Most Populous Countries (2024)

The World's Most Populous Nations

India surpassed China as the world's most populous country in 2023 — a historic demographic milestone. Together, these two nations account for over 35% of all people on Earth. The top 10 most populous countries — also including the United States, Indonesia, Pakistan, Brazil, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Russia, and Mexico — contain roughly 60% of the global population.

The demographic future is being reshaped by diverging fertility rates. Sub-Saharan Africa is the only region still experiencing rapid population growth — Nigeria is projected to become the world's third most populous country by the 2040s, surpassing the United States. Meanwhile, China's population is already declining due to its ultra-low fertility rate, and Japan, South Korea, and much of Europe face shrinking populations. The UN projects the world will reach about 10.4 billion by the 2080s before beginning a gradual decline.

Population size alone doesn't determine economic power — what matters is the interaction between population, age structure, and productivity. Countries with young, growing populations have the potential for a "demographic dividend" if they can educate and employ their youth. Countries with aging, shrinking populations face labor shortages and pension system strain. See our world population analysis for deeper demographic trends.