What We’re Showing
This map shows the UN’s projected change in national populations between 2025 and 2050 using its medium-fertility projection, which assumes gradual convergence of fertility and mortality trends worldwide.
The world is expected to add about 1.4 billion people in that window, with nearly all net growth concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa.
Key Takeaways
- The 10 fastest-growing countries are all in sub-Saharan Africa, led by the DRC at +83.4%, the Central African Republic at +92.6%, and Sudan at +64.9%.
- Several large advanced and post-Soviet economies are projected to shrink meaningfully, including China (-11%), Japan (-14.6%), Italy (-12.3%), South Korea (-12.6%), and Ukraine (-17.9%).
- India still grows (+14.7%) even as China contracts, cementing India’s position as the world’s most populous country through the entire 2025-2050 window.
