China and India Are Home to Over a Third of the World’s Population
The world population in 2017 is an estimated 7.6 billion, according to the United Nations. Roughly thirty-six percent of the world’s inhabitants reside in its two most populous countries: China and India. While China is the world’s most populous county, India is expected to overtake it by 2024, due to a population growth rate of more than double that of China.
The distribution of the world population is rapidly changing. Most regions are witnessing a decline in fertility rates and a rise in longevity. Fertility rates are below the replacement rate in 83 countries, including China. But as populations in developed countries age, Africa will see a continued surge in its young population. From 2010-15, the fertility rate in Africa was 4.7 percent, compared to 1.6 percent in Europe.
Over the course of this century, the world’s demographic profile is expected to change dramatically, as demonstrated in projections for 2030, 2050, and 2100.
Here are the world’s thirteen most populous countries in 2017, according to the United Nations:
13. Phillippines – 105 million
12. Ethiopia – 105 million
11. Japan – 127 million
10. Mexico – 129 million
9. Russian Federation – 144 million
8. Bangladesh – 165 million
7. Nigeria – 191 million
6. Pakistan – 197 million
5. Brazil – 209 million
4. Indonesia – 264 million
3. United States – 324 million
2. India – 1.339 billion
1. China – 1.410 billion
