Top 10 Most Populated Country in the World, Rank Wise List

As of 2025, the global population is estimated at approximately 8.16 billion. Over half of humanity resides in just ten countries. The Top 10 Most Populated Country in the World include India, China, the United States, Indonesia, Pakistan, Nigeria, Brazil, Bangladesh, Russia, and Ethiopia. Together, they account for nearly 46% of the world’s population. Understanding demographic trends related to global governance, developmental economics, migration, environment, and geopolitical strategy.

Top 10 Most Populated Country in the World

As per the latest data from the World Population Review, India holds the top position in the term of population size, with over 1.46 billion people. China is at the second position with 1.42 billion. The projections suggest that India will not only maintain its lead but is also expected to witness continued population growth, reaching an estimated peak of 1.65 billion by around 2060.

While the global population continues to rise, the annual growth rate is gradually slowing. In 2025, the global population growth rate stands at approximately 0.85%, down from 0.97% in 2020 and 1.25% in 2015. Currently, the world population is about 8.2 billion, increasing by roughly 70 million people each year. If trends continue, the global population is projected to reach 9 billion by the year 2037.

India

1. Population (2025): ~1.464 billion; share ~17.8%.
2. Growth Rate: ~0.89% annually, adding ~13 million people .
3. Median Age: ~28.8 years; ~37% urban.
4. Positioned to become the world’s most populous nation by 2030, according to UN projections.
5. Expected to peak at ~1.68 billion by 2050 and around 1.65 billion by 2060 .
6. The demographic dividend is strong, yet urbanisation, food security, and ageing pose multifaceted challenges ahead.

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China

1. Population (2025): ~1.416 billion; ~17.2% global share.
2. Growth Rate: Slight decline of -0.23%, losing ~3 million people .
3. Median Age: ~40.1 years; ~67.5% urban.
4. Faces demographic ageing and low fertility, with the UN projecting a peak by 2035, followed by a sustained decline.
5. Key global issues include ageing population, workforce constraints, and regional economic impact due to population decline.

United States

1. Population (2025): ~347.3 million; ~4.22% of world total.
2. Growth Rate: ~0.54%, fueled by migration and natural growth.
3. Median Age: ~38.5 years; ~82.8% urban.
4. Recognised as a migration-driven society with diverse demographics; projected to remain steadily populous (~380 million by 2050).
5. Demographic stability will support continuous economic strength, but ageing and healthcare strain remain major concerns.

Indonesia

1. Population (2025): ~285.7 million; ~3.5% share.
2. Growth Rate: ~0.79% annually .
3. Median Age: ~30.4 years; ~59.6% urban .
4. Fertility rate around 2.1; population projected at ~320 million by 2050 .
5. As the world’s largest archipelagic country, Indonesia’s challenges include urban planning, climate resilience, and youth employment.

Pakistan

• Population (2025): ~255.2 million; ~3.10% share.
• Growth Rate: ~1.57%; ~3.95 million annual increase.
• Median Age: ~20.6 years; ~34.4% urban .
• Fertility rate ~3.5; projected population ~372 million by 2050 .
• Pakistan sees both potential demographic dividend and challenges including education and healthcare delivery.

Nigeria

1. Population (2025): ~237.5 million; ~2.89% share .
2. Growth Rate: ~2.08%; ~4.85 million rise annually .
3. Median Age: ~18.1 years; ~54.9% urban.
4. Fertility rate ~4.3; forecasted ~359 million by 2050, overtaking Indonesia by growth terms.
5. Nigeria leads Africa in demographic growth, facing infrastructure, unemployment, and educational expansion challenges.

Brazil

1. Population (2025): ~212.8 million; ~2.59% share.
2. Growth Rate: ~0.38% annually .
3. Median Age: ~34.8 years; ~91.4% urban.
4. Population projected ~217 million by 2050 .
5. While relatively stable, Brazil grapples with urban inequality, environmental sustainability in the Amazon region, and demographic ageing.

Bangladesh

1. Population (2025): ~175.7 million; ~2.13% share.
2. Growth Rate: ~1.22% annually .
3. Median Age: ~26 years; ~42.6% urban .
4. Fertility ~2.11; population to reach ~214 million by 2050 .
5. Governance, cyclone resilience, urbanisation, rural poverty, and Rohingya refugee issues are critical policy areas.

Russia

1. Population (2025): ~144.0 million; ~1.75% share .
2. Growth Rate: -0.57%, shrinking by ~823,000 people .
3. Median Age: ~40.3 years; ~75% urban .
4. Projected at ~136 million by 2050 .
5. Confronts serious demographic decline, ageing, health challenges, and low fertility with migration offsetting some decline.

Ethiopia

1. Population (2025): ~135.5 million; ~1.65% share .
2. Growth Rate: ~2.58% annually .
3. Median Age: ~19.1 years; ~22.5% urban .
4. Fertility ~3.81; estimated ~225 million by 2050 .
5. Rapid demographic expansion brings challenges in food security, infrastructure, and governance, but also a potential for future workforce gains.

Most Populous Countries in 2050

By 2050, the global population landscape is expected to shift significantly. Projections indicate that India and China will continue to lead as the most populous countries, together comprising more than 30% of the world’s total population. 

Much of the population growth is anticipated to occur in developing nations across Asia and Africa, driven by higher fertility rates and younger demographics. Meanwhile, notable changes in the rankings of the top 20 most populous countries are expected, reflecting broader demographic trends such as urbanization, aging populations, and migration patterns.