Sub-Saharan Africa Population 2026

As of 2025, the population of Sub-Saharan Africa is estimated at 1,291,044,964. This represents a significant demographic milestone for the region, which continues to experience rapid population growth driven by high fertility rates and improving life expectancy.

Population

1,291,044,964

Estimate for 2026

1-year growth

+2.47%

10-year avg growth

+2.61%

Population Trend

Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa

Population by decade for each country in this region. Darker cells = larger population.

Country	1970	1980	1990	2000	2010	2020	2024
Nigeria	55.9M	73.8M	97.1M	126.4M	166.6M	214.0M	232.7M
Ethiopia	27.8M	34.4M	47.6M	67.4M	90.5M	118.9M	132.1M
Congo, Dem. Rep.	20.1M	26.7M	36.7M	50.5M	68.6M	96.0M	109.3M
Tanzania	13.5M	19.2M	26.1M	34.3M	44.8M	61.0M	68.6M
South Africa	22.3M	29.5M	40.7M	47.2M	52.3M	60.6M	64.0M
Kenya	11.4M	16.0M	22.9M	30.6M	41.6M	52.2M	56.4M
Sudan	11.7M	17.1M	22.0M	27.8M	35.4M	46.8M	50.4M
Uganda	10.3M	13.3M	17.6M	24.0M	32.4M	44.5M	50.0M
Angola	5.9M	8.1M	11.6M	16.2M	23.3M	33.5M	37.9M
Mozambique	8.3M	11.3M	13.1M	18.1M	23.0M	30.8M	34.6M
Ghana	8.9M	11.9M	15.4M	19.6M	25.5M	31.9M	34.4M
Madagascar	6.7M	9.0M	12.1M	16.5M	22.2M	29.0M	32.0M
Côte d'Ivoire	5.4M	8.2M	12.2M	17.7M	22.5M	28.9M	31.9M
Cameroon	6.4M	8.5M	11.3M	14.9M	19.7M	26.2M	29.1M
Niger	4.7M	6.1M	8.3M	11.5M	16.5M	23.7M	27.0M
Mali	6.3M	7.5M	9.2M	11.6M	15.9M	21.7M	24.5M
Burkina Faso	5.6M	6.9M	9.2M	11.9M	16.2M	21.5M	23.5M
Malawi	4.6M	6.3M	9.5M	11.3M	14.8M	19.5M	21.7M
Zambia	4.3M	5.8M	7.8M	10.0M	14.0M	19.1M	21.3M
Chad	3.7M	4.5M	6.0M	8.5M	12.3M	17.2M	20.3M
Somalia, Fed. Rep.	3.7M	5.9M	7.1M	8.8M	12.3M	16.7M	19.0M
Senegal	4.5M	5.8M	7.7M	10.0M	12.6M	16.8M	18.5M
Zimbabwe	5.2M	7.0M	10.1M	11.9M	13.4M	15.5M	16.6M
Guinea	4.3M	5.0M	6.4M	8.4M	10.4M	13.4M	14.8M
Benin	3.1M	3.9M	5.3M	7.2M	9.8M	13.1M	14.5M
Rwanda	4.0M	5.4M	7.4M	8.2M	10.3M	13.1M	14.3M
Burundi	3.5M	4.4M	5.6M	6.5M	9.4M	12.6M	14.0M
South Sudan	3.4M	4.3M	4.7M	6.0M	9.7M	10.7M	11.9M
Togo	2.2M	2.9M	4.0M	5.1M	6.7M	8.7M	9.5M
Sierra Leone	2.7M	3.3M	4.2M	4.4M	6.2M	7.9M	8.6M
Congo, Rep.	1.4M	1.8M	2.4M	3.2M	4.5M	5.8M	6.3M
Liberia	1.5M	1.9M	2.2M	2.9M	4.1M	5.1M	5.6M
Central African Republic	2.1M	2.5M	2.9M	3.8M	4.5M	5.0M	5.3M
Mauritania	1.1M	1.5M	2.0M	2.6M	3.4M	4.6M	5.2M
Eritrea	1.2M	1.6M	2.0M	2.2M	2.9M	3.3M	3.5M
Namibia	758K	981K	1.4M	1.8M	2.1M	2.7M	3.0M
Gambia, The	524K	714K	1.1M	1.5M	1.9M	2.5M	2.8M
Gabon	596K	748K	984K	1.3M	1.7M	2.3M	2.5M
Botswana	590K	937K	1.3M	1.7M	2.0M	2.4M	2.5M
Lesotho	1.0M	1.4M	1.8M	2.0M	2.0M	2.2M	2.3M
Guinea-Bissau	584K	829K	974K	1.2M	1.6M	2.0M	2.2M
Equatorial Guinea	321K	289K	474K	703K	1.2M	1.7M	1.9M
Mauritius	826K	966K	1.1M	1.2M	1.3M	1.3M	1.2M
Eswatini	441K	597K	872K	1.0M	1.1M	1.2M	1.2M
Comoros	244K	338K	445K	536K	655K	802K	867K
Cabo Verde	288K	323K	375K	453K	510K	515K	525K
São Tomé and Principe	78K	99K	123K	144K	182K	217K	236K
Seychelles	54K	63K	70K	81K	90K	98K	121K

Overview

Sub-Saharan Africa’s population has been expanding at a robust pace, with a 1-year growth rate of 2.47% in 2025. Over the past decade, the average annual growth rate has been 2.61%, reflecting sustained demographic momentum. This growth is among the highest of any major world region, contributing to a young and rapidly urbanizing population. The region’s population dynamics are shaped by factors such as declining infant mortality, relatively high birth rates, and increasing migration within the continent. The current population figure of over 1.29 billion underscores Sub-Saharan Africa’s growing role in global demographic trends, with projections indicating continued expansion in the coming decades. Despite economic and social challenges, the region’s population growth presents both opportunities and pressures for infrastructure, education, and healthcare systems.

FAQ

What is the population of Sub-Saharan Africa in 2025?

The population of Sub-Saharan Africa in 2025 is estimated at 1,291,044,964.

What is the population growth rate of Sub-Saharan Africa?

The 1-year growth rate for 2025 is 2.47%, and the 10-year average growth rate is 2.61%.

Is Sub-Saharan Africa’s population growing fast?

Yes, with a 1-year growth rate of 2.47% and a 10-year average of 2.61%, Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing rapid population growth compared to most other world regions.

What is the 10-year average population growth for Sub-Saharan Africa?

The 10-year average annual population growth rate for Sub-Saharan Africa is 2.61%.

How does Sub-Saharan Africa’s population compare to other regions?

Sub-Saharan Africa’s population of over 1.29 billion in 2025 makes it one of the most populous regions, and its growth rate of 2.47% is among the highest globally.

Data sources & terms