If you ever feel like you’re alone in the world, then you need to check out this list of countries with the highest population in the world. When we consider the size of populations around the globe, it’s not surprising that many of these countries are located in Asia or Africa, which have historically been more populous than European nations or other parts of the world. There are over 7 billion people on earth right now and even though population growth rates are slowing worldwide, estimates say that we could reach as many as 12 billion by the year 2100!
1) China
With a population of over 1.386 billion people, China is the most populous country in the world. That’s about 19% of the world’s population! The country has a long history and rich culture. Plus, it’s the world’s second largest economy. But all those people crammed into one place comes with some challenges. For example, air pollution is a big problem in China. The good news is, the government is taking steps to improve the situation. For example, they’re encouraging more people to use public transportation and reducing vehicle emissions. Let’s hope these efforts help make life better for everyone in China!
2) India
India, with a population of over 1.3 billion people, is the world’s second most populous country after China. It is also the world’s largest democracy and home to some of the most ancient civilizations. India is a land of great diversity, with a rich history and culture. The country is also one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. With more than half of its citizens living below the poverty line, however, it has far to go before it reaches full development.
India’s diverse climate ranges from tropical savannahs along the coast to cooler Himalayan peaks in the north.
India’s food crops are wheat, rice, sugarcane, maize and barley; other crops include fruits such as bananas, oranges and mangoes; spices such as turmeric; pulses including peas and lentils; tea from leaves grown on plantations near Darjeeling (located in West Bengal); coffee from Coorg (in Karnataka) ; ginger from Kerala
3) United States
The United States is by far the most populous country in North America, with a population of over 327 million people. That’s nearly four times the population of Canada, and over 20 times the population of Mexico! The US is also the third most populous country in the world, behind only China and India. In terms of land area, however, the US is only about half the size of Russia. So what explains America’s high population density? A large part of it has to do with historical immigration patterns. immigrants have been coming to America for centuries in search of a better life. And while some have returned to their home countries, many have stayed and made the US their new home. Today, about 13% of Americans are foreign-born. And there’s no sign that migration trends will slow down anytime soon. While it may be true that one person leaves or that more than one person enters, those who stay tend to create families, procreate and work on the development of their communities. Immigration drives population growth in America more than any other factor, but what does that mean for sustainability? It could mean we need even more sustainable lifestyles than we already have.
4) Indonesia
With over 261 million people, Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world. It’s also the most populous Muslim-majority country, as well as the largest island country. Interestingly, Indonesia’s population is expected to surpass that of the United States by 2040. That would make it the third-largest country with a projected population of 389 million. By 2050, there will be more Indonesians than residents of India and China combined. The current median age in Indonesia is 27 years old. In addition, the population of children under 14 has decreased from 39% to 34%. According to a study published in Nature Communications, the fertility rate declined from 3.3 births per woman during 1980–1989 to 2.2 births per woman during 1990–1999. Fertility rates among Indonesian Muslims have been found to have dropped faster than among Christians or Hindus.
5) Brazil
Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world, with a population of over 209 million people. It’s also the largest country in South America, and home to some of the most iconic landmarks and natural wonders on the planet. From the Amazon rainforest to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is a country that has it all.
The population of Brazil has been growing steadily for years, and it shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. In fact, projections show that the population could reach as high as 250 million by 2050. That would make Brazil one of the most populous countries in the world, second only to China and India.
So what’s driving this growth? Experts attribute much of it to the rise in fertility rates among Brazilian women. There are multiple factors at play here, including higher living standards and greater access to contraception. But many experts also believe that social programs geared towards families have played an important role.
Brazilian President Michel Temer recently announced an ambitious new policy called Bolsa Familia (or Family Grant), which provides small monthly stipends or payments exclusively for mothers who attend prenatal visits and take their children to see doctors when they’re sick or injured. Since its implementation, poverty rates have fallen dramatically, while birth rates have increased exponentially!
6) Pakistan
With a population of over 207 million people, Pakistan is the sixth most populous country in the world. That’s more than double the population of Canada! And with a population density of over 500 people per square kilometer, it’s also one of the most densely populated countries. Not to mention, Pakistan is also one of the fastest-growing countries in the world, with a growth rate of over 2% per year. Which means that by 2020 there will be over 300 million people living in Pakistan. It may not seem like such a big deal right now, but if this trend continues for 50 years, that would mean close to 1 billion people would live in Pakistan by 2100!
7) Nigeria
With a population of over 200 million people, Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the seventh most populous country in the world. Nigeria is a culturally diverse country, with over 500 ethnic groups, and its official language is English. The country’s economy is diversified, with sectors including agriculture, oil and gas, manufacturing, and services. Nigeria has a young population, with 60% of the population under the age of 25. The nation also has one of the highest birth rates in the world, at 6.8 births per woman. Nigerians are generally tolerant of other religions and cultures, but Islam dominates many aspects of life throughout the country. Christianity is the largest minority religion, practiced by almost 20% of the population. However, there are also large numbers of Muslims (47%), followed by those who practice traditional beliefs (36%).
In addition to being a religiously diverse country, Nigeria is home to many different ethnicities and languages. There are hundreds of languages spoken across the country, which include Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Fulani/Fulbe. Some parts of the country have their own regional languages as well; for example Kanuri in the northeast and Edo in south-central Nigeria.
Nigeria has an agricultural economy that produces crops such as yams and cocoa beans for export as well as palm oil and rubber for domestic consumption.
8) Bangladesh
Bangladesh is a country located in southern Asia. The country is bordered by India to the west, north, and east, and Burma to the southeast. Bangladesh has a population of over 161 million people, making it the eighth most populous country in the world. The capital and largest city is Dhaka.
The top 10 countries with the highest population are: China, India, United States of America, Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan, Nigeria and Japan. Pakistan is one of those countries that come in at number 6 with 187 million inhabitants. If you’re not familiar with this area, Pakistan is situated on the western side of India and borders Afghanistan to its northwest.
Pakistan’s main language (Urdu) has similar roots as those found in Arabic, Persian, and Sanskrit.
This country also borders Iran which can make for some great tourism opportunities for travelers who would like to visit two very different areas within one trip!
9) Mexico
With a population of over 123 million people, Mexico is the 11th most populous country in the world and the most populous Spanish-speaking country. It is also the second most populous country in Latin America after Brazil. Most of Mexico’s population is concentrated in the central and southern regions of the country, where the majority of the country’s urban areas are located. The northern region of Mexico is sparsely populated. The only Canadian province with more than 50% French speakers is Quebec (62%). France: With a population of over 66 million people, France is the 8th most populous country in the world. France accounts for almost 1/5 of all Western European citizens and its territory comprises 95% of that same group. France has only 25% of its territory remaining as farmland and it has among the lowest fertility rates on Earth.
10) Philippines
The Philippines is a country located in Southeast Asia with a population of more than 100 million people. The Philippines is an archipelago of 7,107 islands, making it the second-largest archipelago in the world. The Philippines has a tropical climate and is home to some of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth. The Philippines is also one of the most populous countries in the world, with a population density of more than 300 people per square kilometer. With 99% of its residents living in urban areas, poverty levels are high. Many Filipinos are employed in low-paying informal jobs, such as street vending or selling fruit at a public market. About 27% of the population lives below the poverty line and about 16% live in slums that lack basic sanitation. Most Filipinos practice Roman Catholicism and Islam. Languages spoken include Filipino (based on Tagalog), English, and Spanish.
