Top 10 Least Populous Countries in Africa

Africa has, over the years, been ranked as the second most populous continent in the world, a place behind Asia.

With about 1.4 billion people living on the continent, there are still some countries out of its 54 countries with populations lesser than 2 million.

On the other hand, Lagos, a city in Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, has a population higher than 15 million.

10. Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea is a small country located on the west coast of Africa. Its population as of 2021 is 1.634 million.

9. Mauritius

Mauritius is an Indian Ocean island nation, popular for its beaches, lagoons and reefs which attracts lots of tourist.

It is the happiest country in Africa and the 59th happiest in the world, according to the World Happiness Report 2023.

The population of Mauritius as of 2021 is estimated at 1.266 million.

8. Eswatini

Eswatini is a country located in South Africa (different from South Africa country). It is one of the smallest countries and bordered by Mozambique to its northeast and South Africa to its north, west, south, and southeast.

The population of Eswatini as of 2021 is estimated at 1.192 million.

7. Djibouti

Djibouti is a country located on the Horn of Africa. It is home to Lake Assal, in the Danakil Desert. The lake is one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world.

The population of Djibouti as of 2021 is estimated at 1.106 million.

6. Reunion

Réunion is an island in the Indian Ocean that is an overseas department and region of France.

The current (2023) population of Réunion is estimated at 912,964.

5. Comoros

The Comoros is an independent country made of up group of islands.

The four main islands in this country include: Ngazidja (French: Grande Comore), Mwali (French: Mohéli), Nzwani (French: Anjouan) and Maore (French: Mayotte), the contested island of Mayotte is administered by France. Nearest Countries to the Comoros are Mozambique, Tanzania, Madagascar, and the Seychelles.

The population of Comoros as of 2021 is estimated by the World Bank to be 821,625. Presently, the population is predicted to be 923,818.

4. Cape Verde

Cape Verde or Cabo Verde, officially the Republic of Cabo Verde, is an archipelago and island country in the central Atlantic Ocean, consisting of ten volcanic islands with a combined land area of about 4,033 square kilometres.

As of 2021, the population of Cape Verde was 587,925 but currently (2023) estimated to be around 572,659.

3. Mayotte

Mayotte is an overseas département (department) of France. It is located in the northern part of the Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Southeastern Africa, between Northwestern Madagascar and Northeastern Mozambique.

The population of Mayotte as of 2019 is 270,372. The current population of the country is predicted to be 333,722.

2. Sao Tome and Principe

São Tomé and Príncipe, an African island nation close to the equator, is part of a volcano chain featuring striking rock and coral formations, rainforests and beaches.

The population of Sao Tome and Principe as of 2021 is 223,107. It is currently (2023) predicted to be 230,834.

1. Seychelles

Seychelles is an island republic in the western Indian Ocean, comprising about 115 islands.

The population of Seychelles as of 2021 is 99,258. It is currently estimated at about 107,660.

Summary