More than 40% of the population in these countries comprises children below 14 years

• Larger percentage of children in any population is due to high birth rates.
  
• As per UNFPA report, the proportion of children in six countries is more than 40% of their population.
• Such demographic transitions in these countries can have far reaching consequences for the world.

Countries with more than 40% of their population aged below 14 years

A high proportion of young children in some populations, estimated at more than 40% in some countries is certainly a surprising trend in demographic transition. The UNFPA Report for 2023 contains some interesting stats and trends regarding population studies. Ascribed to the high fertility rates in these countries, the higher percentages of children is due to several factors including the near absence of birth control procedures.

While Asia and Latin America faced a rapid decline in birth rates from late 1960s, countries like Africa only experienced only a very limited change in reproduction. Due to these divergent trends in the past, fertility rates differed widely between countries ranging from 5 births per woman in Africa to 2.5 births per woman in Latin America and Asia. Since 1950, the average values of births per woman had never been more than 2 births per woman in North America and 1.4 births per woman in Europe.

Stemming from the UNFPA Report, here is an overview of the population of some countries where the children below 14 years make up over 40% of their total population.

Central African Republic has the highest concentration of young children

The percentage of children below 14 years is around 48% of its population in the Central African Republic. This country is perhaps the leader in this segment in 2023 with almost half of its population being younger than 14 years of age.

The population of Central African Republic is made of more than 80 ethnic groups, each of them having their own language. Some of their urban centers are the most densely populated. Over 55% of their population lives in rural regions.

The second largest concentration of children population in the world

Estimated at around 47 percent, two countries including Chad and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have similar amount of high concentration of young children in their populations.

Officially known as the Republic of Chad, this landlocked country lies in the crossroads of North and Central Africa. Chad’s population is around 16 million.

The Democratic Republic of Congo also called as Congo-Kinshasa was formerly known as Zaire. Located in Central Africa, this country is bordered by the South Atlantic Ocean in the west.

Other countries with high concentrations of young population

Three other countries that have higher concentrations of young population are Gambia (43%), Congo (41%) and Cote d’Ivoire (41%).

Gambia, officially the Republic of The Gambia is a West African country and the smallest nation in the mainland Africa spanning over 11,300 square kilometers.

Democratic Republic of Congo is the second largest country in the African continent after Algeria.

Cote d’Ivoire is a West African country also called as the Ivory Coast.