Population of the world's countries

World population is an absolute value expressed in numbers, which characterizes the total population of the world's countries in a certain period of time. It is one of the main demographic indicators.

Example: as of 2025, India is 1.4 billion, China is 1.4 billion, and the US is 343.5 million.

Data

World population figures are calculated by the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) based on statistics and estimates from national institutions and international organizations. Some sources:

• census data;
• information on registration of births and deaths;
• Demographic and health surveys of the population;
• migration registers.

Predictions

UNDESA's Population Division assesses historical population trends from 1950 to the present and also issues population projections through 2100. For example, in 2024, it published a projection that the world population is expected to peak in the mid-2080s at 10.3 billion, and decline slightly to 10.2 billion by 2100.

How has the world population changed in the last 10 years?

As of December 31, 2024, the world population was 8,196,270,385. Over the past 10 years, this indicator has changed as follows:

• 2023 - 8,056,505,564 people, an increase of 0.87%;
• 2022 - 7,986,308,820 people, an increase of 0.86%;
• 2021 - 7,920,831,824 people, an increase of 0.80%;
• 2020 - 7,851,414,621 people, an increase of 0.90%;
• 2019 - 7,771,172,776 people, an increase of 1.02%;
• 2018 - 7,688,632,785 people, an increase of 1.06%;
• 2017 - 7,602,603,123, an increase of 1.12%;
• 2016 - 7,514,505,928, an increase of 1.16%;
• 2015 - 7,426,477,815, an increase of 1.17%.

The world population is projected to reach 8,231,613,070 by 2025, with an annual growth rate of 0.85%.

Factors affecting population size

Demographic dynamics depend on a set of interrelated factors:

1. Fertility

• Level of reproductive health
• Socio-economic conditions
• Cultural traditions
• State demographic policy

2. Mortality

• Quality of health care
• Environmental situation
• Standard of living
• Genetic features of the population

3. Migration processes

• Economic migration
• Forced migration (refugees)
• Labor migration
• Family reunification

4. Economic conditions

• Unemployment rate
• Household income
• Cost of living
• Economic stability

Demographic trends in the world

1. Population aging

• Increase in the proportion of elderly people
• Decrease in working-age population
• Increased burden on pension systems
• Change in consumption patterns

2. Declining birth rate

• In developed countries, fertility is below replacement level
• Urbanization
• High level of women's education
• Changing family values

3. Demographic explosion

• High fertility in developing countries
• Africa: fastest population growth
• Improving health care
• Reduction of child mortality

Statistical data

Top 10 countries by population (2025):

1. India - 1.4 billion people.
2. China - 1.4 billion people.
3. USA - 343.5 million people.
4. Indonesia - 276 million people.
5. Pakistan - 235 million people.
6. Brazil - 214 million people.
7. Nigeria - 213 million people.
8. Bangladesh - 171 million people.
9. Russia - 146 million people.
10. Mexico - 131 million people.

Regions with largest increase Populations:

• Africa
• South Asia
• Middle East

Regions with negative incremental:

• Eastern Europe
• Japan
• Some Western European countries

Methodological aspects of population accounting

1. Counting methods:

• Census
• Sample surveys
• Population registers
• Statistical modeling

2. Periodicity of censuses:

• Developed countries: every 5-10 years
• Developing countries: less frequently

3. International Standards:

• UN Recommendations
• Unified classifiers
• Data comparability

Population size - is a dynamic indicator reflecting complex demographic processes. Understanding the factors and trends helps to forecast the socio-economic development of countries and regions.