Figure 7.24: Population density in sub-Saharan Africa. Of all the world regions, populations are growing fastest in sub-Saharan Africa. The demographic transition is taking hold in a few of the more prosperous countries. In these countries, better health care and more economic and educational opportunities for women are enabling women to pursue careers and to choose to have fewer children.

[Sources consulted: Deborah Balk, Gregory Yetman, et al., Center for International Earth Science Information Network, Columbia University, at http://www.ciesin.columbia.edu]