By 2050, more than eight out of every ten people on earth will be living in what are today considered developing countries. This major demographic shift, highlighted by World Bank Group President Ajay Banga during the 2025 Annual Meetings, is already reshaping the global economic and social landscape.
The change is most evident in Africa, where populations are growing at a record pace. In Nigeria, the population is projected to increase by about 130 million people, making it one of the most populous countries in the world. Zambia is expected to add around 700,000 people each year, while Mozambique’s population is set to double within the next 25 years.
These are not just statistics. They represent millions of young people entering adulthood, full of energy, ambition, and expectations for decent work and better living conditions. However, there is growing concern about how economies will absorb this wave of new workers. Over the next 10 to 15 years, 1.2 billion young people will enter the global workforce, yet only about 400 million jobs are expected to be available.
This means that for every three young people seeking work, two may be unable to find it unless major efforts are made to create new opportunities.
Ajay Banga warned that without urgent and deliberate action, the optimism of young people could turn into frustration, fueling social unrest and migration pressures that would affect all regions. He emphasized that job creation must be placed at the heart of every development and national security strategy, describing employment as the foundation for stability and progress.
The World Bank is reshaping its approach to support countries in creating jobs and building opportunity rather than merely responding to crises. For developing nations, the message is clear: investment in education, entrepreneurship, and employment is no longer optional; it is essential for economic growth and stability.
For Africa, the world’s youngest continent, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. With the right investments in skills, innovation, and sustainable industries, the continent’s growing population could drive global growth in the coming decades. Without such investments, however, the weight of unmet expectations could place immense pressure on economies and societies.
The next 25 years will test how well developing nations can transform their population growth into prosperity and how ready the world is to support that transformation.
