The Least Populated Countries In Africa

The Least Populated Countries in Africa 

African countries have a wide range of populations. Some countries, like Nigeria and Ethiopia, are home to over 100 million people, whereas others are home to far fewer. In this article, we will explore the least populated countries in Africa and what sets them apart from the rest of the continent.

What Are the Least Populated Countries in Africa? 

The 10 least populated countries in Africa are:

1. Seychelles (96,460)
2. Djibouti (974,595)
3. Comoros (856,408)
4. Cape Verde (535,991)
5. Sao Tome and Principe (193,663)
6. Lesotho (2,142,249)
7. Gambia (2,097,361)
8. Guinea-Bissau (1,874,303)
9. Equatorial Guinea (1,222,490)
10. Eritrea (3,494,820)

All of these countries span around half a million people or less. Seychelles is the least populated out of them all, with a population of only around 100,000.

What Makes These Countries Low in Population? 

There are several factors that contribute to the low population of these countries.

1. Location: Most of the least populated countries in Africa are relatively remote and far away from major population centers. For example, Djibouti and Equatorial Guinea are located in the Horn of Africa, while Seychelles is an island nation located off the coast of East Africa. These geographical locations make them difficult to access, and thus less desirable destinations for settlement.

2. Little Development: Most of the least populated countries in Africa lack adequate infrastructure and development. For example, Eritrea has the lowest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita in the world and thus, many people find it difficult to access basic necessities such as health care, education, and other basic services.. The limited access to resources has resulted in a low standard of living, and thus, many citizens have left the country in search of a better life.

3. Political Instability: Political instability is another major factor that has contributed to the low population of many of these African countries. For example, in the case of Guinea-Bissau, decades of political upheaval and civil wars have caused many citizens to flee the country in search of safety.

4. Ecosystems and Climate: Many of these countries also have extremely harsh climates or ecosystems that make them uninhabitable. For example, the Sahara Desert covers about one-third of Mauritania, rendering large parts of it uninhabitable. Similarly, climatic conditions in Cape Verde can sometimes become extremely hot and dry during the summer months, making it difficult for people to survive in some parts of the country.

Benefits of Being a Low Population Country 

Despite difficulties outlined above, being a low population country can result in certain economic and environmental benefits.

1. Economic Benefits: Low population countries have the potential to have higher Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita figures due to the availability of resources and the general cost of living being lower. For example, despite having exceptionally high levels of inequality, Sao Tome and Principe still has a high GDP per capita figure of USD 6,900 per year.

2. Environmental Benefits: Africa’s low population countries also benefit from their low population densities in terms of their ecosystems. For example, in Gambia, one of the least populated countries on the continent, approximately 51% of the country is covered by forests and woodlands. This is significantly higher than more highly populated African countries such as Kenya, which only has approximately 6% of its land area covered by forests. This significantly lower population number makes them less susceptible to deforestation, as well as other forms of land clearance.

Low population countries have a lot to offer both economically and environmentally. Despite their disadvantages, such as limited access to resources and poor infrastructure, their isolation and low population number mean that their ecosystems are often still relatively healthy. Additionally, their high GDP per capita figures, as seen in Sao Tome and Principe, make them highly advantageous for potential residents. As the continent continues to grow, it is likely that many of these low population countries will experience further growth and development in the future.