Most Populous African Countries (Comprehensive List)
Africa is made up of over 50 countries with over 1.2 billion people. According to Statista.com, the African continent contains 16.22% of the world’s population and is the second most populous continent.
The African continent covers almost 20% of the Earth’s land and 6% of the Earth’s total surface.
Top 10 Most Populous African Countries
Here is a list of the ten most populous countries in Africa.
#10 - Algeria
Algeria is the largest country in Africa with a population of 40,917,854 people according to the United Nations latest estimate. The country covers a land area of 2,375,056 km2 with an average of 17 persons per km2.
Despite its large land area, most of Algeria is covered by desert. As a result, 73.5% of Algeria’s population is located in the urban area. The population is expected to grow at a rate of 1.7% per year.
#9 - Uganda
Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa. It is the second most populous landlocked country in Africa. Uganda has a population of 41,369,079 according to the United Nations latest estimate.
The country covers a land area of 199,816 km2 with a population density of 209 people per km2. The population is expected to change yearly by 3.3%.
#8 - Sudan
Sudan is Africa’s third largest country with the Nile River dividing the country into two halves. Sudan has a population of 41, 955, 619 according to the United Nations latest estimate. The country covers a land area of 1, 167, 191 km2 with a population density of 24 people per km2. The population is expected to change yearly by 2.41%.
#7 - Kenya
Kenya is located in the Great Lakes region of East Africa. It has a population of 48,208,281 according to the United Nations latest estimate. The country covers a land area of 569,295 km2 with a population density of 85 people per km2. The population is expected to change yearly by 2.41 %.
#6 - South Africa
South Africa is a country with many different cultures, languages, and religions. The country is so pluralistic that there are 11 official languages. According to the United Nations latest estimate, it has a population of 55,339,673 people.
The country covers a land area of 1,213,662 km2 with a population density of 46 people per km2. The population is expected to change yearly by 0.83%.
#5 - Tanzania
Tanzania is located within the African Great Lakes region in East Africa. It is home to Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. It has a population of 56,510,339 according to the United Nations latest estimate.
The country covers a land area of 885, 321 km2 with a population density of 64 people per km2. The population is expected to change yearly by 3.12%.
#4 - DR Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo, a Central African country, is the second largest country in Africa and the fourth most populated in Africa. It has a population of 81,705,300 according to the United Nations latest estimate.
The country covers a land area of 2,264,847 km2 with a population density of 36 people per km2. The population is expected to change yearly by 3.16%.
#3 - Egypt
The country of Egypt is located on two continents, Africa and Asia. With a population of 94,826,338 people, it is the most populous country in North Africa and has the third highest population in Africa.
The country covers a land area of 995,560 km2 with a population density of96 people per km2. The population is expected to change yearly by 1.96%.
#2 - Ethiopia
With a population of 103,815,046 according to the United Nations latest estimate, Ethiopia is the most populous landlocked country in the world and the second most populous country on the continent of Africa.
Located in the Horn of Africa, the country covers a land area of 910,802 km2 with a population density of 104 people per km2. The population is expected to change yearly by 2.45%.
#1 - Nigeria
Nigeria, a country located in Central Africa is the most populous African country and the seventh most populous country in the world. It has a current population of 190,804,350 and is also called the “Giant of Africa.”
The country covers a land area of 999,541 km2 with a population density of 211 people per km2. With one of the largest populations of youth in the world, the population is expected to change yearly by 2.59%.
Ranking of African Countries by Population
| # | Country (or dependency) | Population (2017) | Yearly Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nigeria | 190,804,350 | 2.59 % |
| 2 | Ethiopia | 103,815,046 | 2.45 % |
| 3 | Egypt | 94,826,338 | 1.96 % |
| 4 | DR Congo | 81,705,300 | 3.16 % |
| 5 | Tanzania | 56,510,339 | 3.12 % |
| 6 | South Africa | 55,436,360 | 0.83 % |
| 7 | Kenya | 48,208,281 | 2.57 % |
| 8 | Sudan | 41,955,619 | 2.41 % |
| 9 | Uganda | 41,369,079 | 3.3 % |
| 10 | Algeria | 40, 917, 854 | 1.7 % |
| 11 | Morocco | 35,241,418 | 1.22 % |
| 12 | Mozambique | 29,537,914 | 2.74 % |
| 13 | Ghana | 28,656,723 | 2.22 % |
| 14 | Angola | 26,655,513 | 3.19 % |
| 15 | Madagascar | 25,612,972 | 2.8 % |
| 16 | Cameroon | 24,513,689 | 2.46 % |
| 17 | Côte d'Ivoire | 23,815,886 | 2.42 % |
| 18 | Niger | 21,563,607 | 4.1 % |
| 19 | Burkina Faso | 19,173,322 | 2.9 % |
| 20 | Mali | 18,689,966 | 3.06 % |
| 21 | Malawi | 18,298,679 | 3.09 % |
| 22 | Zambia | 17,237,931 | 3.11 % |
| 23 | Zimbabwe | 16,337,760 | 2.32 % |
| 24 | Senegal | 16,054,275 | 2.98 % |
| 25 | Chad | 14,965,482 | 3.23 % |
| 26 | Guinea | 13,290,659 | 2.65 % |
| 27 | South Sudan | 13,096,190 | 2.85 % |
| 28 | Rwanda | 12,159,586 | 2.33 % |
| 29 | Burundi | 11,936,481 | 3.32 % |
| 30 | Tunisia | 11,494,760 | 1.05 % |
| 31 | Benin | 11,458,611 | 2.61 % |
| 32 | Somalia | 11,391,962 | 2.82 % |
| 33 | Togo | 7,691,915 | 2.6 % |
| 34 | Sierra Leone | 6,732,899 | 2.14 % |
| 35 | Libya | 6,408,742 | 1.24 % |
| 36 | Eritrea | 5,481,906 | 2.43 % |
| 37 | Central African Republic | 5,098,826 | 2.01 % |
| 38 | Congo | 4,866,243 | 2.64 % |
| 39 | Liberia | 4,730,437 | 2.5 % |
| 40 | Mauritania | 4,266,448 | 2.4 % |
| 41 | Namibia | 2,568,569 | 2.17 % |
| 42 | Botswana | 2,343,981 | 1.74 % |
| 43 | Lesotho | 2,185,159 | 1.15 % |
| 44 | Gambia | 2,120,418 | 3.18 % |
| 45 | Guinea-Bissau | 1,932,871 | 2.35 % |
| 46 | Gabon | 1,801,232 | 2.16 % |
| 47 | Swaziland | 1,320,356 | 1.25 % |
| 48 | Mauritius | 1,281,353 | 0.3 % |
| 49 | Djibouti | 911,382 | 1.31 % |
| 50 | Equatorial Guinea | 894,464 | 2.86 % |
| 51 | Réunion | 873,356 | 0.71 % |
| 52 | Comoros | 825,920 | 2.33 % |
| 53 | Western Sahara | 596,021 | 2.02 % |
| 54 | Cabo Verde | 533,468 | 1.23 % |
| 55 | Mayotte | 253,068 | 2.67 % |
| 56 | Sao Tome and Principe | 198,481 | 2.1 % |
| 57 | Seychelles | 97,539 | 0.53 % |
| 58 | Saint Helena | 3,970 | 0.35 % |
Scientists say the earliest humans were found on the continent of Africa. Today the continent of Africa is home to many different languages, peoples, and cultures. It has the youngest population of all the continents and continues to grow at a rate of 3% per year. The largest country by area is Algeria and the most populous country is Nigeria.
Source: Worldometers