Highest Population Country In The World

Most Populated Countries: List of Every Country by Population

Population is one of the most important indicators used to understand the demographic structure of the world. It shows how many people live within a country and helps explain the scale of its labor force, consumer market, cities, public services, infrastructure, and economic activity.

India is currently the world’s most populous country, followed by China and the United States. Indonesia, Pakistan, Nigeria, Brazil, Bangladesh, Russia, and Ethiopia also have populations exceeding 100 million. Together, these countries represent a substantial share of the world’s population.

The figures used for country population comparisons can vary depending on the source and reference year. This article uses the 2025 population estimates derived from the United Nations World Population Prospects 2024, the latest UN population revision available for this dataset. Our World in Data identifies the United Nations World Population Prospects 2024 as the source for its 2025 country population data.

What Is Population?

Population refers to the total number of people living in a defined geographic area at a particular time. In country rankings, population normally refers to the estimated number of people residing within a country’s internationally recognized territory.

Population figures are generally calculated using information from censuses, civil registration systems, surveys, migration statistics, and demographic models. Because a complete census is not conducted every year in most countries, annual population figures are often estimates rather than direct headcounts.

The United Nations regularly updates its demographic estimates through the World Population Prospects, incorporating information about births, deaths, migration, age structures, and other demographic factors.

Most Populated Countries in the World

The largest populations are concentrated primarily in Asia, although Africa is becoming increasingly important in global population growth.

India has the world’s largest population. China remains the second-largest, despite entering a period of population decline and rapid demographic aging. The United States is third, followed by Indonesia and Pakistan.

The next positions are occupied by major countries in Africa, South America, and Asia, including Nigeria, Brazil, Bangladesh, Russia, and Ethiopia.

The leading countries by population are:

1. India
2. China
3. United States
4. Indonesia
5. Pakistan
6. Nigeria
7. Brazil
8. Bangladesh
9. Russia
10. Ethiopia

The United Nations’ 2024 population revision also identifies India, China, the United States, Indonesia, Pakistan, Nigeria, Brazil, Bangladesh, Russia, and Ethiopia among the world’s ten largest populations.

India: The World’s Most Populated Country

India is the world’s most populous country. Its population is distributed across a large and geographically diverse territory containing major metropolitan areas, densely settled agricultural regions, coastal cities, and rapidly developing urban centers.

The country’s large population is influenced by its historical settlement patterns, extensive agricultural regions, relatively young demographic structure, and long-term improvements in life expectancy and healthcare.

India’s population size also gives it one of the world’s largest labor forces and consumer markets. However, population growth varies significantly between Indian states, with some regions experiencing much lower fertility than others.

China: The Second-Most Populous Country

China has the world’s second-largest population. For decades, China experienced exceptionally rapid population growth before fertility declined and population aging became increasingly important demographic issues.

China’s population is heavily concentrated in the eastern and southeastern parts of the country, where major cities, agricultural areas, transportation networks, and industrial centers are located.

The country’s demographic outlook is different from that of many developing countries. Low fertility, increasing life expectancy, and an aging population are expected to contribute to continued population decline under the UN’s medium projection.

United States: Largest Population in the Americas

The United States is the third-most populous country in the world and the largest in the Americas.

Its population is concentrated particularly around major metropolitan regions, including the northeastern corridor, the Great Lakes region, the southern states, California, and other major urban centers.

International migration has played an important role in the country’s population development. Compared with many other highly populated countries, the United States also has a relatively large geographic area and a highly urbanized population.

Indonesia: The World’s Fourth-Largest Population

Indonesia is the fourth-most populous country and the largest population in Southeast Asia.

Its population is spread across thousands of islands, although Java is particularly densely populated. Jakarta and other major metropolitan areas form important population and economic centers.

Indonesia’s population structure has changed considerably as fertility has declined and urbanization has expanded. The country remains one of the world’s most significant population markets.

Pakistan: One of the World’s Largest Populations

Pakistan ranks among the world’s five most populous countries.

Its population has grown substantially over recent decades, supported by a relatively young age structure and historically high fertility compared with many developed countries.

Major population concentrations include Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the Islamabad-Rawalpindi metropolitan area. Karachi is the country’s largest major urban center and one of the largest cities in the region.

Pakistan’s demographic size gives it a significant labor force and a large domestic consumer market. At the same time, rapid population growth creates challenges involving education, healthcare, housing, employment, water resources, transportation, and infrastructure.

The United Nations projects that Pakistan will become increasingly important in the global population ranking. Its World Population Prospects 2024 analysis projects Pakistan to overtake the United States in population size by the middle of the century.

Nigeria: Africa’s Most Populated Country

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and one of the world’s fastest-growing major population centers.

The country’s population is relatively young, and fertility remains considerably higher than in many regions of Asia, Europe, and North America. This combination creates strong population momentum.

Nigeria’s population is concentrated particularly in the southern and central parts of the country, with Lagos and other large urban areas serving as major demographic and economic centers.

Nigeria is expected to become increasingly important in global population rankings. UN projections indicate that the country could eventually surpass the United States and become one of the world’s largest population centers.

Brazil: South America’s Most Populated Country

Brazil is the most populous country in South America and the largest Portuguese-speaking country in the world.

Most of Brazil’s population is concentrated along the Atlantic coast and in major metropolitan regions. São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Belo Horizonte, Salvador, and other cities form important population centers.

Brazil’s demographic transition has resulted in substantially lower fertility than in previous generations. As a result, population growth has slowed considerably compared with earlier decades.

Bangladesh: One of the World’s Most Densely Populated Large Countries

Bangladesh is among the world’s most populous countries despite having a relatively small land area.

The majority of its population lives on the fertile plains surrounding the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna river system. Dhaka is the country’s largest metropolitan area and an important center of population, business, government, and manufacturing.

Bangladesh has experienced a significant decline in fertility over the past several decades. Improvements in healthcare, education, child survival, and family planning have contributed to this demographic transition.

Russia: A Large Population Across a Vast Territory

Russia is among the world’s ten most populous countries and has the largest land area of any country.

Its population is highly unevenly distributed. Most people live in the western portion of the country, particularly around Moscow, Saint Petersburg, the Volga region, and other European Russian cities.

The enormous geographic size of Russia means that its population density is relatively low despite its large total population.

Russia has also experienced demographic challenges involving low fertility, aging, and regional population differences.

Ethiopia: A Major African Population Center

Ethiopia is one of Africa’s largest countries by population and ranks among the world’s ten most populous nations in the 2025 estimates.

Its population is relatively young, and demographic growth has been significant over recent decades.

Addis Ababa is the country’s largest urban center and an important political, economic, and transportation hub. Population growth is expected to remain substantial as Ethiopia continues its demographic transition.

Population Distribution Across Continents

Population is not distributed evenly across the world’s continents.

Asia

Asia is by far the world’s most populous continent. It contains both the two largest national populations, India and China, as well as Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Iran, and several other major population centers.

Large river valleys, fertile agricultural plains, historical civilizations, coastal settlements, and extensive urban networks have contributed to Asia’s exceptionally large population.

Africa

Africa has the world’s second-largest continental population and is the fastest-growing major population region.

Countries such as Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda account for large and rapidly growing populations.

Africa’s young age structure is particularly important for its future demographic trajectory. The United Nations expects several African countries to become substantially more prominent in global population rankings during the remainder of the century.

Europe

Europe has a large population but generally lower fertility rates than Africa and much of Asia.

Many European countries are experiencing population aging, and some have already begun experiencing population decline. Immigration has become an important component of population change in several European countries.

North America

North America includes the United States, Mexico, Canada, and numerous Caribbean and Central American countries and territories.

The United States and Mexico account for the largest national populations in the region. Population distribution is strongly influenced by urbanization, economic opportunities, climate, and migration.

South America

Brazil dominates South America’s population ranking, followed by Colombia, Argentina, Peru, and Venezuela.

The majority of South America’s population lives in urban areas, with especially large concentrations around coastal and metropolitan regions.

Oceania

Oceania has a much smaller population than the other inhabited continents. Australia accounts for the majority of the region’s population, followed by Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.

Population density is generally low because of Australia’s enormous land area and the large amount of sparsely inhabited territory.

Why Are Some Countries More Populated Than Others?

There is no single factor responsible for a country’s population size. Population is the result of demographic processes operating over many generations.

The most important influences include fertility, mortality, migration, geography, economic conditions, historical settlement, government policies, and population age structure.

Fertility Rate

Fertility is one of the most important factors determining long-term population growth.

Countries with relatively high fertility generally add more people through natural increase, provided that mortality does not offset the number of births.

In contrast, countries with fertility below the replacement level may eventually experience population decline unless immigration compensates for the difference.

Fertility rates have fallen substantially in many parts of the world. This decline is one of the major reasons that global population growth is slowing.

Life Expectancy and Mortality

Lower mortality increases the number of people who survive into adulthood and old age.

Advances in medicine, vaccination, sanitation, nutrition, clean water, maternal healthcare, and disease prevention have contributed to major increases in life expectancy in many countries.

When mortality falls while fertility remains high, populations can grow rapidly.

Migration

Migration can substantially change a country’s population.

Immigration increases the population of the destination country, while emigration reduces the population of the country of origin.

Migration is especially important for countries where natural population growth is low or negative. In some developed countries, immigration has become a major component of population change.

Age Structure

The age distribution of a population can strongly influence future growth.

Countries with large numbers of children and young adults often have considerable population momentum. Even if fertility declines, a large young generation can produce substantial numbers of births as it reaches reproductive age.

Countries with older populations face different challenges, including increasing demand for healthcare, pensions, elderly care, and replacement workers.

Population Momentum

Population momentum occurs when a population continues growing because of its existing age structure even after fertility begins to decline.

For example, a country can reduce its average fertility rate significantly while continuing to experience population growth because a large number of young adults are entering childbearing ages.

This concept is especially important when analyzing rapidly growing countries in Africa and parts of Asia.

Urbanization and Population Growth

Urbanization has changed where people live within many countries.

Large populations are increasingly concentrated in metropolitan areas because cities provide employment, education, healthcare, transportation, business opportunities, and other services.

Some of the world’s largest urban areas are located in the most populous countries, including India, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, and Nigeria.

Urbanization does not necessarily increase national population by itself, but it changes population distribution and can influence fertility, migration, housing demand, and economic development.

Population Size vs Population Density

Population size and population density are different measures.

Population size refers to the total number of people living in a country.

Population density measures the number of people living per unit of land area, commonly expressed as people per square kilometer.

A country can therefore have a very large population but relatively low population density if it has a huge land area. Russia is an important example.

Conversely, a country can have a much smaller total population but extremely high population density if its land area is limited.

Bangladesh illustrates this difference particularly well: its total population is enormous, while its relatively small territory produces a very high population density.

Population Size vs Population Growth Rate

Population size should not be confused with population growth rate.

A country can have a huge population and very slow growth. China is an important example of a large population experiencing demographic decline.

Another country can have a much smaller population but a considerably higher growth rate.

Population growth depends on the balance between births, deaths, immigration, and emigration. Therefore, today’s population ranking does not necessarily indicate tomorrow’s ranking.

Countries With Rapidly Growing Populations

Many of the countries expected to experience substantial population increases are located in Africa.

Young age structures and comparatively high fertility contribute to strong population momentum in countries such as Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, and several other African nations.

The United Nations expects population growth to become increasingly concentrated in a relatively small number of countries, particularly those with younger populations.

Countries Experiencing Population Decline

Population decline is increasingly common in countries with very low fertility and aging populations.

Several countries in Europe and East Asia have already experienced population decline or are projected to do so.

China’s population decline has attracted particular attention because of the country’s enormous demographic scale. The UN’s 2024 projections show a major long-term reduction in China’s population under the medium scenario.

Population decline can create challenges for labor markets, pension systems, healthcare, economic growth, and regional development.

Why Population Rankings Change

Population rankings are not permanent.

Countries can move up or down the ranking because of:

• Birth rates
• Death rates
• Fertility changes
• Immigration
• Emigration
• Wars and conflicts
• Public-health crises
• Economic conditions
• Changes in life expectancy
• Census revisions
• Improved statistical methods
• Changes in demographic projections

A difference of only a few million people can eventually change the position of countries that have similar population sizes.

How Population Estimates Are Produced

Population estimates are generally based on demographic data rather than a simple annual headcount.

The United Nations evaluates information from national censuses, population registers, surveys, vital statistics, and other demographic sources. These datasets are then used to estimate population levels and demographic trends.

The World Population Prospects provides historical estimates as well as future projections. Its 2024 revision incorporates demographic information for countries and regions across the world.

This is important because population figures published by different organizations may not always be identical. Differences can result from the reference date, methodology, census information, migration assumptions, or revision cycle.

Why Population Data Matters

Population statistics are used by governments, businesses, researchers, international organizations, and policymakers.

Government Planning

Governments use demographic data to plan schools, hospitals, roads, housing, transportation, water systems, electricity networks, and other public services.

Economic Planning

Population size affects the potential labor force, consumer demand, tax base, and size of domestic markets.

Healthcare

Age structure and population growth help governments estimate future demand for hospitals, doctors, medicines, maternal services, elderly care, and other healthcare resources.

Education

Countries with large young populations require significant investment in schools, teachers, universities, vocational training, and employment opportunities.

Infrastructure

Rapidly growing populations can create greater demand for housing, transportation, water, sanitation, energy, and communications infrastructure.

Business and Investment

Population size can influence market potential. Companies often examine population growth, income levels, urbanization, age distribution, and household size when assessing consumer markets.

The Economic Importance of Highly Populated Countries

A large population can provide significant economic advantages, but population size alone does not determine national wealth.

A country with hundreds of millions of people may have a large labor force and consumer market while still having relatively low income per person.

Likewise, a smaller country can have a much higher GDP per capita and living standard.

The economic importance of population therefore depends on factors such as productivity, education, infrastructure, technology, natural resources, institutional quality, employment, and income distribution.

Large Population Does Not Mean High Standard of Living

Population rankings should not be interpreted as rankings of prosperity.

India, China, the United States, Indonesia, and Pakistan all have enormous populations, but their economic structures, income levels, productivity, healthcare systems, infrastructure, and standards of living differ substantially.

For comparisons of living standards, indicators such as GDP per capita, purchasing power, life expectancy, education, poverty rates, and human development are more appropriate than total population.

Population and Global Influence

Population can contribute to a country’s international influence by providing a large domestic market, workforce, military recruitment pool, diplomatic constituency, and economic base.

However, population is only one component of national power.

Economic productivity, technological capabilities, natural resources, military capacity, political institutions, geographic position, education, and international alliances can also have major effects.

This is why a smaller country can sometimes exercise considerably greater economic or geopolitical influence than its population size would suggest.

Future of the World’s Most Populated Countries

The global population ranking is expected to change significantly over the coming decades.

India is projected to remain one of the world’s largest populations for the foreseeable future. China, by contrast, is expected to experience continued population decline and aging under the UN’s medium projection.

Pakistan and Nigeria are expected to become increasingly prominent in the global ranking. The United Nations projects that Pakistan will eventually move ahead of the United States, while Nigeria is also projected to become one of the world’s largest populations.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is another country expected to experience substantial long-term population growth.

The UN’s long-range projections indicate that the countries dominating the global population ranking today will not necessarily remain in the same positions throughout the century.

Global Population Growth Is Slowing

Although the world population continues to increase, the rate of population growth has declined substantially.

This is largely associated with falling fertility rates across many countries.

The United Nations’ 2024 revision projects that the global population will reach a peak during this century before beginning a gradual decline under its medium projection.

This represents a major demographic transition from the rapid population growth experienced during the 20th century.

Africa’s Growing Role in Global Demographics

Africa is expected to account for a growing proportion of the world’s population.

Many African countries have young populations, relatively high fertility, and considerable population momentum. As a result, the continent is expected to contribute a large share of future global population growth.

Nigeria is particularly important because of its current population size and long-term growth projections. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, and other countries are also expected to experience substantial demographic expansion.

Asia’s Changing Demographic Structure

Asia will remain home to a huge share of the world’s population, but its demographic structure is changing rapidly.

Several Asian countries have experienced major fertility declines. Japan, South Korea, China, and other countries face significant population aging, while countries such as India, Indonesia, and Pakistan have younger demographic structures.

This means that Asia’s future demographic story will not simply be about population growth. It will increasingly involve aging, urbanization, migration, workforce changes, and differences in fertility between countries.

Population Rankings and Census Data

A country’s official census can sometimes produce a different figure from an international population estimate.

This does not necessarily mean one figure is incorrect. Census counts refer to specific dates and use national methodologies, while international organizations may produce estimates for a common reference year using demographic models.

For international comparisons, using a single consistent dataset is generally preferable because it makes the ranking more comparable across countries.

For this reason, this article uses the UN World Population Prospects 2024 dataset as the principal source for the 2025 population estimates. Our World in Data’s population dataset likewise identifies the UN World Population Prospects 2024 as its source for 2025 country figures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most populated country in the world?

India is the world’s most populous country based on the latest UN population estimates used for the 2025 ranking.

Which country has the second-largest population?

China has the second-largest population in the world. Its population is now declining, while India remains the world’s largest population.

What are the five most populated countries?

The five most populous countries in the 2025 estimates are India, China, the United States, Indonesia, and Pakistan.

Which country has the largest population in Africa?

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and is also among the world’s largest national populations.

Which country has the largest population in South America?

Brazil is the most populous country in South America.

Is Pakistan one of the world’s most populated countries?

Yes. Pakistan is among the five most populous countries and is projected to become even more prominent in future global population rankings.

Is China still the most populated country?

No. India overtook China as the world’s most populous country in the UN’s demographic estimates. China remains second.

Does Russia have the world’s largest population?

No. Russia has one of the world’s largest populations, but India, China, the United States, Indonesia, and Pakistan all have larger populations.

Does the most populated country have the largest land area?

No. Population size and land area are separate measurements. Russia has the world’s largest total area, while India has the largest population.

What is the difference between population and population density?

Population is the total number of people living in a country. Population density measures how many people live within a particular unit of land area.

Can population rankings change?

Yes. Rankings can change because of differences in births, deaths, migration, fertility, population aging, census revisions, and demographic projections.

Why is Africa’s population growing rapidly?

Many African countries have young populations and relatively high fertility rates. A large young population also creates population momentum, contributing to continued growth.

Why is China’s population declining?

China’s population decline is associated primarily with very low fertility combined with an aging population. The UN projects substantial long-term population decline under its medium scenario.

Why is India’s population so large?

India has a long history of large populations supported by extensive agricultural regions, major river systems, historically high fertility, and a large population base accumulated over many generations.

Which continent has the largest population?

Asia is the world’s most populous continent.

Will India remain the world’s most populous country?

India is projected to remain among the world’s largest populations for decades. The UN’s long-term projections show India remaining at the top of the global ranking through much of the century.

Will Pakistan’s population continue to grow?

The UN projects substantial population growth in Pakistan over the coming decades, with Pakistan becoming increasingly prominent in the global population ranking.

Will Nigeria become one of the world’s largest countries by population?

Yes. Nigeria is projected to experience major population growth and is expected to become one of the world’s largest populations later this century.

Are population estimates exact?

No. Population estimates are statistical estimates and can change as new census, migration, fertility, mortality, and other demographic information becomes available.

Why do different websites show different population figures?

Different websites may use different sources, reference dates, estimation methods, or revisions. Using the same dataset is therefore important when comparing countries.

Key Takeaways

• India is the world’s most populous country.
• China ranks second, followed by the United States.
• Indonesia and Pakistan occupy fourth and fifth place in the 2025 ranking.
• Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country.
• Brazil is South America’s most populous country.
• Asia remains the world’s largest population region.
• Africa is expected to account for a growing share of future global population growth.
• Population size is different from population density.
• Population size is also different from population growth rate.
• Fertility, mortality, migration, age structure, and population momentum influence demographic change.
• China is experiencing population decline and rapid demographic aging.
• Pakistan and Nigeria are expected to become increasingly important in future global population rankings.
• Population size alone does not determine economic prosperity or living standards.
• Population estimates can change when new census and demographic information becomes available.

Sources:

• United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division — World Population Prospects 2024. The UN’s principal global population dataset and the underlying source for the estimates and projections discussed in this article. United Nations World Population Prospects 2024
• Our World in Data — Sources of Population Dataset. Its 2025 country population dataset identifies the United Nations World Population Prospects 2024 as the source for the country estimates. Our World in Data: Population Dataset Sources
• Our World in Data — UN World Population Prospects 2024. Provides analysis of the UN’s latest population revision and global demographic trends. Our World in Data: UN Population Prospects 2024