Nigeria remains Africa's most populous country in 2026, with an estimated population of over 223 million people, according to the latest United Nations data. The country accounts for nearly 16% of the continent's total population, which is projected to exceed 1.5 billion this year.
Top 10 Most Populous African Countries in 2026
The UN's World Population Prospects 2024 revision lists the following as the ten most populous countries in Africa as of 2026:
- Nigeria – 223.8 million
- Ethiopia – 126.5 million
- Egypt – 112.7 million
- Democratic Republic of the Congo – 105.8 million
- South Africa – 60.4 million
- Tanzania – 65.5 million
- Kenya – 55.8 million
- Uganda – 50.2 million
- Sudan – 48.3 million
- Algeria – 45.6 million
These ten countries collectively hold over 60% of Africa's population. The data highlights the continued rapid population growth across the continent, with several nations experiencing annual growth rates above 2.5%.
Population Growth Trends and Implications
Africa's population is projected to double by 2050, reaching over 2.5 billion, according to the UN. This growth presents both opportunities and challenges for economic development, infrastructure, and resource management. Nigeria, for instance, is expected to become the third most populous country in the world by 2050, after India and China.
The high population growth rate in many African countries is driven by relatively high fertility rates and improving life expectancy. However, it also strains public services, housing, and employment. Governments across the continent are implementing policies to harness the demographic dividend while addressing these challenges.
Methodology and Data Sources
The population figures are based on medium-variant projections from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. The estimates consider recent census data, fertility trends, mortality rates, and migration patterns. The data is updated annually and provides a consistent basis for cross-country comparisons.
