The 10 Least Populated Countries in Africa

Comoros, Cape Verde, Sao Tome and Principe, and Seychelles are among the least populated African countries.

As a continent, Africa has over 1 billion people. However, the number is likely higher, with other countries experiencing fast population growth and bearing in mind that some of the censuses were done almost a decade ago. Liberia, for instance, had its last census in 2008 with Libya having had two years before.

The 10 Least Populated Countries in Africa

10. Lesotho - 1,908,000

Based on latest UN estimates, the Kingdom of Lesotho has approximately 1.9 million people. Out of this, 49.2% of the population is male and 50.8% of the population is female.

9. Gabon - 1,873,000

The last population census in Gabon showed a population of just over 1.8 million people. This is equivalent to 0.03% of the world’s total population.

8. Guinea-Bissau - 1,788,000

Guinea-Bissau has a population of just under 2 million. Although Guinea-Bissau is home to a number of cash crops, such as coconuts and brazil nuts, the country's economy is often in shambles, making it one of the poorest countries in the world.

7. Mauritius - 1,263,000

The island nation of Mauritius is home to around 1.26 million. In 2010, 21.9% of the population of Mauritius was under the age of 15.

6. Swaziland - 1,119,00

Swaziland has a population of just over one million. Despite this small population, the country has seen considerable growth in population over recent decades.

5. Djibouti - 961,000

Djibouti has a population of 961,000, making it the fifth least populated country in Africa. The majority of these residents live in and around the capital city of Djibouti City.

4. Comoros - 783,000

The population of the island nation of Comoros represents less than 0.01% of the world's population. The country's most populated island is Nzwani.

3. Cape Verde - 525,000

The current Cape Verde population is 525,000. This is an increase from the June 2016 census tally, which was 491,875 people. The majority of the population of Cape Verdeans live on the island of Santiago. More people of Cape Verdean descent live outside of the islands than people who live within the islands.

2. Sao Tome & Principe - 194,000

The population of Sao Tome and Principe is 194,000 people, making it the second least populated country in Africa. The island of Sao Tome is much more populated than the island of Principe.

1. Seychelles - 97,000

Seychelles is the least populated country in Africa, with a population of only 97,000 people. Of these, 51.1% are men while 48.9% are women. Seychelles comes 17th place in terms of the world’s least populated countries.

Conclusion

This list only includes sovereign countries and not dependent territories

What is the Least Populated Country in Africa?

The 10 Least Populated Countries in Africa

Rank	Country	Population
1	Seychelles	97,000
2	Sao Tome and Principe	194,000
3	Cape Verde	525,000
4	Comoros	783,000
5	Djibouti	961,000
6	Swaziland	1,119,000
7	Mauritius	1,263,000
8	Guinea-Bissau	1,788,000
9	Gabon	1,873,000
10	Lesotho	1,908,000