People around the World

World Population Facts

People around the World - Last updated 30 October 2025

Did you know? 11 July is World Population Day! Here are some fascinating facts about people around the world. And you will find some awesome infographics with updated population statistics and important facts.

More than 8.2 billion people live on our planet today. The world population is growing every day.

people around the world by Kids World Travel Guide

The growth rate stands at about 0.85% per year. In the last ten years, the world population has grown a tremendous 1 billion people, as the world only housed 7 billion people in 2011!

World Population Day is celebrated annually since 1987 when the mark of 5 billion people was reached!

By the year 2050, estimates show that the population will account to 10 billion people and the world population will be between 20 per cent larger than in 2025!

People around the World
Population Facts

Asia is the most populous continent housing about 60% of all the world’s people. So let's start with some basic facts about people around the world:

Click to download World Population Facts infographic - pdf

Which countries are the most populous in 2025?

For many years, China was the most populous country. In 2022, China and India both were home to more than 1.416 billion people. India surpassed China in population numbers in November 2022 and is now the most populous country! India houses 1.464 billion people in 2025.

The USA is currently the third most populous country with Indonesia and Pakistan following behind in the top five most populated countries in the world.

Which countries will be the most populous in 2050?

In 2050, the world population is predicted to house around 9.7 billion people.

India is predicted to be the most populated country and will then house over 1.6 billion people, while China then will hover around the 1.2 billion mark. China's population numbers are estimated to be shrinking even lower by 2100, to 786 million people. This means their population numbers will be almost halved and back to the level of the 1950s!

India will house about 17% of the world population by 2050 while Nigeria will become the third most populated country with over 400 million inhabitants and surpass the USA which in 2050 is expected to be home to about 370 million people.

Which country's population grows the fastest?

Africa is the fastest growing continent in population numbers. The African continent also houses 16 of the 20 fastest growing countries in 2025.

The most rapid population growth is predicted for Nigeria which will house a population that increases tenfold from 38 million to over 400 million people. Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania will be among the top ten most populous countries by 2100.

Among the countries which experienced the most rapid growth over the last 70 years are India, Indonesia, Pakistan and Nigeria.

India, now home to 1.4 billion people, only housed 376 million people in 1950, while Indonesia was then home to about 69 million people and now houses more than 285 million people.

Pakistan’s population increased in the same period from about 38 million to 255 million and Nigeria as well from 38 million to 237 million, but Nigeria's population numbers are still expected to almost double until 2050!

The USA’s population only doubled in recent years, while many countries’ population increased manifold. There is not extraordinary growth rate expected for the USA in the next three decades. The USA has a population of 347 million people in 2025.

What is the median age of the world population?

The median age of the people living on our planet in 2025 is 30.9 years.

people around the world 2025 - infographic by Kids World Travel Guide

Click to download People around the World infographic - pdf

Which continent has the youngest population?

The countries with the youngest population are found in Africa. Almost half of Niger’s population is under 15 years of age. Other countries, where almost half of their population is children under 16 years, are: Angola, Chad, Mali, Uganda and Zambia. All top ten countries with youthful population are in Africa.

Which continent has the oldest population?

The oldest population is found in Japan where more than one quarter of the population are older than 65 years.

Other countries with a big portion of an older population are Vatican City, Monaco, Italy, Portugal and Finland.

With exception of Japan, all countries with the ten oldest population groups are located in Europe!

Where do we find especially high population density?

City states are the most densely populated countries. Here thousands of people share the space. Among these very densely populated countries are Monaco, Singapore and Vatican City as well as the Chinese Territories of Macao and Hong Kong.

Among the larger countries that are densely packed with people are Bangladesh, South Korea and The Netherlands.

The most densely populated country is Monaco where there are more than 19,000 people per square kilometre.

Which countries have a low population density?

The most sparcely populated countries are large countries such as Mongolia, Australia and Iceland.

In Australia there are only 3 people per square kilometre.

World Population Superlatives

The most populous country is India with more than 1.464 billion people in 2025.
The least populous country is Vatican City with a small population of about 800 people.
The most densely populated country is Monaco.
The most scarcely populated countries are large countries such as Mongolia, Australia and Iceland.
The youngest population lives in Niger where 49.8% of the population are younger than 15 years of age.
The oldest population lives in Japan where 28% of the population are older than 65 years of age.
However, the continent with the oldest population is Europe, with countries such as Monaco, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Germany and France, all having an increasing number of older population
The fastest population growth is experienced in Nigeria. While the world's growth rate hoovers around 1%, the growth rate on the African continent stands already at 2.5% and is expected to rise even further.

People around the World
World Population Quiz

1. Which continent has the oldest population?

2. Which country has the youngest population?

3. Which country has fastest population growth?

4. Which country in Asia is known for its old population?

5. Which two countries are the most populous?

6. Which country is the most densely populated?

7. Which country is known as the least densely populated?

8. Name two densely populated city states.

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People around the World Quiz
Answers

Europe
Africa
Nigeria
Japan
India and China
Monaco
Australia
Singapore, Vatican City, San Marino and the Territories of Macao and Hong Kong

People around the World
World Population Facts Resources

Useful Resources for this People around the World page:

United Nations. "World Population Dashboard." UNFPA. Last accessed 30 October 2025
United Nations. "World Population Day." UNFPA. Last accessed 30 October 2025
Katharina Buchholz." The World's Youngest Countries." Statista. 12 August 2024. Last accessed 30 October 2025
United Nations. "News - World Population Prospects." UN Department of Development and Social Affairs. 17 June 2019. Last accessed 30 October 2025
Avery Koop. "Mapping the World’s Youngest and Oldest Countries." Visual Capitalist. 12 February 2021. Last accessed 30 October 2025