Top Countries — Most Populous

China's 1.408 billion population places it second, but its first decline in six decades—a 0.1% drop—means India's lead will only grow. Unlike the stable growth of #3 United States, China's fertility rate of 1.2 births per woman signals a demographic shift with long-term economic implications.

The United States ranks third at 340 million, a figure supported by 1.1 million net immigrants annually—a stark contrast to the population declines seen in #2 China and many European nations. This 0.5% yearly growth rate keeps the U.S. younger than Japan's median age of 48 years.

Indonesia's 284 million residents make it the largest Southeast Asian nation, spread across 17,000 islands. Its population grows 1.1% annually, faster than the global average of 0.9%, yet urbanization pressures mount as 56% now live in cities, straining infrastructure and resources.

Pakistan's 241 million residents make it the fifth-most populous country, with a fertility rate of 3.4 births per woman—far higher than #8 Bangladesh's 2.1 rate, creating a youthful bulge that strains schools and job markets while offering a potential demographic dividend.

Nigeria hits 224 million, leapfrogging Brazil to claim Africa's largest population—a milestone driven by a fertility rate above five children per woman, which is more than double the global average of 2.3 and shows no sign of rapid decline.

Brazil's 213 million population places it seventh, but its growth has slowed to a crawl with a fertility rate of just 1.6 births per woman—well below the replacement level of 2.1 and lower than #6 Nigeria's rate, reflecting Latin America's broader trend toward sub-replacement fertility and an aging demographic profile.

Bangladesh packs 170 million people into 147,570 square kilometers, resulting in a density of 1,265 people per square kilometer—more than three times denser than #5 Pakistan—yet it has reduced fertility from 6.3 in the 1970s to 2.1 today, a faster decline than the average for South Asian countries.

Russia holds the title of the most sparsely populated large nation, with 146 million people spread across 17 million square kilometers—just 8.5 people per square kilometer. Its population has declined by roughly 0.5% annually since 2020, driven by low birth rates and emigration. This depopulation trend is steeper than that of #10 Mexico, whose rate slowed but remains positive. With more than 30% of its land in permafrost zones, Russia's demographic challenges are uniquely tied to geography and economic stagnation.

Mexico ranks 10th with 131 million people, making it 15 million fewer than Russia's #9 and the second-largest population in the Americas. Its growth rate has halved from 2.6% annually in the 1970s to about 1.2% today, as urbanization and family planning reshape demographics. This slowdown is faster than the global average decline of 0.3 percentage points per decade. Over 80% of Mexicans now live in urban areas, a shift that has cut fertility to 1.8 children per woman—below the replacement rate.