Three billion Africans

How demographics will shape African states' economic and political futures

Ian Ingalula via Pixabay

By Ken Opalo

I. A historically empty continent

For much of history the continent of Africa has been largely underpopulated. For example, it wasn’t until the mid-1990s that the entire region’s population surpassed Europe’s (see below). Now the region is in the middle of a demographic boom that will see its population double over the next fifty years to more than three billion. By 2100, half all humans being born will be African. It is not an overstatement to claim that the world’s demographic future is in Africa.

What will a world of three billion Africans mean for African economics and politics?

Source: Our World in Data