In some parts of the world, the population is growing older, while on the other hand, some countries have the youngest populations. The world’s population is more than three times larger than it was in the mid-twentieth century, as per the report by United Nations.
The world’s population is expected to increase by nearly two billion people in the next 30 years, from the current eight billion to 9.7 billion in 2050 and could peak at nearly 10.4 billion in the mid-2080s, the report added.
Let’s take a look at the countries with the youngest populations in the world, according to a report by WorldAtlas.
Niger (56.9 percent people under 18 years old)
Niger is an emerging democracy landlocked in the Sahel, an increasingly unstable region facing numerous threats such as terrorism and climate change. Despite economic growth driven by the expansion of extractive industries, and recent progress in reducing poverty, broad-based development has been hampered by poor infrastructure, extremely low education levels, and multiple concurrent climatic shocks such as droughts and floods. Economic progress is being further challenged by the highest fertility rate in the world (seven children per woman), which is set to double the population size over the next 20 years. These hurdles, coupled with the increasing presence of violence, crime, and extremism, particularly along the border regions with neighboring Mali, Burkina Faso and Nigeria, put Niger at risk of a reversal of its recent development gains. Niger is also grappling with a significant influx of refugees fleeing conflicts in the region, particularly in Nigeria and Mali.
Uganda (55 percent people under 18 years old)
Uganda is in the midst of a demographic tsunami — with its population doubling every 16 years. This exacerbates an already high rate of youth unemployment and amplifies pressures on social, natural and other resources. USAID began its assistance to Uganda immediately after its independence in 1962, recognizing the country’s potential as a ‘bread basket’ of Africa, with its rich natural resources and significant rural population. Priorities have evolved over the past five decades, and the agency remains committed to improving Ugandans’ livelihoods. With three integrated development objectives — increasing resilience, addressing demographic drivers, and strengthening systems — USAID works in partnership with the people of Uganda to address the fundamental challenges constraining the country’s development.
Chad (54.6 percent people under 18 years old)
Chad is consistently ranked as one of the five poorest countries in the world by the Annual United Nations Human Development Report. The measure of the country’s underdevelopment is staggering. Only about 6 percent of the population has access to electricity, and only 8 percent has access to basic sanitation. Adult literacy is 22 percent. Life expectancy is only 53 years. Around three-quarters of all births take place without the attendance of a skilled health professional. The country has nonetheless made some progress, for example, by reducing the maternal mortality rate by more than 20 percent since 2005. And while half of the population lives in extreme poverty, Chad provides asylum and allows humanitarian relief to 480,000 refugees and almost 300,000 internally displaced people. Chad is a young country: 65 percent of the population is under 25 years of age – the median age is 16.8 years.
Angola (54.3 percent people under 18 years old)
Angola’s low level of human development is at odds with its potential for economic prosperity, considering the country’s wealth of natural resources. Much of this paradox is explained by the social disruption and physical destruction caused by 27 years of civil war. As sub-Saharan Africa’s second largest oil producer and with its tremendous agricultural potential, the country could become a powerhouse for regional trade and investment.
Mali (54.1 percent people under 18 years old)
Mali is a landlocked country with nearly half of the highly dispersed population living in extreme poverty. Approximately 60 percent of people live in rural areas and most Malians work in agriculture. Economic activity is concentrated near the Niger River and 65 percent of the total land area is desert or semidesert. The country’s location and dependence on agriculture make it particularly vulnerable to conflict and environmental variability.
Somalia (53.6 percent people under 18 years old)
Since 1991, Somalia has experienced chronic food insecurity, widespread violence, and recurring droughts and floods. The social costs have been enormous, leaving Somalia with some of the lowest human development indicators in the world. Sustained life-saving assistance, coupled with interventions aimed at strengthening local governance, creating lasting peace, and building resilience, are critical to help Somali communities and reach the most vulnerable. Despite the many challenges, Somalis are forging a promising path forward. USAID supports Somalia’s aspirations for durable stability, democracy and prosperity. USAID works to prevent and counter violent extremism and to build resilience to mitigate chronic humanitarian needs.
Read more: Most populated cities in the world in 2024
Gambia (52.8 percent people under 18 years old)
Gambia is a West African country surrounded by Senegal. It’s the smallest country on the mainland of Africa with a population of just over two million, of which up to a tenth live abroad for work. Remittances from these expatriates contribute more than 20 percent of GDP. Tourism normally accounts for a third of the economy but the COVID-19 pandemic devastated the sector.
Zambia (52.6 percent people under 18 years old)
For the decade ending in 2011, Zambia was one of the world’s fastest growing economies and achieved lower-middle income nation status. Since 2011, Zambia’s economic development has consistently declined and it is currently ranked fourth in the world in income inequality. Other challenges also hinder Zambia’s development progress including a lack of political and economic diversification, low primary education outcomes, high external debt, a degradation of natural resources, and a heavy disease burden. Through USAID, the U.S. government is supporting Zambia on its path to address these and other challenges. With a vibrant youth population and engaged private sector and civil society, Zambia has the potential to build upon the advances made in early-grade education and literacy, and once again serve as a beacon of sub-Saharan democracy with an engaged citizenry and improved sub-national governance and private sector-led growth and development.
Democratic Republic of the Congo (52.6 percent people under 18 years old)
Because of its size, natural resource, and geo-political importance, the DRC has the potential to become a top contributor to African economic growth and stability. Strategically located at the center of the African continent and sharing borders with nine countries, the DRC is the second largest country in Africa with the fourth largest population. Its unparalleled natural resource wealth includes cobalt, copper, gold, tantalum, tin, diamonds, petroleum and water. However, corruption, weak institutions and a lack of human capacity and basic infrastructure have impeded development. Since DRC’s independence in 1960, USAID has partnered with the government and people to improve Congolese citizens’ quality of life, increase the effectiveness of national institutions, and strengthen the foundation for durable peace in eastern DRC.
Burkina Faso (52.3 percent people under 18 years old)
Burkina Faso is a low-income Sahelian country with limited natural resources. Its economy is based on agriculture and mining, particularly gold. More than 40 percent of the population lives below the national poverty line. Burkina Faso ranks 184th out of 191 countries in the 2021–2022 HDI report of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Challenges of having young population
Here are some of the challenges:
High dependency ratio: If a significant proportion of the population consists of individuals below the school leaving age, it results in a high dependency ratio. This places a burden on the working-age population to support and provide for the younger population, potentially straining resources and reducing the availability of funds for other purposes such as infrastructure or healthcare.
Education and training needs: A young population requires substantial investments in education and training programs to develop their skills and capabilities. This investment may divert resources from other sectors, presenting an opportunity cost and requiring careful planning and allocation of resources.
Inexperience and lower productivity: Young workers may have limited work experience and may require additional training and development to reach their full potential. This may temporarily impact their productivity levels and require investment in skill-building initiatives.
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