Abstract
Compared to other regions of the world, the present population dynamics of sub-Saharan Africa are unique. The region has experienced rapid declines in under-five mortality and declines in fertility have started later, progressed more slowly, and stalled in several countries. This has led to unprecedented high rates of natural increase, such as 4% per year in Niger. This chapter begins with an examination of the various sources of demographic data available for sub-Saharan Africa, followed by a brief historical perspective on population. Next, it examines the levels and trends of mortality and fertility of the 48 sovereign countries of the region between 1980–1985 and 2010–2015, using the 2015 UN Population Division estimates. Finally, the chapter analyzes the population prospects for the region in 2050, according to the different assumptions adopted by the UN Population Division, and discusses the challenges associated with the inescapable future growth of the population in the region.
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Guengant, JP. (2017). Africa’s Population: History, Current Status, and Projections. In: Groth, H., May, J. (eds) Africa's Population: In Search of a Demographic Dividend. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-46889-1_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-46889-1_2
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