Nigeria has maintained its position as the most populous country in Africa, with an estimated population of 242.4 million in 2026, according to Worldometer projections.
The figures place Nigeria well ahead of Ethiopia, with 138.9 million, and Egypt, with 120.1 million.
Africa as a continent continues its rapid growth, driven by high fertility rates and improving healthcare, with projections indicating it will surpass 2.5 billion people by 2050.
Nigeria’s growth rate stands at around 2.1 percent, adding nearly 5 million people annually. Its youthful demographic, with a median age of 18 years and average fertility of 4.2 children per woman, is expected to fuel labour and consumer expansion.
The Democratic Republic of Congo ranks fourth with 116.45 million, followed by Tanzania, South Africa, Kenya, Sudan, Uganda and Algeria in the top ten. The demographic trends are anticipated to reshape global markets, investment flows and labour dynamics.
