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By 2100, many African countries will witness exponential growth in their population.
In 2023, India overtook China to become the most populated country. (Getty Images)
From approximately 2.5 billion in 1950 to an estimated 8 billion in 2022, the world population has grown exponentially in the last 70 years. It’s projected to be 9.7 billion by 2050 and 10.4 billion by 2100. The growth will not be uniform across all the countries. While some will see a major population boom, others might experience a steady decline owing to changing birth rates, migration trends and other factors.
Here’s a list by the United Nations (UN) Population Division, which identifies the top 10 countries that would have the highest population by 2100.
India
It’s no surprise that India will remain the most populous country in the world even after 75 years. In 2023, India took over China to become the most populous country, and it is expected to grow for several more decades with an estimated 1.53 billion people by 2100.
China
China’s population peaked in 2022. While it will witness a decline in its population, by the end of the century, China’s population will still be around 771 million.
Nigeria
Africa is set to witness exponential growth in its population in the coming years. Nigeria will become the third most populous country after India and China by 2100, with an estimated 546 million people.
Pakistan
Pakistan, already one of the most densely populated countries, will continue to grow in terms of population. By 2100, its population might reach an estimated 487 million people.
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
The DRC will experience a significant rise, reaching a population of 431 million people by 2100. Currently, Congo has a population of 110 million, and it is projected to increase by 110% by 2050.
United States of America
The US is currently the third most-populated country in the world. By 2100, it is expected to reach 394 million, with most of its population growth attributed to immigration followed by natural birth rates.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia, which currently has a population of 133 million, will witness a steep increase, with the population expected to surge to 323 million.
Indonesia
At present, Indonesia is the fourth most populous country, and it won’t witness much growth in the population. Currently, it has a population of 284 million, and as per the UN Population Division, it will reach 297 million by the end of the 21st century.
Tanzania
Tanzania’s population is expected to grow four times by the end of this century. As of now, the country has a population of 61.7 million and is expected to grow to 244 million by 2100.
Egypt
Egypt will also experience a significant increase in its population, reaching an estimated 225 million by the beginning of the new century.
Such population shifts are mainly influenced by three factors: fertility rates, longevity, and migrations. While high fertility rates in African countries are the reason behind their population explosion, developed countries with a large number of elderly people are witnessing a steep decline in their population. Meanwhile, migration also plays a role in population trends.
Population growth also comes with its set of challenges. Overpopulation can strain resources, increase environmental degradation and put pressure on existing infrastructure, healthcare and education. On the other hand, countries experiencing population growth can also turn this into an opportunity by investing more in education, job creation and healthcare.
