Part 3/9:
Historically, between 1 and 1700 AD, Africa's share of the world population hovered around 10%, stable due to high birth and death rates prevalent in premodern societies. The demographic transition that began in Europe in the 18th century led to significant changes across the globe, resulting in declining fertility rates in many regions while sub-Saharan Africa lagged behind.
By the 20th century, the proportion of Africans on the global stage began to rise again, fueled by declining death rates and an increase in natural births. As of today, Africa accounts for roughly 18% of the world’s population, while Europe has decreased to less than 10%. This trend is projected to continue, making Africa an increasingly vital player in global demographics.