Photo credit: Hannah Reyes Morales

Filipina photographer Hannah Reyes Morales has been nominated for a prestigious Pulitzer Prize in the Feature Photography category for her captivating series of photographs, which shed light on the burgeoning "youthquake" sweeping across Africa.

Morales, who contributed her work to The New York Times, captured the essence of this seismic demographic shift with her creative and evocative imagery.

Her series delved into the profound implications of Africa's burgeoning population, which is projected to represent one-quarter of the world's population by 2050, with one-third being young people.

Through her lens, Morales depicted the early tremors of this monumental change, illustrating how birth rates are declining in wealthier nations while Africa experiences a remarkable baby boom, fueling the continent's status as the youngest and fastest-growing population on the planet.

Sharing her insights on Instagram last October 29, 2023, Morales provided a poignant commentary on the demographic landscape, stating, "By 2050, one in four people on the planet will be African, and early tremors of this seismic change are already registering around the world."

She highlighted the stark contrast in median ages between Africa and other populous nations, emphasizing how this demographic shift will not only transform African societies but also reshape their global interactions.

Morales' nomination for the Pulitzer Prize underscores the significance of her work in bringing attention to critical issues such as climate change, the energy transition, and migration, all of which are deeply intertwined with Africa's evolving demographic dynamics.

Her photographs serve as a powerful testament to the role of visual storytelling in raising awareness and fostering dialogue on pressing global challenges.