Defining who is “Black” is not straightforward. When we ask, “What Percentage Of The World Is Black?”, the answer depends heavily on the definition we use. This exploration delves into the complexities of this question, examining various perspectives and providing a comprehensive overview of global Black demographics.
If we take the broadest definition – that all humans are of African descent – then 100% of the world’s population could be considered Black, tracing back to our African origins. However, this is a scientifically accurate but socially unconventional definition. For practical purposes and common understanding, we need to consider more specific interpretations.
Race as a social construct is crucial to understand when discussing demographics. Culture, heritage, and ethnicity are tangible aspects of identity, while race is often a label imposed externally. Personal experiences highlight this complexity. For example, individuals of mixed racial heritage may identify with the race they feel is most visible or socially ascribed to them. This subjective element adds layers to demographic data collection and interpretation.
Therefore, moving beyond purely scientific ancestry, let’s consider more conventional definitions of “Black” to estimate global percentages.
Generally, “Black” often refers to people of recent Sub-Saharan African descent, as well as those indigenous to Oceania and Australia. Africa is the second most populous continent, with approximately 1.22 billion people. Oceania and Australia combined have around 43 million.
Africa undeniably holds the largest population of Black people. However, racial distribution across the continent is uneven. Rough estimates suggest that about 80% of Africa’s population fits the conventional definition of Black, predominantly residing in Sub-Saharan countries.
Northern Africa, in contrast, is primarily inhabited by non-Black ethnic groups like Berbers, Arabs, and Bedouins, often considered “white” due to their lighter skin tones. Considering these demographics, we can estimate roughly 980 million Black people live within Africa.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation and the seventh globally, exemplifies the significant Black demographic. With over 211 million residents, Nigeria’s influence extends beyond its borders through the Nigerian diaspora. It’s estimated that Nigerians and their descendants constitute a substantial portion – perhaps one in seven – of the world’s Black population. This is despite “Nigerian” being an umbrella term for over 250 ethnic groups, including the Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo, who have established communities worldwide.
The transatlantic slave trade and colonialism forcibly displaced millions from Nigeria and West Africa, contributing to significant Black populations in the Americas. The Caribbean region alone is home to nearly 34 million Black people, making up over 75% of its total population. Haiti stands out with approximately 90% of its 11.3 million residents being Black. Jamaica also has a substantial Black majority, with about 2.5 million out of 2.9 million residents identifying as Black.
The United States has the largest Black population outside of Africa, depending on the definition. Over 46 million Black people reside in the U.S., with 58% living in the Southern states. Canada, to the north, is home to around 1.2 million Black individuals.
Europe and Asia have comparatively smaller Black populations, considering their proximity to Africa. While major European countries like the UK, France, Italy, and Spain report Black populations exceeding one million, Central and Eastern Europe have significantly fewer Black residents. In Asia, Russia has the largest Black population, though only around 120,000. China, the world’s most populous country, has a very small Black population.
Countries outside Africa with significant Black populations include:
- United States (46,350,000)
- Brazil (15,000,000)
- Haiti (9,925,000)
- Colombia (4,944,000)
- France (4,500,000) (including French territories)
- Venezuela (3,743,000)
- Jamaica (2,510,000)
- United Kingdom (1,904,000)
- Mexico (1,386,000)
- Canada (1,200,000)
- Dominican Republic (1,138,000)
- Cuba (1,127,000)
- Ecuador (1,120,000)
- Italy (1,159,000)
- Spain (1,191,000)
Based on the stricter definition of recent Sub-Saharan African descent, the global Black population is around 1.2 billion. However, if we broaden the definition, even considering factors like melanin levels, this number increases significantly. The Indian subcontinent, for example, has millions of dark-skinned people who might be included in a broader, less geographically restrictive definition.
In South Africa, Black people constitute 79% of the population, demonstrating the demographic diversity even within Africa itself.
In conclusion, determining the exact percentage of the world that is Black is complex and depends on the definition used. Using a conventional definition focused on Sub-Saharan African descent, we estimate around 1.2 billion Black people globally. As the global population in 2020 was approximately 7.8 billion, this suggests that roughly 15% of the world’s population is Black based on this narrower definition. However, it’s crucial to remember that race is a social construct, and these numbers are estimates based on evolving understandings of identity and demographics.
