List of countries and dependencies by population

This is a list of countries and dependencies by population. It includes sovereign states, inhabited dependent territories and, in some cases, constituent countries of sovereign states, with inclusion within the list being primarily based on the ISO standard ISO 3166-1. For instance, the United Kingdom is considered a single entity, while the constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands are considered separately. In addition, this list includes certain states with limited recognition not found in ISO 3166-1. Also given in a percentage is each country's population compared with the world population, which the United Nations estimates at 8.07 billion as of 2023.

Method

Figures used in this chart are based on the most up-to-date estimates or projections by the national census authority, where available, and are usually rounded off.

Where updated national data are not available, figures are based on the estimates or projections for 2022 by the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

Because the compiled figures are not collected at the same time in every country, or at the same level of accuracy, the resulting numerical comparisons may create misleading conclusions. Furthermore, the addition of figures from all countries may not equal the world total.

Areas that form integral parts of sovereign states, such as the countries of the United Kingdom, are counted as part of the sovereign states concerned. Not included are other entities that are not sovereign states, such as the European Union, and independent territories that do not have permanent populations, such as the Chagos Archipelago and various countries' claims to Antarctica.

Sovereign states and dependencies by population

Note: A numbered rank is assigned to the 193 member states of the United Nations, plus the two observer states to the United Nations General Assembly. Dependent territories and constituent countries that are parts of sovereign states are not assigned a numbered rank. In addition, sovereign states with limited recognition are included, but not assigned a number rank.

See also

• Demographics of the world
• List of countries and dependencies by area
• List of countries and dependencies by population density
• List of countries by population growth rate

Explanatory notes

References

1. List of countries and dependencies by population density
2. List of countries and dependencies by area
3. List of countries by population (United Nations)
4. List of European countries by population
5. List of continents and continental subregions by population
6. List of countries by urban population
7. List of African countries by population density
8. List of countries by past and projected future population
9. Lists of sovereign states and dependent territories
10. List of countries by total fertility rate
11. List of countries by cancer rate
12. List of states by population
13. List of countries by birth rate
14. List of largest consumer markets
15. List of countries by number of UN peacekeepers contributed
16. List of cities proper by population density
17. List of African countries by area
18. List of European countries by area
19. List of countries by population in 1989
20. List of sovereign states by percentage of population living in poverty