The Least Populated Countries in Africa

Many inquiries have been made about the total population of Africa. How about the least populated countries in Africa?

Africa has a population of around 1.36 billion people. Some African countries have highly dense populations. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has about 200 million people.

According to predictions, Nigeria’s population would reach 790 million by the year 2100. Indeed, Africa’s population continues to rise at a rapid pace, owing primarily to the continent’s high birth rates, which are typical of developing countries. However, there are several African countries with extremely small populations.

The Least Populated Countries in Africa

1. Seychelles

Seychelles is Africa’s least populous country, consisting of an archipelago of tiny islands east of the African mainland and northwest of the African island of Madagascar. The country has a population of only 97,630 people. The lack of population in the Seychelles is due in part to space constraints. Indeed, the country’s total land size is under 460 square kilometers, making it the smallest in Africa.

The population density in the Seychelles is 214 persons per square kilometer. As a result, the country is quite densely inhabited. Furthermore, the population of the Seychelles grows at a pace of 0.4% every year. In fact, the country’s population is anticipated to begin falling by 2047.

Seychelles’ lack of population growth could also be attributed to the fact that it is more developed than many other African countries. Life expectancy in the country is very high when compared to most other African countries.

2. Sao Tome and Principe

The country of Sao Tome and Principe is made up of several small islands, the two largest of which are Sao Tome and Principe. It is located off the west coast of Gabon, a Central African republic. Sao Tome and Principe has a population of only 215,060 people, making it Africa’s second least populous country. The country has a land size of about 960 square kilometers, making it the second smallest country in Africa.

Sao Tome and Principe have a population density of 228 persons per square kilometer. One reason for the high population density could be that the majority of the country is made up of volcanic and mountainous terrain, which makes construction difficult. Despite this, the country’s population is expanding at a quick 2.6% per year.

3. Cabo Verde

Cabo Verde is an island republic in West Africa, more especially off the shores of Senegal and Mauritania. The population of the country is 549,930 people. Cabo Verde has a population density of 138 persons per square km and a land area of 4,030 square kilometers.

As a result, it is less densely inhabited than the Seychelles or Sao Tome & Principe. Cabo Verde, like Seychelles, is more developed and economically stable than many other African countries, which may explain its low yearly population growth rate of 1.13%. In fact, by 2061, this rate is expected to be negative.

4. Comoros

Comoros is an island republic made up of three major islands. It is situated in the Indian Ocean, between the northeast coasts of Mozambique and Madagascar. The Comoros have a population of 850,890 people. The Comoros have a total land area of 1,861 square kilometers, making them Africa’s third smallest country.

The population density in the Comoros is 467 persons per square kilometer. Furthermore, because Comoros’ yearly population growth rate is 2.23%, the rate of population density is likely to rise. This rate, however, is expected to slow slightly by the 2080s.

Read The Most Populated Countries In Africa

5. Djibouti

Djibouti is an East African republic located across the Bab al-Mandab Strait from Yemen. It has a population of 973,560 people and a total land area of 23,180 square kilometers. In comparison to the aforementioned island countries, Djibouti has a low population density.