CNN)Nigeria will overtake the United States to become the third-most populous country in the world by 2050, according to a United Nations report.

Currently the seventh-most populous country in the world, the West African nation is projected to surpass the 300 million people mark by 2050, according to The World Population Prospects 2017.

The report predicted that the world population will hit a staggering 9.8 billion by 2050, and forecasted that over half of the expected growth between 2017 and 2050 is likely to occur in Africa.

Here are five African countries that will contribute the most to the world's population growth.

Nigeria



With an estimated population of more than 180 million people, Nigeria experienced annual population growth of about 2.7% between 2010 and 2015, according to the UN.

Nigeria's population in numbers

Current population: 187 million (2016)

Population by 2050: over 300 million

Largest city: Lagos- between 17.5 and 21 million residents

High fertility rates, high infant mortality rates and the cultural value of large families have all been cited as factors driving Nigeria's population boom.
Home to four of the world's fastest-growing cities, it has been described as an economic powerhouse.

However, there are fears that such an increase in population could cripple Nigeria's already inadequate infrastructure.


http://edition.cnn.com/2017/06/25/africa/africa-population-growth-un/index.html


CC: Lalasticlala

This is serious. Our people need to start sensitizing themselves about over population and family planning