Population of Western Africa 2023

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Population of Western Africa 2023

A Demographic Overview of the Most Populated Subregion in Africa

As of November 7, 2022, Western Africa has a population of 425,958,856, according to the latest estimates from the United Nations. This subregion’s population is equivalent to 5.16% of the world’s total population, making it one of the most populous regions in Africa.

Population Density in Western Africa

With a population density of 66 people per square kilometer (172 people per square mile), Western Africa is relatively sparsely populated. The region’s total land area spans 6,064,060 square kilometers (2,341,346 square miles), making it one of the largest subregions in Africa.

Urbanization in Western Africa

As of 2019, 47.7% of Western Africa’s population lived in urban areas, which is equivalent to 191,841,724 people. This reflects a trend towards urbanization, as more and more people move from rural to urban areas in search of employment opportunities and a higher standard of living.

Median Age in Western Africa

The median age in Western Africa is 18.2 years, which is significantly younger than the global median age of 30.9 years. This can be attributed to the region’s high birth rates and relatively low life expectancies, which are influenced by factors such as poverty, disease, and conflict.

Countries in Western Africa

Country

Population (2020)

Nigeria

206,139,589

Ghana

31,072,940

Côte d’Ivoire

26,378,274

Niger

24,206,644

Burkina Faso

20,903,273

Mali

20,250,833

Senegal

16,743,927

Guinea

13,132,795

Benin

12,123,200

Togo

8,278,724

Sierra Leone

7,976,983

Liberia

5,057,681

Mauritania

4,649,658

Gambia

2,416,668

Guinea-Bissau

1,968,001

Cabo Verde

555,987

Saint Helena

6,077

Western Africa Population in 2020 and it’s Historical

Year Population Annual %
Change		 Annual
Change		 Migrants (net) Median Age Fertility Rate Density (P/Km²) Urban
Pop %		 Urban Population Western Africa’s
Share of
World Pop		 World Population Western Africa
Rank within
Africa
2020 401,861,254 2.7 % 10,028,724 -177,000 18.2 5.18 66 47.7 % 191,841,724 5.4 % 7,794,798,739 2
2020 401,861,254 2.66 % 10,421,097 -177,002 17.9 5.45 66 47.7 % 191,841,724 5.2 % 7,794,798,739 2
2019 391,440,157 2.69 % 10,237,717 -177,002 17.9 5.45 65 47.1 % 184,411,463 5.1 % 7,713,468,100  
2018 381,202,440 2.71 % 10,042,910 -177,002 17.9 5.45 63 46.5 % 177,188,860 5.0 % 7,631,091,040 2
2017 371,159,530 2.72 % 9,832,240 -177,002 17.9 5.45 61 45.8 % 170,171,309 4.9 % 7,547,858,925 2
2016 361,327,290 2.73 % 9,609,657 -177,002 17.9 5.45 60 45.2 % 163,355,934 4.8 % 7,464,022,049 2
2015 351,717,633 2.75 % 8,935,439 -279,900 17.9 5.52 58 44.6 % 156,740,414 5.1 % 7,379,797,139 2
2010 307,040,440 2.77 % 7,829,158 -196,700 17.8 5.74 51 41.2 % 126,623,066 4.7 % 6,956,823,603 2
2005 267,894,648 2.68 % 6,629,205 -160,900 17.7 5.95 44 37.9 % 101,494,729 4.4 % 6,541,907,027 2
2000 234,748,622 2.68 % 5,811,361 -89,100 17.7 6.15 39 34.7 % 81,350,496 4.1 % 6,143,493,823 2
1995 205,691,819 2.64 % 5,031,362 -228,500 17.4 6.40 34 32.4 % 66,615,855 3.9 % 5,744,212,979 2
1990 180,535,011 2.72 % 4,528,712 -197,900 17.2 6.66 30 30.2 % 54,499,006 3.7 % 5,327,231,061 2
1985 157,891,451 2.76 % 4,018,397 -194,300 17.3 6.86 26 26.8 % 42,387,936 3.5 % 4,870,921,740 2
1980 137,799,464 2.76 % 3,511,539 -29,600 17.6 6.90 23 23.6 % 32,501,281 3.4 % 4,458,003,514 2
1975 120,241,770 2.54 % 2,832,347 -39,100 18.0 6.80 20 21.1 % 25,347,359 3.2 % 4,079,480,606 2
1970 106,080,033 2.32 % 2,294,546 -28,100 18.4 6.63 17 18.7 % 19,799,585 3.2 % 3,700,437,046 2
1965 94,607,302 2.18 % 1,932,048 -11,500 18.7 6.56 16 9.5 % 9,005,486 3.1 % 3,339,583,597 2
1960 84,947,061 1.96 % 1,567,748 -14,300 18.9 6.49 14 14.7 % 12,465,730 3.1 % 3,034,949,748 1
1955 77,108,323 1.7 % 1,246,627 -10,800 19.1 6.43 13 11.7 % 9,005,486 3.0 % 2,773,019,936 1

Source: The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division provided an in-depth analysis of data in their report titled “World Population Prospects: The 2019 Revision” using the medium-fertility variant. 

Western Africa Population Future Forecast

Year Population Annual %
Change		 Annual
Change		 Migrants (net) Median Age Fertility Rate Density (P/Km²) Urban
Pop. %		 Urban Population Western Africa’s
Share of
World Pop.		 World Population Western Africa
Rank within
Africa
2020 401,861,254 2.7 % 10,028,724 -177,000 18.2 5.18 66 47.7 % 191,841,724 5.4 % 7,794,798,739 2
2025 456,742,208 2.59 % 10,976,191 -172,700 18.7 5.19 75 50.8 % 232,161,972 5.9 % 8,184,437,460 2
2030 516,632,942 2.49 % 11,978,147 -167,400 19.4 5.20 85 53.8 % 277,949,044 6.3 % 8,548,487,400 2
2035 581,280,434 2.39 % 12,929,498 -169,500 20.1 5.22 96 56.6 % 329,186,835 6.5 % 8,887,524,213 2
2040 650,103,365 2.26 % 13,764,586 -169,400 21.0 5.23 107 59.4 % 385,988,017 7.3 % 9,198,847,240 2
2045 722,177,162 2.13 % 14,414,759 -169,100 21.8 5.25 119 62.1 % 448,652,380 7.9 % 9,481,803,274 2
2050 796,494,190 1.98 % 14,863,406 -168,800 22.7 5.27 131 64.9 % 516,634,513 8.4 % 9,735,033,990 2

Source: The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division provided an in-depth analysis of data in their report titled “World Population Prospects: The 2019 Revision” using the medium-fertility variant. 

Understanding the Demographics of Western Africa: Key Terms Explained

Year: The time frame used to indicate the population data, specifically as of July 1 of the year provided.

Population: The total number of people in the sub-region, including all ages and genders, as estimated by the United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division.

Annual % Change: The percentage increase or decrease in the total population over the past year, calculated from July 1 of the previous year to June 30 of the current year. For all other years, it represents the average annual percentage change over the previous five-year period, assuming uniform changes.

Annual Change: The absolute increase or decrease in the total population over the past year, calculated from July 1 of the previous year to June 30 of the current year. For all other years, it represents the average annual numerical change over the last five-year period.

Migrants (net): The difference between the average annual number of immigrants and emigrants over the preceding five-year period or subsequent five-year period. A negative value indicates that there are more emigrants than immigrants.

Median Age: The age that divides the population into two equal numerical groups, with half of the population being older than the median age and the other half is younger. This provides insight into the age distribution of the population.

Fertility Rate: The average number of children that an average woman is expected to have during her reproductive years, typically from 15 to 49 years old, based on current fertility rates in each age group in Western African countries.

Density (P/Km²): The population density, or number of people per square kilometer, in Western Africa.

Urban Pop %: The percentage of the total population that lives in urban areas, as defined by each country.

Urban Population: The population in urban areas, as defined by each country.

Western Africa’s Share of World Pop: The percentage of Western Africa’s total population compared to the total world population as of July 1 of the year indicated.

World Population: The total population of the world as of July 1 of the year indicated.

Rank within Africa: The position of Western Africa in the list of all African regions ranked by population, from highest to lowest, as of July 1 of the year indicated.

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