In 2100, one third of Earth’s population will be African
Demography is, without doubt, Africa's greatest challenge in the 21st century. The continent is the fastest growing region in the world. Estimated at 140 million in 1900, it reached one billion inhabitants in 2010. It will reach 2.5 billion by 2050 and more than 4 billion by 2100, according to UN projections. Today, one in six people live in Africa and by 2100, one in three people will be African*.
A race between population growth and economic and social development is inevitable. While the most pessimistic see this rapid growth as a limitation for the continent, it could bring real development opportunities. Beyond the demographic dividend usually mentioned, this growth should lead to new ways of considering urban development, migration, human capital and the role of diasporas.