Africa is the second-largest and second-most populous continent in the world, home to over 1.54 billion people in 2025. It spans deserts, rainforests, savannas, and vibrant cities, showcasing incredible diversity in both geography and population distribution. This page explores Africa’s demographics, country-wise data, and growth trends using up-to-date statistics and visual insights.
Africa Population by Country
| # | Country | 2025 Population | Land Area (Km²) | Density (P/Km²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nigeria | 237,527,782 | 910,770 | 261 |
| 2 | Ethiopia | 135,472,051 | 1,000,000 | 135 |
| 3 | Egypt | 118,365,995 | 995,450 | 119 |
| 4 | DR Congo | 112,832,473 | 2,267,050 | 50 |
| 5 | Tanzania | 70,545,865 | 885,800 | 80 |
| 6 | South Africa | 64,747,319 | 1,213,090 | 53 |
| 7 | Kenya | 57,532,493 | 569,140 | 101 |
| 8 | Sudan | 51,662,147 | 1,765,048 | 29 |
| 9 | Uganda | 51,384,894 | 199,810 | 257 |
| 10 | Algeria | 47,435,312 | 2,381,740 | 20 |
| 11 | Angola | 39,040,039 | 1,246,700 | 31 |
| 12 | Morocco | 38,430,770 | 446,300 | 86 |
| 13 | Mozambique | 35,631,653 | 786,380 | 45 |
| 14 | Ghana | 35,064,272 | 227,540 | 154 |
| 15 | Madagascar | 32,740,678 | 581,795 | 56 |
| 16 | Côte d’Ivoire | 32,711,547 | 318,000 | 103 |
| 17 | Cameroon | 29,879,337 | 472,710 | 63 |
| 18 | Niger | 27,917,831 | 1,266,700 | 22 |
| 19 | Mali | 25,198,821 | 1,220,190 | 21 |
| 20 | Burkina Faso | 24,074,580 | 273,600 | 88 |
| 21 | Malawi | 22,216,120 | 94,280 | 236 |
| 22 | Zambia | 21,913,874 | 743,390 | 29 |
| 23 | Chad | 21,003,705 | 1,259,200 | 17 |
| 24 | Somalia | 19,654,739 | 627,340 | 31 |
| 25 | Senegal | 18,931,966 | 192,530 | 98 |
| 26 | Zimbabwe | 16,950,795 | 386,850 | 44 |
| 27 | Guinea | 15,099,727 | 245,720 | 61 |
| 28 | Benin | 14,814,460 | 112,760 | 131 |
| 29 | Rwanda | 14,569,341 | 24,670 | 591 |
| 30 | Burundi | 14,390,003 | 25,680 | 560 |
| 31 | Tunisia | 12,348,573 | 155,360 | 79 |
| 32 | South Sudan | 12,188,788 | 610,952 | 20 |
| 33 | Togo | 9,721,608 | 54,390 | 179 |
| 34 | Sierra Leone | 8,819,794 | 72,180 | 122 |
| 35 | Libya | 7,458,555 | 1,759,540 | 4 |
| 36 | Congo | 6,484,437 | 341,500 | 19 |
| 37 | Liberia | 5,731,206 | 96,320 | 60 |
| 38 | Central African Republic | 5,513,282 | 622,980 | 9 |
| 39 | Mauritania | 5,315,065 | 1,030,700 | 5 |
| 40 | Eritrea | 3,607,003 | 101,000 | 36 |
| 41 | Namibia | 3,092,816 | 823,290 | 4 |
| 42 | Gambia | 2,822,093 | 10,120 | 279 |
| 43 | Gabon | 2,593,130 | 257,670 | 10 |
| 44 | Botswana | 2,562,122 | 566,730 | 5 |
| 45 | Lesotho | 2,363,325 | 30,360 | 78 |
| 46 | Guinea-Bissau | 2,249,515 | 28,120 | 80 |
| 47 | Equatorial Guinea | 1,938,431 | 28,050 | 69 |
| 48 | Mauritius | 1,268,280 | 2,030 | 625 |
| 49 | Eswatini | 1,256,174 | 17,200 | 73 |
| 50 | Djibouti | 1,184,076 | 23,180 | 51 |
| 51 | Comoros | 882,847 | 1,861 | 474 |
| 52 | Réunion | 882,405 | 2,500 | 353 |
| 53 | Western Sahara | 600,904 | 266,000 | 2 |
| 54 | Cabo Verde | 527,326 | 4,030 | 131 |
| 55 | Mayotte | 337,011 | 375 | 899 |
| 56 | Sao Tome & Principe | 240,254 | 960 | 250 |
| 57 | Seychelles | 132,779 | 460 | 289 |
| 58 | Saint Helena | 5,197 | 390 | 13 |
- Nigeria leads Africa with 237 million people, accounting for over 15% of the continent’s population.
- Burundi and Rwanda have the highest population densities, with 560 and 591 people/km² respectively.
- Libya and Namibia have vast land but extremely low densities, under 5/km², reflecting desert landscapes.
- Algeria is the largest African country by land, while Mauritius, Mayotte, and Comoros are among the smallest.
Most Populous Countries in Africa (2025 Rankings)
Africa’s population is concentrated in a few key nations. Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Egypt together make up nearly 33% of the entire African population. High-growth countries like DR Congo and Tanzania are projected to see continued expansion. Most of these top countries are in Sub-Saharan and East Africa.
Largest Countries in Africa by Land Area
- Algeria: 2,381,740 km²
- DR Congo: 2,267,050 km²
- Sudan: 1,765,048 km²
- Libya: 1,759,540 km²
- Niger: 1,266,700 km²
- Chad: 1,259,200 km²
- Angola: 1,246,700 km²
- Mali: 1,220,190 km²
- South Africa: 1,213,090 km²
- Mauritania: 1,030,700 km²
\Northern and Central Africa dominate the land area rankings. Algeria, the largest country, occupies nearly 8% of Africa’s land. Despite their size, countries like Libya, Niger, and Chad have sparse populations due to desert terrain. South Africa is the only southern country in the top 10 by area.
Africa’s Population Growth Over Time (1900–2025)
Africa’s population grew from 138 million in 1900 to over 1.55 billion in 2025, a more than 10x increase in 125 years. Rapid growth began around 1950 due to healthcare improvements, rising birth rates, and urbanization. This trend is expected to continue, making Africa the fastest-growing region in the world.
Africa is a continent of immense potential and diversity. With a booming population, vast lands, and rich resources, it plays a key role in shaping the global demographic future. This page offers a comprehensive overview of Africa’s population stats, area rankings, and historical growth.
FAQs
- What is Africa’s population in 2025?
- Around 1.55 billion people.
- Which is the most populated country in Africa?
- Nigeria, with over 237 million people.
- Which country is the largest in Africa by land area?
- Algeria, covering 2.38 million km².
- Which African countries have the highest population density?
- Rwanda and Burundi, with over 550 people per km².
- Is Africa the fastest-growing continent?
- Yes, Africa has the world’s highest population growth rate.
- How many countries are there in Africa?
- 54 recognized countries.
- What is the least populated country in Africa?
- Saint Helena, with just over 5,000 people.