Largest population
Democratic Republic of the Congo has 116,452,162 people in the 2026 medium projection.
Middle Africa population pyramid 2026
226,082,168 people in 2026 (projected), a UN subregion of Africa with 9 countries and areas.
- 2026 population
- 226.1Mmedium projection
- Median age
- 16.5 years
- Under age 15
- 44.5%
- Age 65+
- 2.9%
Middle Africa population pyramid
2026 · Share of total by five-year age group and sex
Medium projection
Middle Africa population pyramid for 2026: males on the left and females on the right
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.
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.
Middle Africa age structure
In 2026, children under 15 make up 44.5% of Middle Africa’s projected population, compared with 2.9% aged 65 or older. The conventional working-age group, 15–64, accounts for 52.6%.
By 2050, the medium scenario places the population at 411,712,069—a 82% increase from 2026. The 65+ share is projected to reach 3.8%.
Births, deaths, and migration in Middle Africa
The subregion is projected to record 8,585,114 births and 1,798,373 deaths in 2026, a natural increase of 6,786,741, with net migration of −179,251. Births outnumber deaths in every remaining year of the medium scenario through 2100. Between 2000 and 2023, cumulative net migration was +2,708,256.
Annual values; dashed lines after 2023 are the UN medium projection.
Mid-year population for every year; the medium scenario reaches 411.7M in 2050.
Demographic contrasts within Middle Africa
A regional pyramid is an aggregate, not a description of every country. The profiles within Middle Africa range from a median age of 14.6 years in Central African Republic to 21.6 years in Gabon. Those age structures imply different balances of schools, working-age cohorts, and older-age services.
Youngest median age
Central African Republic has a median age of 14.6 years and 48.2% under 15.
Fastest 2026 growth
Central African Republic has projected annual growth of +3.3%.
Countries and areas in Middle Africa
| Rank | Country or area | 2026 population | Median age | Under 15 | 65+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 116,452,162 | 15.9 | 45.8% | 3.1% |
| 2 | Angola | 40,215,180 | 16.7 | 43.8% | 2.9% |
| 3 | Cameroon | 30,640,817 | 18.2 | 40.8% | 2.8% |
| 4 | Chad | 21,560,380 | 15.7 | 46.0% | 2.1% |
| 5 | Republic of the Congo | 6,637,786 | 18.7 | 39.4% | 3.1% |
| 6 | Central African Republic | 5,698,984 | 14.6 | 48.2% | 2.2% |
| 7 | Gabon | 2,647,400 | 21.6 | 35.9% | 4.2% |
| 8 | Equatorial Guinea | 1,984,468 | 20.9 | 36.9% | 3.9% |
| 9 | Sao Tome and Principe | 244,994 | 19.7 | 37.2% | 4.0% |
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 Middle Africa
What is the population of Middle Africa in 2026?
The UN WPP 2024 medium scenario projects Middle Africa's 2026 population at 226,082,168.
Which is the most populous country or area in Middle Africa?
Democratic Republic of the Congo is the largest profile in this regional directory, with a projected 2026 population of 116,452,162.
Is Middle Africa's population projected to grow by 2050?
The medium scenario shows a 82.1% increase between 2026 and 2050.