30 Countries With The Youngest Populations In The World

While a ‘graying’ of the population is occurring in such countries as Japan, Greece and Finland, other parts of the world, especially much of Africa, are experiencing the a quite different trend. The contrast that exists between the oldest and youngest populations of the world is rather stark. In Japan, known to have the world’s largest oldest population, only 13% of its citizens are under 15. The situation in Niger has been found to be the opposite, with a full 56.9% of its population under 18 years old, the highest percentage of citizens within that category of any nation in the world. An analysis of the youngest populations in the world, and forecasts for future changes, has been presented by the United Nations (UN). The UN data leads us to look at Africa as the continent where countries have more people under 18 than on any other continent in the world. What’s worse is that the youth population on the African continent is projected to double by 2050, which will place more and more stress on already strained resources for the region.

The Two Countries with the Youngest Populations

Statistics reveal that Niger has the highest percentage of individuals aged 18 or younger, with 56.9% of its population falling into this category. This skewed age demographic is linked to cultural preferences for larger families and limited access to contraceptives. The average woman in Niger has about 8 children. This surge in the youth population poses significant challenges as the country struggles with deepening poverty. Following Niger is Uganda, where 55% of the population is under 18. Similar factors—limited contraceptive access and a tendency for larger families—drive this demographic trend. Added to these issues is the high youth unemployment rate in Uganda. If these trends continue, the combination of rapid population growth and youth unemployment could heavily strain Uganda’s resources.

Other Countries to Make the List

Next on this list is Chad, where 54.6% of the population is under 18 years old. As one of the world's poorest countries, its rapidly growing youth population presents a major challenge. The reasons for Chad's large youth demographic include low levels of education for women, women’s lack of control over reproductive decisions, and limited access to effective family planning services. As a landlocked nation, Chad has a life expectancy of only 51.18 years, with employed individuals earning around a modest $1,621 annually. It’s important to recognize that high unemployment is also a significant issue the country needs to address so that this large young population can help drive Chad’s future development.

Other countries with the highest percentages of citizens under 18 include Angola, Mali, Somalia, Gambia, and Zambia. These African nations have youth populations of 54.3%, 54.1%, 53.6%, 52.8%, and 52.6%, respectively. In many of these countries, common factors driving these high youth percentages include lack of education, limited access to effective birth control, and a tendency toward larger families. The only non-African country close to the top is Afghanistan, with a youth population of 51.4%.

A Global Issue that Warrants Attention

The rise in youth populations in the countries mentioned is a significant issue that will likely worsen. Adding to this problem, poverty and unemployment remain widespread, making the large under-18 demographic even more challenging, as fewer resources will be available for them as they enter adulthood. To address these issues, governments need to improve access to education and birth control and encourage their citizens to reconsider cultural norms around family size and planning. Additionally, these young people will need jobs and economic opportunities as they mature. As their populations continue to grow, simply redistributing existing wealth will no longer be sufficient.

Countries With The Highest Percentage Of Population Under 18 Years Old