Eastern Africa Population Pyramid 2026

Eastern Africa population pyramid

2026 · Share of total by five-year age group and sex

Medium projection

100+

95–99

90–94

85–89

80–84

75–79

70–74

65–69

60–64

55–59

50–54

45–49

40–44

35–39

30–34

25–29

20–24

15–19

10–14

5–9

0–4

Hover over or tap a bar to see exact values.

2026

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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.

Eastern Africa age structure

In 2026, children under 15 make up 39.9% of Eastern Africa’s projected population, compared with 3.1% aged 65 or older. The conventional working-age group, 15–64, accounts for 57.0%.

By 2050, the medium scenario places the population at 855,453,353—a 63% increase from 2026. The 65+ share is projected to reach 5.0%.

Births, deaths, and migration in Eastern Africa

The subregion is projected to record 16,527,606 births and 3,274,080 deaths in 2026, a natural increase of 13,253,526, with net migration of −291,209. Births outnumber deaths in every remaining year of the medium scenario through 2100. Between 2000 and 2023, cumulative net migration was −9,113,953.

Eastern Africa: births, deaths, and net migration per year

Annual values; dashed lines after 2023 are the UN medium projection.

Eastern Africa population, 1950–2100

Mid-year population for every year; the medium scenario reaches 855.5M in 2050.

Demographic contrasts within Eastern Africa

A regional pyramid is an aggregate, not a description of every country. The profiles within Eastern Africa range from a median age of 15.6 years in Somalia to 38.4 years in Réunion. Those age structures imply different balances of schools, working-age cohorts, and older-age services.

Largest population

Ethiopia has 138,902,185 people in the 2026 medium projection.

Youngest median age

Somalia has a median age of 15.6 years and 46.5% under 15.

Fastest 2026 growth

Somalia has projected annual growth of +3.2%.

Countries and areas in Eastern Africa

Rank	Country or area	2026 population	Median age	Under 15	65+
1	Ethiopia	138,902,185	19.3	38.5%	3.4%
2	Tanzania	72,563,780	17.6	42.1%	3.0%
3	Kenya	58,636,412	20.3	35.7%	3.1%
4	Uganda	52,761,470	17.1	42.7%	2.3%
5	Mozambique	36,639,850	16.6	43.9%	2.7%
6	Madagascar	33,522,052	19.4	38.6%	3.5%
7	Malawi	22,785,535	18.4	39.6%	2.6%
8	Zambia	22,521,915	18.2	40.5%	2.1%
9	Somalia	20,305,907	15.6	46.5%	2.6%
10	Zimbabwe	17,273,580	18.3	39.6%	3.5%
11	Rwanda	14,889,693	20.2	36.7%	4.1%
12	Burundi	14,729,157	16.6	43.2%	2.6%
13	South Sudan	12,436,037	19.0	37.1%	3.2%
14	Eritrea	3,682,669	19.5	37.1%	4.3%
15	Mauritius	1,265,059	38.3	14.3%	14.7%
16	Djibouti	1,199,459	25.2	28.5%	5.1%
17	Comoros	899,010	20.7	36.6%	4.4%
18	Réunion	886,298	38.4	20.2%	16.9%
19	Mayotte	347,536	17.3	42.1%	2.9%
20	Seychelles	134,959	34.6	19.6%	9.0%

Source and interpretation

Regional age groups and totals come directly from the UN WPP 2024 medium series. Country groupings follow the UN M49 regions and subregions used in the source; territories and statistical areas may appear separately. Projection results depend on future fertility, mortality, and migration assumptions.

Questions about Eastern Africa

What is the population of Eastern Africa in 2026?

The UN WPP 2024 medium scenario projects Eastern Africa's 2026 population at 526,382,563.

Which is the most populous country or area in Eastern Africa?

Ethiopia is the largest profile in this regional directory, with a projected 2026 population of 138,902,185.

Is Eastern Africa's population projected to grow by 2050?

The medium scenario shows a 62.5% increase between 2026 and 2050.