#1 Most Populated
India
1.48 billion
17.79% of world
Adds about 12.8 million people in 2026, more than any other country.
Since 2000
+39.6%
Median age 2026
29.2
TFR 2026
1.93
2050 population
1.68 billion
2050 rank
#1
Top 10 Most Populated Countries in the World (2026)
56.6% — more than half of the world’s people — live in these 10 countries.
Population on 1 July 2026. Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024
56.6%
Top 10 share
of the world lives in these 10 countries
39.0%
Top 3 share
in India, China and the United States
34.8%
India + China
live in India or China
The Top 10 on the Map
Numbered badges show rank. Hover any country for details · Click to open.
Population: UN WPP 2024 (1 July 2026) · Boundaries: Natural Earth
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Population:No data<1M1–10M10–50M50–200M200M–1B>1B
Top 10 Countries by Population (2026)
Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024India passed China in mid-2022 by the UN’s current estimates. The fall-off from #2 to #3 is the steepest gap in the ranking. Click any bar to open that country’s page.
India passed China in 2022
By the UN's current estimates (World Population Prospects 2024), India passed China in mid-2022. China had the largest population in every year from 1950, when UN estimates begin, until then. The UN had first dated the change to April 2023, based on its 2022 revision.
#2 Most Populated
China
1.41 billion
17.02% of world
Shrinks by about 3.2 million in 2026; its population peaked in 2021.
Since 2000
+11.3%
Median age 2026
40.6
TFR 2026
1.03
2050 population
1.26 billion
2050 rank
#2
#3 Most Populated
United States
349.0 million
4.20% of world
Since 2000
+24.0%
Median age 2026
38.7
TFR 2026
1.63
2050 population
380.8 million
2050 rank
#3
#4 Most Populated
Indonesia
287.9 million
3.47% of world
Projected to rank 6th in 2050 (320.7 million).
Since 2000
+33.2%
Median age 2026
30.7
TFR 2026
2.08
2050 population
320.7 million
2050 rank
#6
#5 Most Populated
Pakistan
259.3 million
3.12% of world
Projected to rank 4th in 2050 (371.9 million).
Since 2000
+67.4%
Median age 2026
20.8
TFR 2026
3.44
2050 population
371.9 million
2050 rank
#4
#6 Most Populated
Nigeria
242.4 million
2.92% of world
Projected to rank 5th in 2050 (359.2 million).
Since 2000
+91.8%
Median age 2026
18.3
TFR 2026
4.21
2050 population
359.2 million
2050 rank
#5
#7 Most Populated
Brazil
213.6 million
2.57% of world
Projected to rank 9th in 2050 (217.5 million).
Since 2000
+22.7%
Median age 2026
35.3
TFR 2026
1.59
2050 population
217.5 million
2050 rank
#9
#8 Most Populated
Bangladesh
177.8 million
2.14% of world
Projected to rank 10th in 2050 (214.7 million).
Since 2000
+32.2%
Median age 2026
26.3
TFR 2026
2.09
2050 population
214.7 million
2050 rank
#10
#9 Most Populated
Russia
143.4 million
1.73% of world
Shrinks by about 0.6 million in 2026; its population peaked in 1991.
Since 2000
-2.3%
Median age 2026
40.7
TFR 2026
1.47
2050 population
136.1 million
2050 rank
#13
#10 Most Populated
Ethiopia
138.9 million
1.67% of world
Projected to rank 7th in 2050 (225.0 million).
Since 2000
+106.1%
Median age 2026
19.3
TFR 2026
3.72
2050 population
225.0 million
2050 rank
#7
How the top 10 changes by 2050
Most populated in 2026
- 1India1.48 billion—
- 2China1.41 billion—
- 3United States349.0 million—
- 4Indonesia287.9 million▼2
- 5Pakistan259.3 million▲1
- 6Nigeria242.4 million▲1
- 7Brazil213.6 million▼2
- 8Bangladesh177.8 million▼2
- 9Russia143.4 million▼4
- 10Ethiopia138.9 million▲3
Projected most populated in 2050
- 1India1.68 billion—
- 2China1.26 billion—
- 3United States380.8 million—
- 4Pakistan371.9 million▲1
- 5Nigeria359.2 million▲1
- 6Indonesia320.7 million▼2
- 7Ethiopia225.0 million▲3
- 8Democratic Republic of the Congo218.2 million▲7
- 9Brazil217.5 million▼2
- 10Bangladesh214.7 million▼2
By 2050, Russia drops out of the top 10 and Democratic Republic of the Congo enters.
Arrows show each country’s rank change between 2026 and 2050. 2050 figures are UN medium-variant projections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has the largest population?
India, 1,476,625,577 on 1 July 2026 (17.8% of the world).
By the UN's current estimates (World Population Prospects 2024), India passed China in mid-2022. China had the largest population in every year from 1950, when UN estimates begin, until then. The UN had first dated the change to April 2023, based on its 2022 revision.
How much of the world lives in the top 10?
The 10 most populated countries hold 56.6% of the world's people in 2026 — more than half. The other 184 countries with UN data share the rest.
Which country will have the most people in 2050?
India 1.68 billion, China 1.26 billion, the United States 380.8 million, Pakistan 371.9 million, Nigeria 359.2 million.
India peaks in 2061 at 1.70 billion; no country reaches 2 billion this century.
Which countries are growing fastest?
By people added in 2026: India (+12.8 million), Nigeria (+4.9 million), Pakistan (+4.1 million), Democratic Republic of the Congo (+3.6 million), Ethiopia (+3.4 million).
What are the median ages in these countries?
Youngest median age among the 10: Nigeria 18.3; oldest: Russia 40.7 and China 40.6.
Explore more rankings
Sources & Further Reading
- Population, fertility, median age and projections: UN World Population Prospects 2024, population on 1 July; medium-variant projections from 2024.