Angola's Population: Current Trends And Insights

Angola, officially the Republic of Angola, is a country on the west-central coast of Southern Africa. It is the second-largest Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) country in both total area and population and is the seventh-largest country in Africa. Angola has a population of over 33 million people, with an estimated 37.2 million people as of 2023. It is a young and fast-growing population, with a median age of 16.5 years as of 2024. The country's population is expected to reach almost 36 million by 2025, with a projected growth rate of 3.15% per year until then.

Population growth rate

Angola's population growth rate has been above 3% since 1975, with the most recent growth rate of 3.27% adding over 1 million people to its population every year. The population of Angola in 2024 is estimated to be between 37.8 million and 38 million, with a median age of 16.5 years and a fertility rate of 5.55 births per woman, which is one of the highest in the world.

The population of Angola in 2023 was 36,684,202, a 3.08% increase from 2022. The population in 2022 was 35,588,987, a 3.15% increase from 2021. The population in 2021 was 34,503,774, a 3.22% increase from 2020. The population growth rate in Angola has been consistently high over the past few years, with an average annual increase of over 3%.

At its current growth rate, Angola's population is projected to surpass 50 million by the end of 2034, 100 million by the end of 2062, and 185 million by 2099. The high population growth rate in Angola is mainly attributed to the high fertility rate in the country. The country has a very young population, with about 48% of the population under the age of 15 as of 2022. The population is expected to continue growing rapidly, with a low rate of contraceptive use and a fertility rate of more than 5 children per woman.

The population of Angola is heavily concentrated in urban areas, with 68.1% of the population living in urban centres, particularly the capital city of Luanda, which has a population of about 8 million people. The urban population in Angola is growing at an annual rate of approximately 4%.

Population density

Angola's population density is currently around 30 people per square kilometre, with a total land area of 1,246,700 square kilometres. This figure has been increasing year on year, with a 3.05% increase from 2023 to 2024, and a 3.15% increase from 2022 to 2023.

The population is not evenly distributed across the country, with most people living in the western half of the country, and in urban areas. 68.1% of the population live in urban areas, with the capital city of Luanda being the most populous. Luanda has a population of over 9 million people.

Angola is the second-largest Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) country in the world in terms of population, and the seventh-largest country in Africa. It has a population of over 37 million people, with a median age of 16.5 years.

Urbanisation

Angola's population is estimated to be between 37,885,849 and 38,010,452 as of 2024, with a population density of 30 people per square kilometre. Urban areas account for the highest concentrations of people, with 68.1% of the population living in urban areas in 2024, compared to 65.5% in 2018 and 62.6% in 2014.

The capital city of Luanda has a population of 9,292,000 and is home to 41.9% of the country's urban population. Other major urban areas include Lubango (959,000), Cabinda (905,000), Benguela (809,000), and Malanje (783,000). These five cities alone account for almost 60% of the country's urban population and 37.1% of the country's total population.

The urban population growth rate in Angola was 4.32% between 2015 and 2020 and is expected to continue growing. This growth has primarily resulted from the informal occupation of land, despite significant government investments in housing and urban infrastructure. As of 2014, 87.2% of private-owned urban housing in Angola was self-constructed, and only 50.9% of urban households had access to electricity.

The urbanisation of Angola has important implications for the country's economy and society. For example, the economy is not generating enough jobs to keep up with the growing working-age population, leading to high unemployment rates, especially among youth. Additionally, poverty remains widespread, with about 30% of Angolans living below the poverty line.

Life expectancy

Angola's population is estimated to be between 33.08 million and 38 million people in 2024. The median age in Angola is 16.5 years.

Angola has a high maternal mortality rate, with only about half of women delivering their babies with the assistance of trained healthcare personnel. The country also faces issues of poverty, with about 30% of Angolans living below the poverty line. This is expected to increase to 36.1% in 2024, which corresponds to almost 13.5 million people living on less than $2.15 per day.

In addition, Angola has a low literacy rate, with only about 70% of the population being literate, and the rate drops to around 60% for women. This may contribute to the lack of access to information and education on health and wellness topics, further impacting the overall life expectancy in the country.

To address these challenges, Angola has been working to reduce poverty and promote economic growth, with support from organisations like the World Bank. Efforts have been made to improve macroeconomic management and public sector governance, and there is a focus on economic diversification to support growth, job creation, and poverty reduction.

Poverty

Angola's population is estimated to be between 33 and 38 million people, with a median age of 16.5 years. The country has a population density of 30 per square kilometre and is the 41st most populous country in the world.

Despite rapid post-war economic growth based on oil production, Angola continues to face socioeconomic challenges, including poverty. About 30% of Angolans live below the poverty line, and this figure is expected to increase to 36.1% in 2024, which would mean almost 13.5 million Angolans living on less than $2.15 per day. 54% of Angolans experience multidimensional poverty, facing deprivations in areas such as health, education, quality of life, and employment. 70% of multidimensional poverty in the country is due to deprivation in terms of education and quality of life.

The World Bank is working with the Angolan government, development partners, and civil society to reduce poverty and promote economic growth. Efforts to diversify the economy away from oil and promote investment in the private sector, particularly in the agricultural sector, are seen as crucial to achieving economic diversification, supporting growth, and reducing poverty.

Frequently asked questions