Building Futures: Education in a Rapidly Growing Africa

With over 1.4 billion inhabitants, Africa is currently the second most populous continent in the world, a result of decades of rapid demographic growth. However, this dynamic varies significantly across regions. While Sub-Saharan Africa has an average fertility rate of 4.5 children per woman, North Africa is undergoing a notable demographic transition, with a rate of around 2.8 children per woman. These disparities reflect diverse economic and social realities, requiring each region to adapt its policies to address the challenges of this growth.

According to recent United Nations projections, by 2050, Africa will host more than a quarter of the world’s population. Sub-Saharan Africa, in particular, will be at the heart of this expansion, accounting for nearly half of global population growth. With a median age of just 19.2 years, the continent’s workforce is growing rapidly, gradually reducing the dependency ratio. While this situation opens unprecedented development opportunities, it also carries significant risks, such as rising unemployment and social tensions, if massive investments in training and job creation are not made.