Top 10 Least Populated Countries In Africa (2023)

Africa is the second-largest continent in the world, with a population of over 1.3 billion people. However, some countries in Africa have very low populations, which can be attributed to several factors such as low birth rates, high mortality rates, political instability, and poverty.

The top 10 least populated countries in Africa include Seychelles, Sao Tome and Principe, Cape Verde, Comoros, Djibouti, Eswatini, Mauritius, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau, and Lesotho.

Top 10 Least Populated Countries In Africa

1. Seychelles – 99,200

Seychelles is an archipelago country located in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa. It gained independence from Britain in 1976 and has a total land area of 459 square kilometres.

With a population of only 99,200, Seychelles is the least populated country in Africa.

Despite its small population, Seychelles has a relatively high life expectancy rate of 73 years, a birth rate of 16.4 births per 1,000 people, and a death rate of 7.4 deaths per 1,000 people. While these rates are not necessarily contributing factors to the country’s low population, the small size of the country, low fertility rate, and limited resources is the major challenge to population growth.

2. Sao Tome and Principe – 223,360

Sao Tome and Principe is an island country located off the west coast of Central Africa. The country gained independence from Portugal in 1975 and has a land area of 1,001 square kilometres. With a population of 223,360, it is the second least populated country in Africa.

Sao Tome and Principe have a life expectancy rate of 70 years, a birth rate of 31.5 births per 1,000 people, and a death rate of 6.9 deaths per 1,000 people. The high birth rate is offset by a high infant mortality rate, which is a contributing factor to the country’s low population.

3. Cape Verde – 561,900

Cape Verde is a volcanic archipelago located off the west coast of Africa. It gained independence from Portugal in 1975 and has a land area of 4,033 square kilometres with a population of 561,900.

Cape Verde has a life expectancy rate of 74 years, a birth rate of 19.3 births per 1,000 people, and a death rate of 6.5 deaths per 1,000 people. While the birth rate is relatively low, the country still has a young population with over 35% of the population under the age of 15.

4. Comoros – 888,460

Comoros is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa. It gained independence from France in 1975 and has a land area of 1,861 square kilometres with a population of 888,460.

Comoros has a life expectancy rate of 63 years, a birth rate of 25.5 births per 1,000 people, and a death rate of 7.3 deaths per 1,000 people. The low life expectancy rate and high birth rate are the major contributing factors to the country’s low population.

5. Djibouti – 1,002,200

Djibouti is a small country located in the Horn of Africa. It gained independence from France in 1977 and has a land area of 23,200 square kilometres. The small country has a population of only 1,002,200.

Djibouti has a life expectancy rate of 67 years, a birth rate of 24.3 births per 1,000 people, and a death rate of 7.5 deaths per 1,000 people. The country’s low population can be attributed to several factors, including limited resources, difficult living conditions, and a challenging environment.

6. Eswatini – 1,172,370

Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is a landlocked country located in southern Africa. It gained independence from Britain in 1968 and has a land area of 17,364 square kilometres with a population of 1,172,370.

Eswatini has a life expectancy rate of 61 years, a birth rate of 24.6 births per 1,000 people, and a death rate of 11.6 deaths per 1,000 people. The low life expectancy rate and high death rate can be attributed to several factors, including a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, limited access to healthcare, and poverty.

7. Mauritius – 1,266,060

Mauritius is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeast coast of Africa. It gained independence from Britain in 1968 and has a land area of 2,040 square kilometres with a population of 1,266,060.

Mauritius has a relatively high life expectancy rate of 74 years, a birth rate of 10.4 births per 1,000 people, and a death rate of 7.5 deaths per 1,000 people. While the low birth rate could be a contributing factor to the country’s low population, the limited land area and high cost of living are other deterrents to population growth.

8. Equatorial Guinea – 1,449,809

Equatorial Guinea is a small country located on the west coast of Central Africa. It gained independence from Spain in 1968 and has a land area of 28,051 square kilometres with a population of 1,449,809.

Equatorial Guinea has a relatively high life expectancy rate of 64 years, a birth rate of 31.6 births per 1,000 people, and a death rate of 9.2 deaths per 1,000 people. Factors like low fertility rate, high mortality rate poor infrastructure, and political instability are the major causes of low population growth in the country.

9. Guinea Bissau – 2,015,490

Guinea Bissau is a small country located on the west coast of Africa. It gained independence from Portugal in 1973 and has a land area of 36,125 square kilometres with a population of 2,015,490.

Guinea Bissau has a relatively low life expectancy rate of 54 years, a birth rate of 32.9 births per 1,000 people, and a death rate of 9.2 deaths per 1,000 people. The country has a high infant mortality rate, which is a contributing factor to the low population.

10. Lesotho – 2,159,070

Lesotho is a country located in southern Africa. It gained independence from Britain in 1966 and has a land area of 30,355 square kilometres with a population of 2,159,070.

Lesotho has a relatively low life expectancy rate of 57 years, a birth rate of 26.7 births per 1,000 people, and a death rate of 13.3 deaths per 1,000 people. The country’s growth has been deterred by a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, limited access to healthcare, poverty, a high mortality rate and a low birth rate.

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Conclusion

The countries in our top 10 least populated countries in Africa may have a small population, but they are no less significant than their more populous counterparts.

From the tropical islands of Seychelles and Sao Tome and Principe to the landlocked nations of Lesotho and Eswatini, each of these countries has a unique history, culture, and set of challenges that contribute to their underpopulation.