Namibia's Minister for Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Emma Kantema, stated that by 2050, one in four people worldwide will be African. She made the remarks at the launch of the Labour Migration Statistics in Africa report in Windhoek, according to local media.
The report, produced by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the African Union, highlights the continent's demographic trends. UN data projects Africa's population to reach about 2.5 billion by 2050, up from roughly 1.4 billion in 2024, making up about 25% of the global population.
Kantema emphasized the need for policies to harness this demographic dividend, focusing on youth employment and safe migration. The report also provides statistics on labour migration across African countries, aiming to improve data collection and policy formulation.
Experts note that Africa's rapid population growth presents both opportunities and challenges, requiring investments in education, health, and job creation to ensure sustainable development.
