The total world population has reached astonishing levels in the last few decades, with more people alive today than at any other point in history. According to the United States Census Bureau, the world population currently stands at 7,158,318,000. For those itching to know where the majority of these people live, here’s the 2014 list of largest countries by population in the world.
1. China
China has been included on lists of the largest countries by population for a very long time, and this trend certainly shows little sign of slowing in the near future. It is emerging as one of the largest countries economically, as well as in terms of population, and this is helping to fuel its continuing growth, in spite of a strict family planning policy which is maintained by the Chinese government.
The current population of China stands at 1,363,760,000.
2. India
While India’s population growth has slowed in the last decade, it remains one of the highest in the world, standing at 1.76% per annum. The decrease in this growth is largely thanks to an increase in the amount of access to birth control, although the country as a whole still struggles with the health related issues that the population growth has caused.
The current population of India stands at 1,242,540,000.
3. United States of America
The USA is a large country both in terms of land mass and in terms of overall population. It is also alone in being the single industrialized nation where major population growth figures are estimated in the coming years. It is a very diverse culture ethnically, and encourages the immigration of skilled workers, helping to support this diversity.
The current population of the United States of America stands at 317,831,000.
4. Indonesia
Indonesia has one of the highest birth rates in the world at present, currently standing at roughly 1.9%. It has one of the most diverse populations in the world, with over 300 different languages being spoken within its borders. It has benefited from improvements in health care, and the current population growth is not expected to begin to drop in the next few years, meaning that it is likely to be found on future lists of the largest countries by population for several decades at least.
The current population of Indonesia stands at 247,424,598.
5. Brazil
In spite of its relitavely large size, over 87% of Brazil’s populations live within its cities, which are predominantly located on a narrow strip which follows the line of the east coast of the country, with population densities becoming noticably smaller the further inland you travel. Its population has been boosted by rapid improvements in both housing and overall health care, although the overall birth rate of the country has been falling steadily for decades.
The current population of Brazil stands at 201,032,000.
6. Pakistan
Pakistan has a very diverse population, and it should be noted that the official population statistics on which this list is based do not include the figures of the refugees who have arrived from Afghanistan in the last few years, as they are not counted among the population, being considered temporary residents at best. Having said that, Pakistan itself has experienced a rapid amount of growth in the last decade, largely owing to improvements in both health care and life expectancy.
The current population of Pakistan stands at 186,115,000.
7. Nigeria
Nigeria has been named the ‘Giant of Africa’, and it certainly lives up to that name. It is the most populated country in Africa, and so has earned its place on this list of the largest countries by population in the world. It has been experiencing a population explosion in recent years, although it also has a fairly high death rate, thanks to a lack of health care and resources.
The current population of Nigeria stands at 173,615,000.
8. Bangladesh
Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, and among the smallest on this list in terms of land mass. The growth in the population has slowed in recent years thanks to the introduction of birth control measures, but as most of the population still lives below the international poverty line, these measures are often inaccessible by the people most in need of them.
The current population of Bangladesh stands at 152,518,000.
9. Russia
When looking at largest countries in the world, Russia almost always features somewhere on the list. It is certainly one of the largest in terms of overall landmass, and therefore it should come as no surprise to find out that it has ranks among the largest countries by population as well. It has a recorded birth rate much higher than that of most other countries in the western world, and actively encourages immigration in an attempt to prevent the population density from decreasing too far.
The current population of Russia stands at 146,019,000.
10. Japan
In the past few decades, Japan has emerged as a major economic power, with the world’s third largest economy. It also has the longest overall life expectancy at birth of any country in the world, which certainly plays a part in its position on this list. However, due to a rapidly aging population, it has been estimated that the overall population will drop dramatically by 2050.
The current population of Japan stands at 127,120,000.
