Sub-Saharan Africa to supply 75% of new global workers by 2050

Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to become the primary driver of the global labor supply, accounting for more than 75% of the increase in the world’s working-age population by 2050. According to the World Bank, the region is expected to add between 620 million and 625 million people to its working-age population over the next 25 years.

This demographic shift occurs as other regions, such as East Asia and the Pacific, face aging populations and shrinking workforces. However, the World Bank warns that this growth presents a significant economic challenge. To prevent rising unemployment and underemployment, the region must generate an average of 25 million jobs annually through 2050.

The World Bank identified five key sectors capable of large-scale employment: infrastructure and energy, agriculture and agribusiness, healthcare, tourism, and value-added manufacturing. Unlocking this potential will require increased private-sector investment, improved infrastructure, stronger institutions, and enhanced skills development to integrate African businesses into global supply chains.