This archive report was first published on 21 November 2019.
By GICHU KIHORO, November 21, 2019
Africa's rapidly expanding population is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention. According to recent data published in the World Politics Review by American journalist Howard French, Africa's population is projected to double by the mid-21st century, reaching 2.5 billion, and could rise to four billion by the end of the century.
Currently, Africa is home to almost 1.2 billion people, and this number is expected to continue growing. In fact, by the end of the century, Africa's population could make up one-third of the world's population.
Meanwhile, Europe's population has been declining, and lower childbirth rates in Asia have contributed to the continent's shrinking and aging population. In contrast, Africa's population is not only growing but also becoming increasingly urbanized.
Kenya, for instance, has seen a significant increase in its population, with over 47.5 million citizens, up from just over 37 million a decade ago. This growth can be attributed to improved maternal healthcare, particularly through initiatives such as the Linda Mama program launched by First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and the Big Four Agenda's focus on universal healthcare.
As a result, maternal and infant mortality rates are decreasing in Kenya, and women have access to better hospital conditions, free maternal healthcare, and improved medicine. However, the rapid population growth poses significant challenges for governments, including the need to innovate ways to deal with sanitation, water, waste removal, transportation, infrastructure, and adequate housing.
Furthermore, the future of employment is a pressing concern, and governments must find ways to reconcile population growth with economic development. In Kenya, the Big Four Agenda aims to shepherd the country's smooth transition into the 21st century, and it is essential that food production and manufacturing grow at the same pace to accommodate the growing population.
