In 2022, the population density in Africa was 48.3 inhabitants per square kilometer. From 2000 onwards, the density of the population on the continent has increased annually. Moreover, the average number of people living within a square kilometer was expected to increase to around 54 by 2027. Mauritius, Rwanda, and Burundi were the African countries with the highest population density as of 2023.
Population density in Africa from 2000 to 2027
(inhabitants per square kilometer)
Characteristic
Number of inhabitants per square kilometer
2027
54.18
2026
52.97
2025
51.78
2024
50.59
2023
49.42
2022
48.28
2021
47.16
2020
46.05
2019
44.93
2018
43.83
2017
42.75
2016
41.69
2015
40.65
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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). (July 15, 2022). Population density in Africa from 2000 to 2027 (inhabitants per square kilometer) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved May 11, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1225875/population-density-in-africa/
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). "Population density in Africa from 2000 to 2027 (inhabitants per square kilometer)." Chart. July 15, 2022. Statista. Accessed May 11, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1225875/population-density-in-africa/
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). (2022). Population density in Africa from 2000 to 2027 (inhabitants per square kilometer). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: May 11, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1225875/population-density-in-africa/
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). "Population Density in Africa from 2000 to 2027 (Inhabitants per Square Kilometer)." Statista, Statista Inc., 15 Jul 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1225875/population-density-in-africa/
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), Population density in Africa from 2000 to 2027 (inhabitants per square kilometer) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1225875/population-density-in-africa/ (last visited May 11, 2025)
Population density in Africa from 2000 to 2027 (inhabitants per square kilometer) [Graph], United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), July 15, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1225875/population-density-in-africa/
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