Nicholas Eberstadt is a Henry Wendt Chair in Political Economy at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative center-right think tank that aims to explore and research in critical issues like poverty, education, and foreign defense. In his October 2024 article in Foreign Affairs, he writes that the world is facing what he calls “the age of depopulation.” Eberstadt argues that our society as we know it is in crisis. For the first time since the Black Death, the world population is falling — due, in part, to falling birth rates. In fact, the global birth rate has fallen significantly. Many women are now choosing to prioritize their jobs over family-planning, the cost of living is rising, and many couples are concerned about the potential future impact of political policies and climate change on our world’s livelihood. As such, current estimates for the future birth rate also continue to fall. (When it comes to population, East Asia is facing a disaster it can’t fix.)
But while low birth rates and an aging population are something that many countries are facing, others are not. Some countries have high birth rates and low life span expectations. In these countries, the population is run by the young people — with the age of a typical resident ranges from 20.8 years to just 15.2 years. Countries where the population is youngest also usually have other factors in common, such as being more impoverished and having more widespread violence. Using the latest available data from the CIA World Factbook, 24/7 Wall St. identified the youngest countries on Earth. We reviewed the median age in 193 countries and ranked the 30 with the youngest populations. All supplemental data is from the World Bank and is also for the most recent available year.
Why It Matters
Many of the wealthiest and most developed countries in the world have been reporting falling birth rates for decades. Now, global population growth is largly being driven by some of the world’s poorest countries — often places that are suffering through armed conflict. With high birthrates and low life expectancies resulting from violence and lower standards of living, there are many countries where most of the population are 20 years old or younger.
Check out the youngest countries on Earth:
30. Rwanda
- Median age in 2024: 20.8 years
- Child dependency ratio: 66 people under age 15 per 100 working-age people
- The fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 3.8 children per woman over a lifetime
- Avg. life expectancy at birth: 66.1 years
- 10-yr. population change, 2013-2022: +24.1% (+2,675,348 people)
- Total population in 2022: 13,776,698
- GDP in 2022: $13.3 billion ($966 per capita)
- Region: Africa
29. Togo
- Median age in 2024: 20.7 years
- Child dependency ratio: 70 people under age 15 per 100 working-age people
- The fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 4.3 children per woman over a lifetime
- Avg. life expectancy at birth: 61.6 years
- 10-yr. population change, 2013-2022: +24.5% (+1,742,470 people)
- Total population in 2022: 8,848,699
- GDP in 2022: $8.3 billion ($943 per capita)
- Region: Africa
28. Republic of the Congo
- Median age in 2024: 20.7 years
- Child dependency ratio: 73 people under age 15 per 100 working-age people
- The fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 4.2 children per woman over a lifetime
- Avg. life expectancy at birth: 63.5 years
- 10-yr. population change, 2013-2022: +23.7% (+1,142,358 people)
- Total population in 2022: 5,970,424
- GDP in 2022: $15.8 billion ($2,649 per capita)
- Region: Africa
27. Central African Republic
- Median age in 2024: 20.4 years
- Child dependency ratio: 98 people under age 15 per 100 working-age people
- The fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 6.0 children per woman over a lifetime
- Avg. life expectancy at birth: 53.9 years
- 10-yr. population change, 2013-2022: +16.2% (+776,716 people)
- Total population in 2022: 5,579,144
- GDP in 2022: $2.4 billion ($427 per capita)
- Region: Africa
26. Ethiopia
- Median age in 2024: 20.4 years
- Child dependency ratio: 69 people under age 15 per 100 working-age people
- The fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 4.2 children per woman over a lifetime
- Avg. life expectancy at birth: 65.0 years
- 10-yr. population change, 2013-2022: +27.1% (+26,295,558 people)
- Total population in 2022: 123,379,924
- GDP in 2022: $126.8 billion ($1,028 per capita)
- Region: Africa
25. Malawi
- Median age in 2024: 20.3 years
- Child dependency ratio: 78 people under age 15 per 100 working-age people
- The fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 3.9 children per woman over a lifetime
- Avg. life expectancy at birth: 62.9 years
- 10-yr. population change, 2013-2022: +27.3% (+4,380,542 people)
- Total population in 2022: 20,405,317
- GDP in 2022: $13.2 billion ($645 per capita)
- Region: Africa
24. The Gambia
- Median age in 2024: 20.2 years
- Child dependency ratio: 79 people under age 15 per 100 working-age people
- The fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 4.7 children per woman over a lifetime
- Avg. life expectancy at birth: 62.1 years
- 10-yr. population change, 2013-2022: +27.3% (+581,123 people)
- Total population in 2022: 2,705,992
- GDP in 2022: $2.2 billion ($808 per capita)
- Region: Africa
23. Afghanistan
- Median age in 2024: 20.0 years
- Child dependency ratio: 79 people under age 15 per 100 working-age people
- The fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 4.6 children per woman over a lifetime
- Avg. life expectancy at birth: 62.0 years
- 10-yr. population change, 2013-2022: +30.4% (+9,587,562 people)
- Total population in 2022: 41,128,771
- GDP in 2021: $14.3 billion ($356 per capita)
- Region: South Asia
22. Liberia
- Median age in 2024: 19.9 years
- Child dependency ratio: 72 people under age 15 per 100 working-age people
- The fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 4.1 children per woman over a lifetime
- Avg. life expectancy at birth: 60.7 years
- 10-yr. population change, 2013-2022: +19.8% (+875,368 people)
- Total population in 2022: 5,302,681
- GDP in 2022: $4.0 billion ($755 per capita)
- Region: Africa
21. Guinea
- Median age in 2024: 19.4 years
- Child dependency ratio: 75 people under age 15 per 100 working-age people
- The fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 4.4 children per woman over a lifetime
- Avg. life expectancy at birth: 58.9 years
- 10-yr. population change, 2013-2022: +25.4% (+2,803,911 people)
- Total population in 2022: 13,859,341
- GDP in 2022: $21.0 billion ($1,515 per capita)
- Region: Africa
20. Sierra Leone
- Median age in 2024: 19.4 years
- Child dependency ratio: 67 people under age 15 per 100 working-age people
- The fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 4.0 children per woman over a lifetime
- Avg. life expectancy at birth: 60.1 years
- 10-yr. population change, 2013-2022: +23.6% (+1,640,859 people)
- Total population in 2022: 8,605,718
- GDP in 2022: $4.1 billion ($476 per capita)
- Region: Africa
19. Nigeria
- Median age in 2024: 19.3 years
- Child dependency ratio: 80 people under age 15 per 100 working-age people
- The fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 5.2 children per woman over a lifetime
- Avg. life expectancy at birth: 52.7 years
- 10-yr. population change, 2013-2022: +25.1% (+43,815,089 people)
- Total population in 2022: 218,541,212
- GDP in 2022: $472.6 billion ($2,163 per capita)
- Region: Africa
18. Sudan
- Median age in 2024: 19.3 years
- Child dependency ratio: 74 people under age 15 per 100 working-age people
- The fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 4.5 children per woman over a lifetime
- Avg. life expectancy at birth: 65.3 years
- 10-yr. population change, 2013-2022: +30.2% (+10,883,500 people)
- Total population in 2022: 46,874,204
- GDP in 2022: $51.7 billion ($1,102 per capita)
- Region: Africa
17. Senegal
- Median age in 2024: 19.2 years
- Child dependency ratio: 75 people under age 15 per 100 working-age people
- The fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 4.4 children per woman over a lifetime
- Avg. life expectancy at birth: 67.1 years
- 10-yr. population change, 2013-2022: +27.4% (+3,720,883 people)
- Total population in 2022: 17,316,449
- GDP in 2022: $27.7 billion ($1,599 per capita)
- Region: Africa
16. Tanzania
- Median age in 2024: 19.1 years
- Child dependency ratio: 81 people under age 15 per 100 working-age people
- The fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 4.7 children per woman over a lifetime
- Avg. life expectancy at birth: 66.2 years
- 10-yr. population change, 2013-2022: +33.0% (+16,244,105 people)
- Total population in 2022: 65,497,748
- GDP in 2022: $75.7 billion ($1,193 per capita)
- Region: Africa
15. Somalia
- Median age in 2024: 19.1 years
- Child dependency ratio: 94 people under age 15 per 100 working-age people
- The fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 6.3 children per woman over a lifetime
- Avg. life expectancy at birth: 55.3 years
- 10-yr. population change, 2013-2022: +36.9% (+4,745,026 people)
- Total population in 2022: 17,597,511
- GDP in 2022: $10.4 billion ($592 per capita)
- Region: Africa
14. Cameroon
- Median age in 2024: 18.9 years
- Child dependency ratio: 77 people under age 15 per 100 working-age people
- The fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 4.5 children per woman over a lifetime
- Avg. life expectancy at birth: 60.3 years
- 10-yr. population change, 2013-2022: +29.0% (+6,281,686 people)
- Total population in 2022: 27,914,536
- GDP in 2022: $43.6 billion ($1,563 per capita)
- Region: Africa
13. South Sudan
- Median age in 2024: 18.7 years
- Child dependency ratio: 82 people under age 15 per 100 working-age people
- The fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 4.5 children per woman over a lifetime
- Avg. life expectancy at birth: 55.0 years
- 10-yr. population change, 2013-2022: -1.7% (-192,867 people)
- Total population in 2022: 10,913,164
- GDP: N/A
- Region: Africa
12. Burkina Faso
- Median age in 2024: 18.7 years
- Child dependency ratio: 81 people under age 15 per 100 working-age people
- The fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 4.8 children per woman over a lifetime
- Avg. life expectancy at birth: 59.3 years
- 10-yr. population change, 2013-2022: +28.6% (+5,037,354 people)
- Total population in 2022: 22,673,762
- GDP in 2022: $18.8 billion ($830 per capita)
- Region: Africa
11. Zambia
- Median age in 2024: 18.4 years
- Child dependency ratio: 77 people under age 15 per 100 working-age people
- The fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 4.3 children per woman over a lifetime
- Avg. life expectancy at birth: 61.2 years
- 10-yr. population change, 2013-2022: +31.4% (+4,782,699 people)
- Total population in 2022: 20,017,675
- GDP in 2022: $29.2 billion ($1,457 per capita)
- Region: Africa
10. Burundi
- Median age in 2024: 18.4 years
- Child dependency ratio: 89 people under age 15 per 100 working-age people
- The fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 5.1 children per woman over a lifetime
- Avg. life expectancy at birth: 61.7 years
- 10-yr. population change, 2013-2022: +27.0% (+2,739,999 people)
- Total population in 2022: 12,889,576
- GDP in 2022: $3.3 billion ($259 per capita)
- Region: Africa
9. Guinea-Bissau
- Median age in 2024: 18.4 years
- Child dependency ratio: 70 people under age 15 per 100 working-age people
- The fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 4.0 children per woman over a lifetime
- Avg. life expectancy at birth: 59.7 years
- 10-yr. population change, 2013-2022: +24.0% (+407,813 people)
- Total population in 2022: 2,105,566
- GDP in 2022: $1.6 billion ($776 per capita)
- Region: Africa
8. Mozambique
- Median age in 2024: 17.3 years
- Child dependency ratio: 81 people under age 15 per 100 working-age people
- The fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 4.6 children per woman over a lifetime
- Avg. life expectancy at birth: 59.3 years
- 10-yr. population change, 2013-2022: +30.6% (+7,717,787 people)
- Total population in 2022: 32,969,518
- GDP in 2022: $18.4 billion ($558 per capita)
- Region: Africa
7. Benin
- Median age in 2024: 17.2 years
- Child dependency ratio: 78 people under age 15 per 100 working-age people
- The fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 5.0 children per woman over a lifetime
- Avg. life expectancy at birth: 59.8 years
- 10-yr. population change, 2013-2022: +29.5% (+3,044,134 people)
- Total population in 2022: 13,352,864
- GDP in 2022: $17.4 billion ($1,303 per capita)
- Region: Africa
6. Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Median age in 2024: 16.9 years
- Child dependency ratio: 92 people under age 15 per 100 working-age people
- The fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 6.2 children per woman over a lifetime
- Avg. life expectancy at birth: 59.2 years
- 10-yr. population change, 2013-2022: +34.8% (+25,550,191 people)
- Total population in 2022: 99,010,212
- GDP in 2022: $64.7 billion ($654 per capita)
- Region: Africa
5. Chad
- Median age in 2024: 16.7 years
- Child dependency ratio: 94 people under age 15 per 100 working-age people
- The fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 6.3 children per woman over a lifetime
- Avg. life expectancy at birth: 52.5 years
- 10-yr. population change, 2013-2022: +34.1% (+4,506,549 people)
- Total population in 2022: 17,723,315
- GDP in 2022: $12.7 billion ($717 per capita)
- Region: Africa
4. Mali
- Median age in 2024: 16.4 years
- Child dependency ratio: 94 people under age 15 per 100 working-age people
- The fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 6.0 children per woman over a lifetime
- Avg. life expectancy at birth: 58.9 years
- 10-yr. population change, 2013-2022: +32.9% (+5,589,557 people)
- Total population in 2022: 22,593,590
- GDP in 2022: $18.8 billion ($833 per capita)
- Region: Africa
3. Angola
- Median age in 2024: 16.3 years
- Child dependency ratio: 86 people under age 15 per 100 working-age people
- The fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 5.3 children per woman over a lifetime
- Avg. life expectancy at birth: 61.6 years
- 10-yr. population change, 2013-2022: +36.1% (+9,441,985 people)
- Total population in 2022: 35,588,987
- GDP in 2022: $106.8 billion ($3,000 per capita)
- Region: Africa
2. Uganda
- Median age in 2024: 16.2 years
- Child dependency ratio: 84 people under age 15 per 100 working-age people
- The fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 4.6 children per woman over a lifetime
- Avg. life expectancy at birth: 62.7 years
- 10-yr. population change, 2013-2022: +34.0% (+11,976,015 people)
- Total population in 2022: 47,249,585
- GDP in 2022: $45.6 billion ($964 per capita)
- Region: Africa
1. Niger
- Median age in 2024: 15.2 years
- Child dependency ratio: 100 people under age 15 per 100 working-age people
- The fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 6.8 children per woman over a lifetime
- Avg. life expectancy at birth: 61.6 years
- 10-yr. population change, 2013-2022: +40.5% (+7,554,778 people)
- Total population in 2022: 26,207,977
- GDP in 2022: $15.3 billion ($585 per capita)
- Region: Africa
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