African Human Capital: Past trends, skills, and future pathways

© IIASA

The African Human Capital Data Sheet 2026 was developed in the framework of the Yidan Prize-supported project at IIASA and the Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit (SALDRU) at the University of Cape Town. The work builds on decades of demographic and human capital research conducted at IIASA and the Wittgenstein Centre for Demography and Global Human Capital (IIASA, OeAW, University of Vienna), including global population projections, education projections, and the development of innovative human capital indicators such as Skills-in-Literacy Adjusted Mean Years of Schooling (SLAMYS). The publication continues IIASA’s longstanding work on multidimensional population dynamics, education, and human capital forecasting, including the online resource Wittgenstein Centre Data Explorer.

Africa’s demographic transition

Africa is experiencing profound demographic change driven by declining mortality, expanding education, and gradually falling fertility rates. The data sheet shows how future population growth could differ under alternative scenarios of “Further Progress” and “Stalled Progress,” emphasizing the importance of continued investments in education and human development.

Education and human capital

The publication presents detailed indicators on educational attainment and on the recently developed indicator of Skills-in-Literacy Adjusted Mean Years of Schooling (SLAMYS) which combines years of schooling with measures of actual literacy skills for the entire adult population (and not only current students as other indicators do). This allows a more accurate understanding of the human capital of the working age population and thus productivity across African countries. 

Demographic dividend and economic potential

The data sheet demonstrates how improvements in education and skills can strengthen Africa’s demographic dividend. By combining changing age structures with rising human capital, the analysis illustrates how investments in education can contribute to productivity growth, poverty reduction, and long-term economic resilience.

Gender and education

A dedicated section highlights progress in girls’ education across Africa while also documenting persistent inequalities in educational attainment and learning outcomes. The analysis underscores the importance of closing gender gaps to support human capital development and demographic transition.

Education and fertility

The publication presents empirical evidence linking female education and lower fertility rates. Within countries more educated women have lower fertility and at the national level countries with higher levels of educational attainment and literacy-adjusted skills tend to experience lower fertility, illustrating the broader social and economic impacts of education investments.

Regional and country-level data

The Data Sheet includes continental, regional, and national indicators covering population trends, educational attainment, fertility, life expectancy, and human capital projections. Rankings, maps, and comparative indicators allow users to explore differences across African countries and regions.