Year-over-year change: -0.1 pp, trend down
5-year change: +2.5 pp, trend up
Central African Republic
Population growth rate: 3.3%
View MoreAnnual population growth rate
Global0.8%
19502100
2026
Rankings at a glance
Highest 10 · Annual population growth rate (2026)
The Central African Republic is projected to top the global rankings for annual population growth rate, recording 3.28% in 2026, followed by Somalia (3.24%) and Niger (3.14%). DR Congo (3.13%) and Syria (3.04%) complete the top 5. Mayotte (3.04%) and Sudan (3.03%) follow close behind. Angola (2.95%), Mali (2.85%), and Oman (2.82%) round out the top ten. Eight of the top ten are in Africa, with three from Central Africa.
Rank changes
How annual population growth rate changed between 2021 and 2026
2021and2026
Historical trends
Key terms
- Population growth rate
- — Annual percentage change in total population size.
- Population density
- — People per square kilometre of land area.
- Median age
- — Age at which half the population is younger and half is older.
- Sex ratio
- — Number of males per 100 females in the population.
Frequently asked questions
- Which country has the highest population growth rate?
- The Central African Republic is projected to have the highest population growth rate at 3.3% in 2026, according to UN Population Division (2024).
- Which country has the lowest population growth rate?
- Saint Martin is projected to have the lowest population growth rate at -4.2% in 2026, according to UN Population Division (2024).
- What is the global population growth rate?
- The global population growth rate is projected to be 0.8% in 2026, as published by the United Nations in World Population Prospects 2024.
