The World's New Most Populous Country

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4 days ago

Eight billion people live on Earth. But did you know that more than half of them reside in Asian countries? China was previously considered the most populous country–but that has now changed. TRAVELBOOK reveals which nation currently has the most inhabitants and where Germany ranks.
Of course, no one knows exactly when the eight billionth person was actually born. However, according to United Nations estimates in the 'World Populations Prospect,' this occurred on November 15, 2022. Thus, more than 8 billion people now live on Earth. The world population is expected to continue growing significantly, at least according to UN experts. They estimate that by around 2080, 10.4 billion people will inhabit the Earth. This number is expected to remain stable until 2100 and then begin to decline.
Whether the 10 billion people will be distributed proportionally like the current 8 billion is unknown. The fact is that the majority of the population currently lives in Asian countries. For a long time, China held the top spot, with more than 1.4 billion people living in the 'Middle Kingdom.' However, while its population is slowly decreasing, it is steadily increasing in another Asian country, which now holds the number one spot. TRAVELBOOK knows which country this is and reveals, based on a 2022 ranking from the online portal 'Statista,' which other countries are in the top ten. Spoiler: Although it is the largest country by area, Russia does not make it into the top ranks.
The Most Populous Countries in the World
1. India
As of the end of April 2023, India is considered the most populous country in the world. According to an estimate by the 'United Nations,' India's population reached 1,425,775,850 people. Yet, India ranks only seventh among the largest countries by area!
Experts have long predicted that India would overtake China as the most populous country, as its population grows significantly faster. In 1971, India averaged six births per woman. Although this number dropped to just three births per woman over three and a half decades, it was much slower than in China. According to the 'United Nations,' India's current fertility rate is 2.0 births per woman.
2. China
With a total of 1.42 billion inhabitants, China was long the most populous country on Earth. To put large numbers into perspective: The entire population of Europe is estimated at 750 million. This means that almost twice as many people live in China as on the European continent. However, China's population is declining–while in 1971, according to the 'United Nations,' there were nearly six births per woman, the number had already drastically decreased to less than three births per woman by the late 1970s–and in 2022, China had one of the lowest fertility rates in the world (1.2 births per woman).
3. USA
The third-largest country by area ranks far behind the top two with 'only' 330 million inhabitants. This makes the United States the most populous country outside of Asia.
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4. Indonesia
Indonesia has 272 million inhabitants, making it the fourth-largest country by population. This may be surprising to some, as the Southeast Asian country is not among the 20 largest by area. In recent years, Indonesia's population has grown significantly. In 2008, there were about 40 million fewer inhabitants. Projections for the coming decades also suggest that the number will continue to rise.
5. Brazil
With its 212.6 million inhabitants, Brazil ranks as the fifth-largest country by population. This may come as a surprise to some, as the Southeast Asian country is not among the largest countries by area. However, it is expected that the number will continue to rise in the coming decades.
5. Pakistan
Pakistan's population totals 212.48 million people. The Asian country narrowly loses the fifth spot, but since it has a fertility rate of 2.0 births per woman, compared to China's lower rate, it is expected that this will soon change.
6. Nigeria
With its 211 million inhabitants, Nigeria ranks seventh in this list, and it is also the most populous country in Africa. However, while it has a high population, it also has a low life expectancy of 53.9 years, which is among the lowest in the world.
6. Bangladesh
Bangladesh has 166 million people, making it the eighth-largest country by population. For some, this may be surprising, but the country's population has been growing steadily, and forecasts for the coming decades suggest that the number will continue to rise.
7. Russia
With 146 million people, Russia is the largest country in the world by area, but it does not make it into the top ranks by population.
8. Mexico
Mexico has 128 million inhabitants, making it the tenth-largest country by population.
9. Japan
Japan has 125 million people, placing it in the eleventh position in terms of population size.
10. Egypt
With 102 million inhabitants, Egypt ranks as the thirteenth most populous country in the world.
11. Vietnam
Vietnam has 98.3 million people, making it the fifteenth-largest country by population.
12. Ethiopia
With 98.7 million people, Ethiopia ranks fourteenth in terms of population size.
13. Philippines
The Philippines has 113 million people, making it the twelfth-largest country by population.
14. Egypt
With 102 million people, Egypt ranks as the thirteenth most populous country in the world.
15. Vietnam
Vietnam has 98.3 million people, making it the fifteenth-largest country by population.
16. Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has 92 million people, ranking sixteenth in terms of population size.
17. Germany
Germany ranks seventeenth with a population of 83 million.
18. Turkey
Turkey has 84.6 million people, making it the eighteenth-largest country by population.
19. Iran
Iran has 86 million people, ranking it as the nineteenth most populous country in the world.
20. Thailand
Thailand has 69 million people, making it the twentieth-largest country by population.
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