Median age of people in all nations (1 map).

Africa Has the Youngest Populations

Africa stands out as the youngest region by far, with 21 countries reporting a median age below 20, led by Niger (15), Uganda (16), and Mali (16). Altogether, these 21 countries represent 790 million people.

This demographic structure reflects high fertility and improving child survival rates, but also signals future challenges in job creation and education. These youthful populations could shape global labor markets and migration flows in the decades ahead.

Europe and East Asia: Aging at Record Speeds

On the other hand, Europe and East Asia have some of the oldest populations on the planet. Europe’s oldest include Monaco (57), Italy (48), and Germany (47), while in Asia, Japan (50), Hong Kong (47), and South Korea (46) underscore the region’s demographic decline.

Shrinking workforces and rising dependency ratios pose serious challenges in the future, particularly when it comes to healthcare and pensions.