Top Countries — Most Populous

China ranks second at 1.408 billion, but its population has effectively stopped growing, with fewer births each year than deaths in some provinces, marking a historic demographic plateau.

The United States places third with 340.1 million people, a modest increase driven primarily by immigration, maintaining its comfortable lead over fourth-place Indonesia.

Indonesia, with 284.4 million people, is the largest archipelagic nation and Southeast Asia's demographic anchor, though its growth rate has slowed significantly in recent years.

Pakistan, home to 241.5 million, is the third most populous country in Southern Asia and growing rapidly, projected to overtake Indonesia within 15 years.

Nigeria, Africa's most populous country at 223.8 million, is growing faster than any other top-ten nation, with projections suggesting it could reach third place by 2050.

Brazil, the largest country in South America, has 213.4 million people but its population is growing slowly, slipping from fifth place a decade ago to seventh.

Bangladesh, with 169.8 million people in an area smaller than 150,000 square kilometers, remains one of the world's most densely populated nations despite a falling fertility rate.

Russia ranks ninth with 146 million people spread across 17 million square kilometers, making it the least densely populated country in the top ten—a stark outlier.

Mexico rounds out the top ten with 130.6 million people, the second-most populous country in the Americas, edging out Japan, which has fallen to eleventh due to population decline.

China ranks second at 1.408 billion, but its population has effectively stopped growing, with fewer births each year than deaths in some provinces, marking a historic demographic plateau.

The United States places third with 340.1 million people, a modest increase driven primarily by immigration, maintaining its comfortable lead over fourth-place Indonesia.

Indonesia, with 284.4 million people, is the largest archipelagic nation and Southeast Asia's demographic anchor, though its growth rate has slowed significantly in recent years.

Pakistan, home to 241.5 million, is the third most populous country in Southern Asia and growing rapidly, projected to overtake Indonesia within 15 years.

Nigeria, Africa's most populous country at 223.8 million, is growing faster than any other top-ten nation, with projections suggesting it could reach third place by 2050.

Brazil, the largest country in South America, has 213.4 million people but its population is growing slowly, slipping from fifth place a decade ago to seventh.

Bangladesh, with 169.8 million people in an area smaller than 150,000 square kilometers, remains one of the world's most densely populated nations despite a falling fertility rate.

Russia ranks ninth with 146 million people spread across 17 million square kilometers, making it the least densely populated country in the top ten—a stark outlier.

Mexico rounds out the top ten with 130.6 million people, the second-most populous country in the Americas, edging out Japan, which has fallen to eleventh due to population decline.