Equatorial Guinea’s population growth fell to 2.4% y/y in 2025.

Neither way is good in itself. A faster rate means more people to house, school and employ, and a slower rate means a more slowly growing base of workers and consumers. Which suits the country depends on its jobs, services and public finances. The latest figure is 2.4% y/y for January 2025, level with the 2.4% y/y of a year earlier, a change of 0.01 percentage points. It is the lowest reading since 2016, when growth peaked at 3.7% y/y.

Why it matters. At 2.4% y/y, the population is still expanding at a pace that adds steadily to demand for housing, classrooms, clinics and jobs. Firms see a growing pool of customers and workers. The state has to extend services each year to keep up. The easing from 3.7% y/y in 2016 has reduced that annual pressure, though the rate remains high.