What Percentage of the World's Population Is in Africa?

A little less than 15 percent of the world’s population is in Africa. Although roughly 500 million people live in the many countries on the African continent, 75 percent of the land remains uninhabited. With expectations that the population of Africa could increase to 2 billion by the middle of the 21st century, a crisis in terms of enough food and water to support the increase has already begun developing.

More facts about the population of Africa:

• The majority of Africans live in areas that have plentiful supplies of drinking water. This includes the Nile Valley, areas along the Niger, South Africa and the coasts of West and North Africa.


• Nigeria is the most populous nation in Africa, with more than 155 million citizens. Ethiopia is second, with a population approaching the 91 million mark. By contrast, Uganda is the 10th most populous nation on the continent, with a population of more than 34 million.


• The least populated country in Africa is the tiny Republic of Seychelles, with about 800,000 residents. Once home to pirate hideouts, these tiny islands along the eastern coast of Africa are now a popular tourist attraction. Under British administration until 1976, Seychelles is now independent and has held elections for national offices since 1993.