Africa
58 countries and areas
1.58B projected in 2026 · median age 19.5
38.4% under 15 · 3.8% age 65+
Population pyramids by world region
Global averages hide the biggest demographic contrasts. Explore six UN geographic regions, their 21 subregions, and the countries that shape them.
Estimate or projection?
The UN series provides historical estimates through 2023. Figures from 2024 onward—including 2026—are medium-scenario projections, not counts or predictions guaranteed to occur.
Asia
51 countries and areas
4.86B projected in 2026 · median age 32.8
21.8% under 15 · 10.5% age 65+
Europe
50 countries and areas
743.5M projected in 2026 · median age 43.1
14.8% under 15 · 21.4% age 65+
Latin America and the Caribbean
50 countries and areas
672.1M projected in 2026 · median age 32.1
21.8% under 15 · 10.5% age 65+
Northern America
5 countries and areas
389.6M projected in 2026 · median age 38.9
16.7% under 15 · 19.0% age 65+
Oceania
23 countries and areas
47.1M projected in 2026 · median age 33.6
22.0% under 15 · 14.1% age 65+
| Region | Population | Median age | Under 15 | Age 65+ | Change to 2050 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Africa | 1,584,985,259 | 19.5 | 38.4% | 3.8% | +55.6% |
| Asia | 4,863,327,398 | 32.8 | 21.8% | 10.5% | +8.6% |
| Europe | 743,482,362 | 43.1 | 14.8% | 21.4% | -5.4% |
| Latin America and the Caribbean | 672,135,561 | 32.1 | 21.8% | 10.5% | +8.6% |
| Northern America | 389,628,823 | 38.9 | 16.7% | 19.0% | +9.5% |
| Oceania | 47,118,993 | 33.6 | 22.0% | 14.1% | +22.4% |
Population pyramids by subregion
The 21 UN subregions separate places that regional averages combine, such as Northern and Middle Africa or Eastern and Southern Europe.
| Subregion | Region | Countries | Population | Median age | Under 15 | Age 65+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Africa | Africa | 20 | 526,382,563 | 18.5 | 39.9% | 3.1% |
| Middle Africa | Africa | 9 | 226,082,168 | 16.5 | 44.5% | 2.9% |
| Northern Africa | Africa | 7 | 280,740,471 | 25.1 | 31.1% | 6.0% |
| Southern Africa | Africa | 5 | 74,868,913 | 28.1 | 26.6% | 6.7% |
| Western Africa | Africa | 17 | 476,911,144 | 18.4 | 40.1% | 3.1% |
| Central Asia | Asia | 5 | 84,923,544 | 26.8 | 31.3% | 6.7% |
| Eastern Asia | Asia | 8 | 1,648,245,779 | 41.5 | 14.4% | 16.5% |
| South-Eastern Asia | Asia | 11 | 704,755,916 | 31.2 | 23.0% | 8.7% |
| Southern Asia | Asia | 9 | 2,106,270,434 | 27.8 | 25.9% | 7.1% |
| Western Asia | Asia | 18 | 319,131,725 | 27.7 | 27.1% | 6.4% |
| Eastern Europe | Europe | 10 | 283,704,971 | 41.7 | 15.6% | 19.3% |
| Northern Europe | Europe | 14 | 109,963,731 | 40.6 | 16.4% | 20.3% |
| Southern Europe | Europe | 17 | 150,318,615 | 46.8 | 12.4% | 23.8% |
| Western Europe | Europe | 9 | 199,495,044 | 43.8 | 14.8% | 23.1% |
| Caribbean | Latin America and the Caribbean | 28 | 44,783,001 | 32.7 | 21.9% | 11.7% |
| Central America | Latin America and the Caribbean | 8 | 186,868,130 | 28.9 | 24.8% | 8.2% |
| South America | Latin America and the Caribbean | 14 | 440,484,432 | 33.5 | 20.5% | 11.4% |
| Australia/New Zealand | Oceania | 2 | 32,514,575 | 38.4 | 17.5% | 18.4% |
| Melanesia | Oceania | 5 | 13,383,874 | 23.3 | 32.4% | 4.1% |
| Micronesia | Oceania | 7 | 530,518 | 26.7 | 29.1% | 8.7% |
| Polynesia | Oceania | 9 | 690,028 | 27.9 | 27.5% | 9.5% |
Why compare regions?
A world population pyramid combines places at very different stages of demographic change. Regional views make the contrast clearer: a youthful age structure can drive decades of momentum, while a narrow base and wider top can indicate rapid ageing.
Regional totals are aggregates published by the UN, not sums calculated from only the country profiles displayed here. Country and area classifications follow the dataset and are provided for navigation.
For a direct pair, use the country comparison tool. For interpretation, start with how to read a population pyramid.