Top 10 Most Populated African Countries (2023)

2020 was the year the United Nations estimates that Africa will have a population of 1.2 billion people. Today, the population of African stand at a staggering 1.4B (2023).

This compares with just around 300 million in 1950. In terms of population growth, Africa is currently one of the fastest-growing regions in the world.

The continent is experiencing its highest growth rate in modern history.

This is largely due to declining infant mortality rates in recent decades, thanks to improved medical care and public health initiatives, as well as increased access to contraceptives.

As such, 60 million babies were born in Africa in 2016 alone. This figure is particularly significant when compared to global birth rates across the rest of the world, which stood at 233 million over the same period.

Indeed, the rapid growth of Africa’s population will continue for years to come, with conservative estimates predicting that by 2050, there will be over two billion and four hundred (2.4B) people living on the continent.

However, we will be discussing the top 10 most populated countries in Africa in this article. Are you ready?

1. Nigeria – 214,671,302

Nigeria is the number one most populated country in Africa. It is home to over 214 million inhabitants.

Nigeria’s population increases by about 2.58% yearly. That’s over 5.5 million every year, according to recent research.

Its World’s Share (world’s population) is about 2.64% which makes it the 7th most populous country in the world.

2. Ethiopia – 117, 876,000

Ethiopia is the second-largest country in Africa by population. It is located in the east part of the continent.

It is one of the fastest-growing countries in Africa. Ethiopia has a population of over 117 million people and an annual growth rate of 2.57%.

3. Egypt – 105,558,680

Egypt is the third-largest country in Africa. It has a population of over 105 million, and a large portion of its people resides in Cairo and cities along River Nile.

Egypt’s world share is about 1.31% and has an annual growth rate of 1.94%. That’s about an increase of 2 million people yearly.

It is one of the most visited countries in Africa.

4. The Democratic Republic of Congo – 94,106,628

At number four on the list, the Democratic Republic of Congo has a population of over 90 million people.

With a yearly increase of 3.19%, Congo remains one of the fastest-growing countries in Africa.

5. South Africa – 68,955,864

With a population of over 68 million, South Africa ranked as the fifth-largest country in Africa.

It has an annual growth population of 1.28% (over 800,000 yearly). Official figures suggest that the country is not growing rapidly like others.

6. Tanzania – 62,716,338

Tanzania is located in the East of Africa and borders the Indian Ocean.

It is home for over 62 million people with a 2.98% (over 1.8 million people) increase in its population yearly.

7. Kenya – 56,295,993

Kenya is also located in the East of Africa with a population of over 56 million residents who are majorly below 30 years of age.

It has the most rapidly-growing economy in Africa and is one of the youngest nations in Africa.

8. Uganda – 48,267,103

Uganda is a country entirely surrounded by land located in the East of Africa.

With a population of over 48 million residents and an annual increase of 3.32% (over 1.5 million people), it is one of the fastest-growing countries in Africa.

9. Algeria – 45,291,290

Algeria is the largest country in Africa by land.

It has a population of over 45 million inhabitants and an annual population growth of 1.85% (over 1.4 million people).

Algeria is much of a desert, and most of its residents live in urban areas and around water sources.

10. Sudan – 43,849,269

Sudan is a North African country that borders South Sudan and Egypt.

Despite its population of over 43 million, it is one of the most populous countries in Africa.

African Countries By Population

Rank	Country	Population
1	Nigeria	214,671,302
2	Ethiopia	117, 876,000
3	Egypt	105,558,680
4	The Democratic Republic of the Congo	94,106,628
5	South Africa	68,955,864
6	Tanzania	62,716,338
7	Kenya	56,295,993
8	Uganda	48,267,103
9	Algeria	45,291,290
10	Sudan	43,849,269
11	Morocco	36,471,769
12	Angola	31,825,290
13	Ghana	30,417,860
14	Mozambique	30,366,040
15	Madagascar	26,969,310
16	Cameroon	25,876,380
17	Cote d’Ivoire	25,716,540
18	Niger	23,310,720
19	Burkina Faso	20,321,380
20	Mali	19,658,030
21	Malawi	18,628,747
22	Zambia	17,861,030
23	Senegal	16,296,360
24	Chad	15,946,880
25	Somalia	15,442,910
26	Zimbabwe	14,645,470
27	Guinea	12,771,250
28	Rwanda	12,626,950
29	Benin	11,801,150
30	Tunisia	11,694,720
31	Burundi	11,530,580
32	South Sudan	11,062,110
33	Togo	8,082,370
34	Sierra Leone	7,813,220
35	Libya	6,777,450
36	Congo	5,380,510
37	Liberia	4,937,370
38	Central African Republic	4,745,190
39	Mauritania	4,525,700
40	Eritrea	3,213,970
41	Namibia	2,494,530
42	The Gambia	2,347,710
43	Botswana	2,303,700
44	Gabon	2,172,580
45	Lesotho	2,125,270
46	Guinea-Bissau	1,920,920
47	Equatorial Guinea	1,355,990
48	Mauritius	1,265,710
49	Eswatini	1,148,130
50	Djibouti	973,560
51	Comoros	850,890
52	Cabo Verde	549,930
53	Sao Tome and Principe	215,060
54	Seychelles	97,630