Population

Africa, with 13% of the world’s population, is projected to see 34% of the globe’s population increase over the next 50 years.  Africa has a rapidly growing population of 500 million people, yet 75% of the continent is sparsely inhabited. Most people still live a traditional rural lifestyle, though many Africans move to cities in search of employment.

The growth rates in the region range from 2.2 per cent to 2.8 per cent, compared to 1.4 per cent and 1.7 per cent for the world as a whole. The Human Development Report of 2001 indicates that out of 36 nations in the world with low human development, 29 are in Africa and the rest are in Asia. Therefore, Africa, which has the most serious socio-economic problems in the world, is also the continent with the most challenging population problems.

Water is becoming one of the most critical natural resource issues in Africa. The African continent is one of the two regions in the world facing serious shortages. More than 300 million people in Africa still lack reasonable access to safe water. In sub-Saharan Africa, only about 51% of the population have access to safe water, and only 45% to modern sanitation services.

Africa Population Distribution

Source: Africa Cultural Center