Compare predictions about population growth in Africa and Asia

1. Africa’s population as a whole is projected to grow very rapidly in the coming 85 years, from 1.2 billion today to 4.4 billion people in 2100 - an increase of 266%.

2. At the end of the current century, Africa’s population will be equal to the total world population back in 1980.

3. By 2100, Africa will - if UN projections bear out - account for almost 40% of the world’s 11.2 billion population.

4. Despite a falling population in China, Asia’s overall population is projected to rise from 4.4 billion today to 4.9 billion in 2100, an increase of 11%.

5. While Asia will retain its status as the most populous region, Africa is catching up. Today, Africa’s population is one-quarter the size of Asia’s.

6. By 2100, Africa will have a population that is just 10% smaller than Asia’s.

7. Nigeria will move from being the world’s seventh most-populous country today to its third most-populous country in 2100 (behind only India and China).

8. And while Nigeria is the only African nation among the top 10 today, it will be one of five in 2100.