–– Evan Cantrell

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.
Africa’s population has boomed over the last few decades, and is on track to be the world’s most populous continent by the 2070s.
The Pew Research Centre recently published an article highlighting five facts about Africa’s population growth:
- Since 1950, Africa’s population has grown more than sixfold – an increase of approximately 1.3 billion people. Africa’s current population is 1.5 billion people, and is projected to reach between 2.7 billion and 5.2 billion by the end of the century.
- Africa also has a growing share of the world’s young people. Currently, 28% of all people under 25 live in Africa. By the end of the century, it is projected to reach 46%.
- By the end of the century, Africa is expected to have 12 of the world’s 25 most populated countries, compared to only 6 at present. Nigeria is expected to remain the highest at 4th place, with South Africa falling from 24th to 25th worldwide.
- The fourth fact is frightening. Africa is the only world region where overall fertility remains above replacement levels. The overall fertility rate is approximately 3.9 births per woman, above the global replacement level of approximately 2.1 births per woman. That rate is down sharply from a peak of 6.7 births per woman in 1972, and is projected to decline to 2.8 by 2050, meaning that while Africa’s population will continue to grow, it will do so more slowly than it has thus far.
- The current median age in Africa is 19, but it is projected to rise to 35 by the end of the century, as fertility rates fall and life expectancies increase.
What does the Bible say about childbirth and fertility? Here are three biblical reasons to be grateful for God’s good gift of children:
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