As of February 2019, the total population of the world exceeded 7.71 billion, and this number continued to grow each day, according to the 2019 State of the World Population Report (SWOP).
This year’s report focused on the need for women to have the right to make choices about their reproductive health and the importance of ensuring timely access to family planning materials for reduced fertility rate.
Africa, with more than 1.2 billion people, is the second-largest and second most populous continent on earth, and this has been blamed largely on the very high fertility rates and the little family planning in most regions.
In spite of the global gains in securing sexual and reproductive rights over the past 50 years, many population groups are still left behind, this year’s SWOP report released by the United Nations Population Fund said.
It said that global fertility rates have roughly halved since the agency began operations in 1969. But it also highlights how reproductive rights remain inaccessible to many, including more than 200 million women worldwide who want to prevent a pregnancy but don’t have access to contraceptives.
“The lack of this power – which influences so many other facets of life, from education to income to safety – leaves women unable to shape their own futures,” said UNFPA Executive Director Natalia Kanem.
By 2100, more than half of the world’s growth is expected to come from Africa, experts say, as the continent experiences exponential growth in life expectancy apart from its relatively young population.
While it’s a good thing to have a higher life expectancy in Africa, there are concerns that the continent might become overcrowded. Analysts argue that prolonged lifespan will cause economic inactivity by older workers, which will ultimately lead to an economic disaster across Africa.
Despite these concerns, the following African countries are increasing at an advanced rate (appearing in no particular order):
Zambia
With life expectancy at 63 years, Zambia’s growth rate was at an average of 3.0 per cent from 2010 to 2019. The fertility rate among women dropped from 7.3 per cent in 1969 to 4.8 per cent in 2019. 34 per cent of the country’s 18.1 million population figure are aged between 10 and 24 years, while 53 percent are between 15 and 64 years.
Uganda
Having a population figure of 45.7 million, Uganda grew at an average of 3.3 percent, from 2010 to 2019. This is a huge growth rate from 1994 when its population figure was 19.9 per cent. With life expectancy at 61, the fertility rate among women is 5.3 per cent, a drop from 7.1 per cent in 1969. 34 per cent of the country’s population figure are aged between 10 and 24 years, while 51 per cent are between 15 and 64 years.
Tanzania
From a 29.1 million population figure in 1994 to 60.9 million in 2019, Tanzania’s growth rate was at an average of 3.1 percent from 2010 to 2019. The fertility rate among women dropped from 6.8 percent in 1969 to 4.8 percent in 2019. 32 percent of the country’s population figure are aged between 10 and 24 years, while 52 per cent is between 15 and 64 years.
Niger
From 2010 to 2019, Niger’s growth rate was at an average of 3.8 percent, with its population figure at 23.2 million, a huge rise from 1994’s 9.2 million. With life expectancy at 61, the fertility rate among women is 7.1 percent, a slight drop from 7.6 percent in 1969. 33 percent of the country’s population figure is aged between 10 and 24 years, while 47 percent are between 15 and 64 years.
Mali
From 9.4 million population figure in 1994 to 19.7 million in 2019, Mali’s growth rate was at an average of 3.0 percent – from 2010 to 2019. Life expectancy is at 59, while the fertility rate among women is 5.8 percent, a drop from 7.1 percent in 1969. 33 percent of the country’s population figure are aged between 10 and 24 years, and 50 percent are between 15 and 64 years.
Gambia
With life expectancy at 62, Gambia’s population figure is at 2.2 million, an increase from 1.0 million in 1994. From 2010 to 2019, growth rate was at an average of 3.1 percent, while fertility rate among women at the moment is 5.2 percent, an almost 1 percent drop from 1969’s 6.0 percent figure. The country’s population aged between 10 and 24 years are 33 percent while 53 percent are between 15 and 64 years.
Equatorial Guinea
With a population of 1.4 million, the country’s growth rate, from 2010 to 2019, was at an average of 4 percent, the highest on the continent. The fertility rate among women is 4.4 percent, a drop from 5.8 percent in 1969. The country’s population aged between 10 and 24 years are 29 percent while 60 percent are between 15 and 64 years. Life expectancy in Equatorial Guinea is 59.
Democratic Republic of Congo
With life expectancy at 61, DRC’s population figure is 86.7 million, having doubled from 40.3 million in 1994. The population grew at an average of 3.3 percent from 2010 to 2019, while the fertility rate among women currently is 5.8 percent. In 1969, the figure was 6.2 percent. Those aged between 10 and 24 years are 32 percent while 51 percent are between 15 and 64 years.
Chad
Growing at an average of 3.2 percent, Chad’s population figure is 15.8 million, compared with 6.8 million in 1994. The fertility rate is 5.6 percent while life expectancy at birth is 54 years. The country’s population aged between 10 and 24 years are 34 percent while 51 percent are between 15 and 64 years.
Burundi
From a 5.9 million population figure in 1994 to 11.6 million in 2019, Burundi’s average growth rate, from 2010 to 2019, was 3.1 percent. Life expectancy at birth is 59 years, while the fertility rate is 5.5 percent, a drop from 7.3 percent in 1969. The country’s population aged between 10 and 24 years are 31 percent while 52 percent are between 15 and 64 years.
