The 20 Most Populated Countries in the World (2025)
As of 2025, the world's 20 most populous countries account for roughly 72% of all people on Earth. These nations — spread across Asia, Africa, and the Americas — represent an extraordinary range of cultures, economies, and demographic trajectories. Here is a detailed look at each one, with key population statistics and context.
#1
🇮🇳
India
South Asia
1.44BPopulation
0.9%Annual Growth
17.7%Share of World
India officially surpassed China as the world's most populous country in April 2023, according to the United Nations. With over 1.44 billion people and a median age of just 28 years, India has an enormous and young workforce. The country's total fertility rate has fallen to approximately 2.0 — just below replacement level — meaning growth will slow considerably in coming decades. India is currently one of the world's fastest-growing major economies, and its young demographics give it a potential economic advantage that demographers call the "demographic dividend."
#2
🇨🇳
China
East Asia
1.41BPopulation
−0.1%Annual Growth
17.3%Share of World
China's population peaked around 2022 and has been declining since — a direct consequence of its one-child policy (1980–2015) and now-deeply-ingrained preferences for smaller families. The country faces serious demographic headwinds: a rapidly aging population, a shrinking workforce, and a birth rate that remains stubbornly low despite government incentives to have more children. China's median age is 39 — significantly older than India's — and the UN projects China's population could fall below 1 billion by the end of this century.
#3
🇺🇸
United States
North America
342MPopulation
0.5%Annual Growth
4.2%Share of World
The United States is the world's third most populous country and the largest high-income nation by population. Growth is driven primarily by immigration, as the native birth rate (approximately 1.6 children per woman) is well below replacement. The US has one of the most ethnically diverse populations of any large country, and its demographic composition continues to shift. By 2050, the Census Bureau projects that no single racial or ethnic group will constitute a majority of the US population.
#4
🇮🇩
Indonesia
Southeast Asia
279MPopulation
1.0%Annual Growth
3.4%Share of World
Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago nation, spread across more than 17,000 islands. It is also the world's most populous Muslim-majority country. The country has made significant progress in reducing poverty and improving health outcomes, which has contributed to declining birth rates. Indonesia's fertility rate has dropped from 5.6 in 1970 to around 2.2 today. The capital Jakarta is one of the world's most densely populated cities, though the government has been building a new capital, Nusantara, on the island of Borneo.
#5
🇵🇰
Pakistan
South Asia
247MPopulation
2.0%Annual Growth
3.0%Share of World
Pakistan is one of the fastest-growing large countries in the world, with a fertility rate of around 3.4 children per woman. The country has a very young population — over 60% are under 30 — and is adding approximately 5 million people per year. This rapid growth puts enormous pressure on schools, healthcare, water resources, and job markets. Pakistan is projected to reach 400 million people by mid-century, potentially overtaking the United States as the third most populous country in the world.
#6
🇧🇷
Brazil
South America
218MPopulation
0.6%Annual Growth
2.7%Share of World
Brazil is the largest country in Latin America by both area and population. Its fertility rate has fallen dramatically — from 6.3 in the 1960s to around 1.7 today — one of the sharpest declines in the developing world. This rapid demographic transition means Brazil's population will likely peak within the next decade and then begin a slow decline. Brazil is a highly urbanized country, with over 87% of the population living in cities. São Paulo, with over 22 million people in its metropolitan area, is one of the 10 largest cities on Earth.
#7
🇳🇬
Nigeria
West Africa
225MPopulation
2.5%Annual Growth
2.8%Share of World
Nigeria is Africa's most populous nation and one of the fastest-growing large countries anywhere in the world. With a fertility rate of approximately 5.3 children per woman and a population growing at 2.5% annually, Nigeria adds roughly 5.5 million people to its population each year. The United Nations projects that Nigeria will surpass the United States as the third most populous country in the world before 2050, and could reach 400–500 million people by 2100. Lagos, already one of Africa's megacities, is projected to become one of the world's largest cities by mid-century.
Countries Ranked #8 through #20
#8🇧🇩Bangladesh
173M#9🇷🇺Russia
143M#10🇪🇹Ethiopia
132M#11🇲🇽Mexico
130M#12🇯🇵Japan
123M#13🇵🇭Philippines
116M#14🇨🇩DR Congo
108M#15🇪🇬Egypt
106M#16🇻🇳Vietnam
98M#17🇮🇷Iran
91M#18🇹🇷Turkey
85M#19🇩🇪Germany
84M#20🇹🇭Thailand
72MKey Takeaways: What These Rankings Tell Us
Looking at the most populated countries together reveals some important patterns about where the world is headed:
- Asia dominates. 14 of the top 20 most populous countries are in Asia (including the Middle East). Asia is home to approximately 60% of the world's total population — a proportion that is expected to remain roughly stable through 2050 before gradually declining.
- Africa is the story of the future. Nigeria (#7) and DR Congo (#14) and Ethiopia (#10) are among the fastest-growing countries on the list. Africa's share of global population is projected to rise from 17% today to around 40% by 2100.
- Wealthy nations are shrinking. Japan, Russia, and Germany are all in the top 20 despite having aging populations and fertility rates well below replacement. Without immigration, their populations would be declining faster.
- The biggest aren't always the most dense. Russia ranks #9 by population but is the world's largest country by area — making it one of the least densely populated on this list. Bangladesh, by contrast, has a density of over 1,200 people per square kilometer, making it among the most densely populated large countries on Earth.
- Growth rates vary enormously. Nigeria grows at 2.5% per year while Japan shrinks at −0.4%. At these rates, Nigeria will nearly double in 30 years while Japan's population continues its long decline.
Countries Projected to Rise in Rankings by 2050
The rankings above will look quite different by mid-century. Based on UN projections, the following shifts are expected:
- Nigeria is projected to surpass the United States and potentially Indonesia to reach the top 3 by 2050
- DR Congo and Ethiopia are likely to break into the top 10, with the DRC possibly reaching 200 million people
- Tanzania and Niger are not currently in the top 20 but may enter it by 2050 due to very high growth rates
- Japan and Russia are expected to drop further in the rankings as their populations decline
- Germany may leave the top 20 entirely if immigration slows
Explore Live Population Counts for Every Country
You can see real-time population estimates for every country in the world using the Country Search tool on our main page. Simply type any country name and watch live birth and death counts update in real time, along with key demographic statistics sourced from the United Nations and World Bank.
Go to LiveHumans — Live World Population Counter
Sources: United Nations World Population Prospects 2024; World Bank Open Data; CIA World Factbook 2026. Population figures are 2025 estimates rounded to the nearest million. Learn more about our data sources.