The UN Economic Commission for Africa has presented a report on the demographic prospects of the continent, according to which the population of Africa will grow to 2.5 billion people by 2050. This was reported by TASS with reference to Maghreb Arabe Press.
The document notes a unique demographic feature: the average age of the continent’s inhabitants will be only 20 years, which will make Africa the region with the youngest population in the world.
UN experts consider this age structure as a strategic advantage. A large young population can become a powerful engine of industrial development for the continent.
The authors of the report also draw attention to the economic potential of the region. Currently, Africa annually imports food worth about 60 billion dollars. The growing population of the continent creates a promising internal market for the development of local agricultural production and regional trade ties.