Africa Eastern and Southern Population 2026
As of 2025, the population of Eastern and Southern Africa stands at 769,280,888. This region, as defined by the World Bank, encompasses a diverse group of nations experiencing rapid demographic change. The latest figures highlight a population growing at a 1-year rate of 2.50%.
Population Trend
Overview
Eastern and Southern Africa is one of the fastest-growing regions in the world, with a current population of over 769 million. The 1-year growth rate of 2.50% reflects sustained high fertility rates and declining mortality, though it is slightly below the region's 10-year average growth of 2.67%. This deceleration may signal early stages of demographic transition, but the region remains youthful, with a median age well below the global average. The World Bank's aggregate data for this area includes countries from the Horn of Africa to the southern tip of the continent, encompassing both landlocked and coastal states. Rapid urbanization, coupled with ongoing challenges in healthcare and education, continues to shape population dynamics. The 10-year average growth rate of 2.67% underscores the region's long-term trajectory of expansion, which has significant implications for infrastructure, resource allocation, and economic planning. While the 2025 population of 769,280,888 represents a substantial increase from previous decades, the slight dip in the annual growth rate suggests that family planning efforts and other demographic shifts may be gradually taking effect.