World Bank: Africa to Supply 75% of Global Workers by 2050

The World Bank projects that by 2050, Sub-Saharan Africa will account for over 75% of the increase in the global working-age population, adding an estimated 625 million people. This demographic change highlights the region's growing significance in the global labor market, especially as other areas, such as East Asia and the Pacific, are expected to lose over 200 million working-age individuals.

The World Bank identifies five sectors with strong potential for job creation: infrastructure and energy, agribusiness and farming, health, tourism, and value-added manufacturing. It emphasizes the need for foundational infrastructure, a business-enabling environment, and private capital mobilization to support employment growth.

The report also notes that Nigeria's expanding population and workforce intensify the pressure on the economy to generate sufficient jobs. A report from Nairametrics in August 2026 indicated that 45.3% of Nigerian households faced job loss or business closure in the previous year, underscoring the urgent need for effective job creation strategies.