Put together, these ten countries make up around 57% of the world’s total population. This means most of the world’s entire human population lives in just one of the following ten countries. What are the biggest countries in the world? Read on and find out!
This ranking lists the Top 10 biggest countries in the world by population. Click the following for the ranking of the Top 10 largest countries in the world by land/area size.
The 10 Biggest Countries in the World 2023 (by population)
1. India
Population: 1.42 billion (~17.8% of the world’s population)
Since 2022, India is now the most populous country on Earth with more than 1.4 billion people living in the South Asian country. A relatively high birth rate compared to China, made it only a matter of time before India would overtake China as the biggest country in the world and now it has become fact. It#s likely that India will remain the biggest country in the world by population for many years to come. Currently, 17.8% of all humans, which means every 5th to 6th existing human, live in India – more than in any other country on this planet.
2. China
Population: 1.41 billion (~17.6% of the world’s population)
With a population of around 1.4 billion people, China is now the second biggest country on Earth by population. China actually has been the most populous country on the planet for most of the last 100 years. But China has also been experiencing decreasing birth rates in the last few decades which resulted in a drop from the number 1 position in 2022. That being said, 17.6% of all humans still currently live in the People’s Republic of China.
3. United States of America
Population: 334.2 million (~4.2% of the world’s population)
Following the top two biggest countries in the world at quite some distance, comes the USA. With its now around 334 million people, the United States has experienced a big population explosion over the last few decades. While birth rates have actually been declining in the United States, immigration played the biggest factor in driving up the population number in the U.S. Around 4.2% of humanity now lives in the United States of America.
4. Indonesia
Population: 281.0 million (~3.5% of the world’s population)
With almost exactly 281 million people living in the country, Indonesia follows in fourth place of the biggest countries in the world. The Southeast Asian country, which consists of several islands, has experienced rapid growth in population during the last half-century. This number is also expected to grow even further. As of now, around 3.5% of the world’s total human population lives in Indonesia.
5. Pakistan
Population: 232.8 million (~2.9% of the world’s population)
Pakistan is the fifth most populous country in the world, having recently overtaken Brazil in terms of population thanks to the country’s relatively high birthrate. The South Asian country has a population of more than 232 million people which means around 2.9% of the world’s human population currently lives in Pakistan.
6. Nigeria
Population: 219.4 million (~2.7% of the world’s population)
Having crossed the 200 million mark only in the 21st Century and thanks to a very high birth rate by world standards, Nigeria is now the sixth most populous country on Earth with a population of more than 219 million people. The Western African country has experienced an extreme explosion of its population ever since becoming independent from the United Kingdom in 1960. Around 2.7% of all humans now live in Nigeria.
7. Brazil
Population: 216.5 million (~2.7% of the world’s population)
Brazil is more than just Rio de Janeiro. In fact, Rio isn’t even the largest city in the country. In total, Brazil currently has a population of more than 216 million people and by that is the 7th most populous country in the world. Due to declining birth rates in the by far largest South American country, Brazil has lost quite a lot of places in the ranking of the biggest countries in the world in recent years, but as of now, around 2.7% of all humans do still live in the country of Samba.
8. Bangladesh
Population: 168.9 million (~2.1% of the world’s population)
Alongside India and Pakistan, Bangladesh is the next South Asian country that finds itself in the Top 10 of the biggest countries in the world by population. Bangladesh now has a population of almost 169 million people, representing currently around 2.1% of the world’s population.
9. Russia
Population 146.1 million (~1.8% of the world’s population)
The world’s biggest country by size is also the world’s ninth-largest country by population. Russia has a population of a little bit over 146 million people. 77% of that population lives in Russia’s much smaller European part. In total, Russia is currently home to around 1.8% of the world’s population.
10. Mexico
Population: 132.4 million (~1.7% of the world’s population)
Mexico completes the Top 10 of the biggest countries in the world by population. The North American country has a population of a bit over 132 million. This means that roughly 1.7% of all humans currently live in Mexico.
The 10 Biggest Countries in the World 2023
(by population)
(as of February 2023)
| Top 10 Biggest Countries in the World: |
|---|
| 1. INDIA 1.42 billion people ~ 17.8% of the world’s population |
| 2. CHINA 1.41 billion people ~ 17.6% of the world’s population |
| 3. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 334.2 million people ~ 4.2% of the world’s population |
| 4. INDONESIA 281.0 million people ~ 3.5% of the world’s population |
| 5. PAKISTAN 232.8 million people ~ 2.9% of the world’s population |
| 6. NIGERIA 219.4 million people ~ 2.7% of the world’s population |
| 7. BRAZIL 216.5 million people ~ 2.7% of the world’s population |
| 8. BANGLADESH 168.9 million people ~ 2.1% of the world’s population |
| 9. RUSSIA 146.1 million people ~ 1.8% of the world’s population |
| 10. MEXICO 132.4 million people ~ 1.7% of the world’s population |
| Top 10 biggest countries in the world by population and respective share of the total human population. All put together, these 10 countries represent 57% of the total human population. Updated as of 2023. |
Top 10 biggest countries in the world by population.