Nations vary not just in their languages, cultures, and histories, but also in their size. From big nations to micronations, the populations of the currently almost 200 countries around the world have quite a wide range. The number of inhabitants of the ten biggest countries by population also varies, but each of those countries has more than 100 million people living within their borders.
Put together, these ten countries make up around 58% of the world’s total population of over eight billion people. 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!
Note: This ranking lists the top ten 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 2024
(by population)
1. India
Population: 1.44 billion (~ 18.0% of the world’s population)
India remains 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 it has become a fact. India will likely remain the biggest country in the world by population for many years to come. Currently, the biggest among the biggest countries in the world is inhabited by 18% of all humans. In other words, one in five existing human beings now lives in India – more than in any other country on this planet.
2. China
Population: 1.42 billion (~ 17.8% 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 One position back in 2022. That being said, 17.8% of all humans still currently live in the People’s Republic of China.
3. United States of America
Population: 335.9 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 341 million people, the United States has experienced a big population explosion over the last few decades. It is also the biggest country by population outside of Asia. 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: 279.8 million (~3.5% of the world’s population)
With almost exactly 280 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 its 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: 245.2 million (~3.1% 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 very high birthrate. The South Asian country has a population of more than 245 million people which means around 3.1% of the world’s human population currently lives in Pakistan.
6. Nigeria
Population: 226.7 million (~2.8% 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 has recently overtaken Brazil and is now the sixth most populous country on Earth with a population of more than 226 million people. It is also the by far most populous country in Africa. The Western African country has experienced an extreme explosion in its population since becoming independent from the United Kingdom in 1960. Around 2.8% of all humans now live in Nigeria.
7. Brazil
Population: 217.7 million (~2.7% of the world’s population)
Brazil comes seventh among the biggest countries in the world by population. In total, Brazil currently has a population of more than 217 million people. This makes the country still the by far most populous in South America and also the biggest in all of Latin America. However, due to declining birth rates, Brazil has lost quite a lot of places in the ranking of the biggest countries in the world in recent years. But around 2.7% of all humans still currently live in the country of Samba.
8. Bangladesh
Population: 174.7 million (~2.2% of the world’s population)
Alongside India and Pakistan, Bangladesh is the next South Asian country that finds itself among the ten biggest countries in the world by population. It is also among the most densely populated countries anywhere in the world. Bangladesh now has a population of over 174 million people, representing currently around 2.2% of the world’s population.
9. Russia
Population 144.2 million (~1.8% of the world’s population)
The world’s largest country by size is also the world’s ninth-biggest country by population. The country that stretches across both Asia and Europe, has experienced some decline in its population due to low birthrates and high emigration. Russia now has a population of a little bit over 144 million people. Around 75% 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: 129.4 million (~1.6% of the world’s population)
Mexico completes the top ten ranking of the biggest countries in the world by population. The North American country has a population of a bit over 129 million people. This means that roughly 1.6% of all humans currently live in Mexico.
The 10 Biggest Countries in the World 2024
(by population)
| 1. INDIA | 1.44 billion people | ~ 18.0% of the world’s human population |
| 2. CHINA | 1.42 billion people | ~ 17.8% of the world’s human population |
| 3. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | 335.9 million people | ~ 4.2% of the world’s human population |
| 4. INDONESIA | 278.9 million people | ~ 3.5% of the world’s human population |
| 5. PAKISTAN | 245.2 million people | ~ 3.1% of the world’s human population |
| 6. NIGERIA | 226.7 million people | ~ 2.8% of the world’s human population |
| 7. BRAZIL | 217.7 million people | ~ 2.7% of the world’s human population |
| 8. BANGLADESH | 174.7 million people | ~ 2.2% of the world’s human population |
| 9. RUSSIA | 144.2 million people | ~ 1.8% of the world’s human population |
| 10. MEXICO | 129.4 million people | ~ 1.6% of the world’s human population |
The ten biggest countries in the world by population and respective share of the total human population. All put together, these ten countries represent around 58% of the world’s total human population.
