged flat, so small states do not count the same as large ones.

Total population
1.55B
1,548,778,713
Growth rate
+2.27%
Population-weighted
Density
52/km²
29.9M km² total land area
Major cities
27
Largest: Cairo
Median age
19.7 years
Population-weighted
Life expectancy
64.4 years
Population-weighted
Fertility rate
4.06
Births per woman, weighted
GDP per capita
$2,062
Population-weighted

Largest Countries in Africa

By total population.

  1. Nigeria237.5M
  2. Ethiopia135.5M
  3. Egypt118.4M
  4. DR Congo112.8M
  5. Tanzania70.5M
  6. South Africa64.7M
  7. Kenya57.5M
  8. Sudan51.7M
  9. Uganda51.4M
  10. Algeria47.4M
Ten largest countries in Africa by population
NamePopulation
Nigeria237.5M
Ethiopia135.5M
Egypt118.4M
DR Congo112.8M
Tanzania70.5M
South Africa64.7M
Kenya57.5M
Sudan51.7M
Uganda51.4M
Algeria47.4M

Population Distribution

How Africa's population splits between its largest countries.

Africa total: 1.55B

Population distribution across Africa
NameValueShare
Nigeria237.5M15.3%
Ethiopia135.5M8.7%
Egypt118.4M7.6%
DR Congo112.8M7.3%
Tanzania70.5M4.6%
Other 53 countries874M56.4%

Fastest Growing Countries

Highest annual population growth in Africa.

  1. Mayotte+3.77%
  2. Chad+3.41%
  3. Central African Republic+3.37%
  4. Somalia+3.34%
  5. Niger+3.22%
  6. DR Congo+3.20%
  7. Angola+3.00%
  8. Mali+2.90%
  9. Tanzania+2.86%
  10. Mozambique+2.85%
Fastest growing countries in Africa
NameAnnual growth
Mayotte+3.77%
Chad+3.41%
Central African Republic+3.37%
Somalia+3.34%
Niger+3.22%
DR Congo+3.20%
Angola+3.00%
Mali+2.90%
Tanzania+2.86%
Mozambique+2.85%

All Countries in Africa

58 countries and territories, largest first.

Major Cities in Africa

27 metropolitan areas in our dataset.

See all 27 cities in Africa →

Africa Population FAQ

What is the population of Africa in 2026?

Africa has about 1,548,778,713 people across 58 countries and territories, roughly 18.7% of the world total.

Which is the largest country in Africa by population?

Nigeria, with 237,527,782 people.

What is the largest city in Africa?

Cairo, Egypt, with a metro population of about 22.2M.

How fast is Africa's population growing?

Africa's population is changing by +2.27% a year, weighted by country population. The median age across the continent is 19.7 years.

Other Continents