Top 100 of the most populated countries of the world
China's 2019 population is 1.43 billion, based on United Nations projections. China, officially the People's Republic of China, is the largest country in the world today. In January 2013, the Chinese Government released data confirming that the population of China was an impressive 1,354,040,000, although this does not include Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau. As of September 2013, that number had grown even further to 1,360,720,000.
India's 2019 population is estimated at 1.37 billion based on the most recent UN data. India, located in South Asia, is bordered by the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean, and is also bordered by the countries of Pakistan, Bhutan, China, Nepal, Myanmar (formerly Burma), and Bangladesh. India is the world's 7th largest country by area and the 2nd most populous country with more than 1.3 billion residents.
According to the US Census Bureau's population clock, the estimated 2018 United States population (February 2018) is 327.16 million. This is a bit higher than the 329.06 million estimated by the United Nations. By population, the United States of America is the 3rd largest country in the world, falling far behind China (1.4 billion) and India (1.25 billion). Its most populous states are California (39.5 million) and Texas (27 million), and its most populous city is New York City (8.5 million).
Indonesia is a sovereign archipelago in Southeast Asia and the fourth most populous country on earth after China, India, and the United States. Indonesia is made up of more than 17,000 islands with over 1.9 million square miles of land, which makes it the 4th largest country. Indonesia has a population estimated at 270.63 million in 2019, up from the 2015 estimate of 257 million. About 56.7% of Indonesia's population lives on Java, the most populous island. The population density of Indonesia is currently at 140.08 individuals per square kilometer.
The country of Pakistan has a history that dates back to almost 2,500 years B.C. It is considered to be one of the most highly advanced and highly developed civilizations of those ancient times. Finally becoming a sovereign state (and eventually recognized as an official mark on the map of the world) on August 14, 1947, this country is known for having deep roots in the Islamic religion. The country’s capital is Islamabad, and the country features four different provinces: North West Frontier Province, Sindh, Balochistan, and Punjab.
Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in South America and Latin America, and the fifth largest country in terms of population and size. The current population estimate for 2019 is 211.05 million. Most of Brazil is sparsely populated with a population density of 24.66 people per square kilometer (62 per square mile), which ranks 6th in the world. The largest city is Sao Paulo with more than 11.9 million residents and a metropolitan population of 21.1 million. The capital, Brasilia, has a population of 2.8 million.
Nigeria, officially known as the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country that is located on the western coast of Africa. The country features 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, which is known as Abuja. The country of Nigeria features over five hundred different ethnic groups, many different languages, and declared its independence from the United Kingdom on October 1, 1960. As of 2019, the estimated population of the country is over 200.96 million, ranking 7th in the world.
Bangladesh is a large and heavily densely populated country in South Asia, bordering Burma, India, Nepal and Bhutan. Bangladesh has an estimated 2019 population of 163.05 million. Bangladesh has an estimated 2019 population of 163.05 million, up from the 2013 estimate of 156.5 million. This makes Bangladesh the 8th most populous country in the world. The country has a population density of 1,115.62 people per square kilometer,(2,889.45/square mile), which ranks 10th in the world. The surface area in Bangladesh is currently at 147,570 km² (or 56,977 square miles).
There are no official figures for the population of Russia in 2016, but the 2010 census, the results of which were released in late 2011 and early 2012, reports that the official population of Russia was 142.9 million. The most current estimate for 2019 reports that the population is around 145.87 million. The Census results are probably the most reliable indicator, but other estimates of the Russia population are available. Rosstat, the official Government statistics agency, suggested that the population of Russia in 2011 was 141.8 million, and the CIA estimated that the population was even lower: 138.7 million.
Mexico’s population is really growing in leaps and it’s touted to soon overtake the population of Japan. When this happens, Mexico will be among the ten most populous countries in the world today. As of July 2012, the population was estimated to be 114,975,406, putting Mexico as the 10th most populous nation in the world. It retains that rank with an estimated 127.58 million people in 2019. Because of this, Mexico also has the highest population for a Spanish speaking nation. The country’s population is on a steady, positive growth rate as a result of better medication and vaccines, which reduce the chances of death and increases the chances of successful births.
Japan, the island nation in East Asia, is a fairly sizable archipelago of 6,852 islands, although the four largest islands (Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku) account for 97% of its population. The last set of official figures pertaining to Japan’s population were released at the time of the 2015 census and the final statistics showed there were 127,094,745 people there, which would make Japan the 11th largest country in the world. The most recent estimate places the number lower at 126.71 million, still the world's 10th most populous country. Though in decline, it still holds that position in 2019 with an estimated 126.86 million people.
With one of the highest poverty levels in the world, Ethiopia is considered by many to be one of the most under-developed nations in the world. But within its African boundaries lies a nation filled with a rich culture and heritage. Bordered by Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan, Djibouti, Eritrea, and Somalia, Ethiopia has an estimated 2019 population of 112.08 million, which ranks 12th in the world. With a 2019 population of approximately 112.08 million, up from 2015's estimate of 98.9 million, Ethiopia is the most populous landlocked country in the continent of Africa and the second-most populous country of Africa after Nigeria. This estimate of how many people live in Ethiopia is based on the most recent United Nations projections, and makes Ethiopia the 14th most populous country in the world.
The population of the Philippines has been steadily growing for many years. It is the 13th most populated country in the world, between Mexico and Ethiopia, and grew at a rate of 1.72% between 2010 and 2015. The 2019 population is 108.12 million, according to the latest UN estimates. Philippines Area and Population Density The country of the Philippines is an archipelago made up of over 7,000 islands that total 115,831 square miles (300,000 square kilometers). Most of the islands are pretty small, but a few larger ones like Luzon and Mindanao account for a large portion of the surface area.
Egypt, known officially as the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental country which spans the southwest corner of Asia and the northeast corner of Africa. This is made possible through a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula. Most of Egypt is located in North Africa. It is bordered by both land and sea: the Mediterranean is to its North, Israel and the Gaza Strip to the Northeast, the Gulf of Aqaba to its East, the Red Sea to the East and South, Libya to the West and Sudan to the South. Egypt is one of the most populous countries in Africa and the Middle East. With a 2019 estimated population of 100.39 million, Egypt ranks 14th in the world. This is up from the last official census figure of 72.7 million in 2006.
On the eastern tip of the Indochina peninsula in southeast Asia, Vietnam is one of the larger and more densely populated countries in the region. Confirmed population figures are hard to obtain, but an estimate puts the Vietnam population in 2019 at 96.46 million, up from the 2012 estimate of 91.5 million and this figure would make the country the 15th most populous on the planet. In comparison, Vietnam has a small surface area, and at 331,210 square kilometers (128,565 square miles), this is only the world’s 65th largest in terms of landmass alone.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, also called DR Congo, DRC or the DROC, is located in Central Africa. It's the second largest country in Africa in terms of size and the 11th largest in the world. The Congo has an estimated 2019 population of 86.79 million, ranking it 16th in the world. The Democratic Republic of Congo is an almost entirely landlocked nation in sub-Saharan Africa. It is quite a sizable nation at 905,567 square miles (2,345,408 square kilometers). Even though DR Congo has a large population, the surface area gives it a low population density at 22.3 people per square mile (35.9 people per square kilometer).
Germany is a western-central European country bordered by Poland, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Austria, France, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Germany is the most populous country in the European Union with an estimated 2019 population of 83.52 million, which ranks 17th in the world. Despite a drop in the country's growth rate, its 2019 population is now estimated at 83.52 million, which makes Germany the 17th most populous country in the world. It's also the largest country in the European Union. Germany has a population density of about 227/square kilometer (583/square mile), which ranks 58th in the world.
Turkey is officially known as the Republic of Turkey. It is a transcontinental country that includes Anatolia in western Asia and East Thrace in southern Europe. It is bordered by eight countries. Along its northwest border lies Bulgaria, towards its west is Greece, and to its northeast is Georgia. Three countries border the eastern side of Turkey, namely Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan, Iran and Armenia. On the southeast border lie Syria and Iraq, and finally the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea share its southern border.
Iran, which is also called Persia or the Islamic Republic of Iran, is located in western Asia. Adjoining Iran to the north are Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Armenia, with Kazakhstan and Russia to the north across the Caspian Sea. Iran's east is bordered by Pakistan and Afghanistan, and its south is bordered by the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf. It is bordered on the west by Iraq and on the northwest by Turkey. Iran is the 18th largest country in the world with a population estimated at 82.91 million in 2019, which ranks 19th in the world.
The last official national census was carried out in Thailand back in 2010 and the country’s official population was declared at 65,479,453. Current estimates show a 2019 population in Thailand of 69.63 million, an increase from 2014's estimate of 67.7 million, making it the 20th most populous country on earth (a downgrade from its position as number 19 in 2012).
The United Kingdom's 2019 population is 67.53 million according to the most recent UN estimates. Each year in June, the Office for National Statistics releases an updated estimate based on migration and fertility statistics. The last full UK census was carried out in 2011, showing a population of 63,181,775, up from 2001’s census figure of 58,789,194. The UK is the world’s 21st largest country by population. The United Kingdom is currently growing at a rate of .61% per year. The United Kingdom includes four nations, England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Each nation has their own major cities that contribute to the population and demographics of the United Kingdom. London is the capital of the country, with 8,136,000 living within its boundaries. Glasgow in Scotland has a population of 598,830.
France, or the French Republic, is located in western Europe, with many overseas regions and territories. Metropolitan France extends from the English Channel and North Sea to the Mediterranean Sea and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Rhine, bordering Luxembourg, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Andorra, and Monaco. In 2019, the population in France is estimated to be around 65.13 million.
Italy's 2019 population is estimated at 60.55 million according to the latest UN projections. The official Census figures are more optimistic, estimating the population at 61,838,227 in 2016. Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is located in Southern Europe and bordered by France, Slovenia, Austria and Switzerland along the Alps. This famously boot-shaped country is the 4th most populous country in Europe (after France, the United Kingdom, and Germany) and the 23rd most populous in the world.
The findings in 2011 suggest that there had been a significant rise in numbers over the course of the previous ten years and that the South African population had finally hit the 50 million mark, making it the 24th largest country in the world as far as pure numbers are concerned. The estimate is 58.56 million, ranking South Africa 24th in the world.
Tanzania, officially the United Republic of Tanzania, is a relatively large country in East Africa that shares its borders with many countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The name Tanzania itself derives from the country's two states, Zanzibar and Tanganyika. Zanzibar is an archipelago off the coast of Tanzania and a semi-autonomous part of the country. Of this total population, 1.3 million reside on the islands of Zanzibar.
Sometimes known as Burma, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar - which is often shortened to Myanmar, is a sovereign state in Southeast Asia. Myanmar is the 26th most populous country in the world, and the 40th largest country by area, with a 2019 estimated population of 54.05 million.
Kenya is one of the most varied lands on the planet both in terms of its geography and its ethnic population. The Republic of Kenya sits on the equator where it's bordered by the Indian Ocean, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Somalia. In 2019, Kenya has an estimated population of 52.57 million, which ranks 27th in the world.
South Korea is officially known as The Republic of Korea and is located in the southern part of the Korea peninsula, which neighbors China to the west, Japan to the east, and North Korea to the north. The land area covers 99,392 square kilometers and has a population of 51.23 million in 2019, ranking 28th in the world. The largest city and capital is Seoul, which has a population of just under 10 million. Under its current constitution, the state is also referred to as The Sixth Republic of South Korea. The country had its first election at 1948 and operates under a powerful presidential system.
The 2019 population of Colombia is estimated at 50.34 million, which ranks 29th in the world. Colombia is officially known as the Republic of Colombia. It consists of thirty-two departments and is located on the northwestern side of South America. Colombia has an estimated 2019 population of 50.34 million, up from the 2005 census population of 42.88 million.
Spain, officially known as the Kingdom of Spain, is a sovereign state and a member state of the European Union, situated on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwest Europe. To the south, it’s bordered by the Mediterranean Sea apart from a small boundary with Gibraltar; to the north and northeast it is bordered by France, Andorra and the Bay of Biscay; while to the west and northwest it borders the Atlantic Ocean and Portugal. The 754 miles (1,214 km) of border with Portugal is the longest uninterrupted border within the European Union.
Argentina is located in southeastern South America, where it's bordered by Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, the South Atlantic Ocean, and the Drake Passage. Argentina has an estimated 2019 population of 44.78 million, which makes it the 31st most populous country in the world.
According to 2019 estimates, the population of Uganda is around 44.27 million, up significantly from 2013’s estimate of 33,640,833. However, one should remain mindful that Uganda in these estimates takes notes of all mortality accounts that it experiences due to AIDS. As a result, these accounts can possibly affect all subsequent statistics such as infant mortality, life expectancy, higher death rates, and lower population growth rates, not to mention the changes in the distribution of the population by sex and age that would not be expected otherwise. Uganda is the 32nd largest country in the world.
Ukraine is part of Eastern Europe. It shares borders with the Russian Federation to the east and northeast, and with Belarus towards the northwest border. Hungary, Slovakia and Poland are to its west; Romania and Moldova share its southwest border; and the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea are to its south and southeast borders.
Algeria, or the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, is located in North Africa. Algeria is made up of 48 provinces and more than 1,500 communes with a 2019 population estimated at 43.05 million, making it the 34th most populous country. It is also the 10th largest country and the largest country in Africa.
Sudan, officially the Republic of Sudan but sometimes referred to as North Sudan, sits along the Red Sea south of Egypt and has a population consisting mostly of descendants of migrants from the nearby Arabian Peninsula. Sudan has a total area of 1,886,068 square kilometers (728,215 square miles) and has an estimated 2019 population of 42.81 million, a significant increase from the 34,847,910 estimated in 2013. This makes Sudan the 35th biggest country in the world.
Iraq, or the Republic of Iraq, lies in western Asia encircling the Mesopotamian plain, the northwestern part of the Zagros mountain range and the eastern branch of the Syrian desert. Syria lies on the northwest border of Iraq, Turkey is to the north, Iran is east, and Jordan is to the west. It has a narrow coastline of about 58km at the North Persian Gulf.
Afghanistan's population is estimated at 38.04 million in 2019 based on the most recent UN data. It's unclear how accurate these estimates may be, given that the last census was nearly 40 years ago in 1979. This census estimated the population at 15.5 million. If the current estimate is correct, then Afghanistan would be the 37th most populous country in the world, overtaking Morocco's population ranking in 2018. Afghanistan is now just behind Canada in the world population lineup.
Poland, which is called the Republic of Poland in the official books, is located in Central Europe. To its west is Germany, to its south are Slovakia and the Czech Republic, and to the east are Ukraine and Belarus. The northern border is comprised of the Baltic Sea, Kaliningrad Oblast, Lithuania and the Russian exclave. The country constitutes a total area of 120,726 square miles (312,679 square kilometers) , which makes it the 69th largest country of the world and the ninth largest in Europe. Poland is a unitary state comprised of 16 voivodeships.
In 2019, Canada has an estimated population of 37.41 million, which ranks 39th in the world. Canada is the world's second largest country by total area (behind Russia) and the largest North American country. Canada extends from the Pacific to the Atlantic and north to the Arctic Ocean. The United States-Canadian border is the longest land border in the world.
Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is the most western of the North African countries with an alternative Arabic name that translates to "The Western Kingdom."
Saudi Arabia, officially known as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is the second largest Arab state (the first is Algeria) and comprises the majority of the Arabian Peninsula. Jordan and Iraq are on its northern border; Kuwait on its northeast; Bahrain, Qatar and United Arab Emirates to the east; Yemen to its south; Oman to its southeast; and the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea to its east. The population of the country is estimated to be around 34.27 million in 2019, which ranks 41st in the world.
The population of Uzbekistan in 2019 is 32.98 million, up from 29,559,100 in 2013 and 29,123,400 in 2011. This ranks Uzbekistan 42nd in the world. This figure is an estimate of the figures for 1 January 2014, and is provided by stat.uz, the country’s official statistical body. Their data is based on sampling 10% of the population, rather than undertaking a traditional census - the last full census to cover Uzbekistan was the 1989 Soviet Census.
Peru, officially the Republic of Peru, sits in western South America. The region has a long history of ancient cultures, including some of the oldest in the world, and finally achieved independence in 1821. Today, Peru's population is very multiethnic and in 2019 was estimated to be around 32.51 million people.
Malaysia is a federal state that has a monarchy system of governance. It is comprised of 13 large states and 3 different federal territories. Its area is about 330,803 square kilometers. The Malaysian land is divided into two parts, namely Malaysian Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia, between which the South China Sea flows. The population of Malaysia is estimated in 2019 to be around 31.95 million, which ranks 44th in the world.
Angola is a country that borders Zambia, Namibia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Angola borders the South Atlantic Ocean as well. The current population in 2019 is estimated at 31.83 million, up from 2014's estimated 22.1 million.
Ghana, officially called the Republic of Ghana, is an independent state. It is situated on the Atlantic Ocean towards the west side of Africa. Ghana consists of ten defensive regions, including many islands. Its western border is delineated by the Ivory Coast, while to its north lies Burkina Faso. East of Ghana lies Togo, while the south is bordered by the Atlantic and the Gulf of Guinea. The literal meaning of the word Ghana is Warrior King. In 2019, Ghana has an estimated population of 30.42 million, which ranks 46th in the world.
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique, is a country in Southeast Africa bordered by Zimbabwe, Swaziland, South Africa, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, and the Indian Ocean. It is also separated from the island of Madagascar by the Mozambique Channel. In 2019, Mozambique has an estimated population of 30.37 million, which ranks 47th in the world.
Yemen is an Arab country on the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula and the second-largest country in the region with a 2,000 kilometer coastline. It's also one of the oldest civilization centers in the Near East, and the first country in the Arabian peninsula to give women the right to vote. It's estimated that the 2019 population of Yemen is 29.16 million, up from 2013's estimate of 23.88 million. This ranks it 48th in the world.
The population of Nepal, as of late 2012 and early 2013, was estimated to be 29,860,686. Today, in 2019 however, it is only 28.61 million, which ranks 49th in the world.
Situated on the northern coast of South America, Venezuela – or to give it its official title, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela – is one of the larger countries on the continent. It is also the 50th largest country in the world in terms of population, with an estimated 2019 population of 28.52 million.