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Discover the World’s Top 10 Most Populous Countries
The global population continues to grow over 7.8 billion; here are the countries with the world’s largest population acing the growth.
The world’s population currently stands at more than 7.8 billion people, with an estimated increase to about 11 billion by the end of the century.
As healthcare, sanitation, and general living circumstances improve; mortality rates (especially among newborns and children) are declining, and the world population’s median age has consistently increased for decades.
The global population continues to grow and it seems as though more countries are striving to become one of the most populous countries in the world.
Below is a list of the Top 10 Most Populous Countries in the World:
1. China – 1.4 Billion People
For many centuries, China has maintained its position as the country with the world’s highest population.
China’s drastic increase in population was said to have begun in 1949 after World War II. In order to build a better army and increase food production and income, Chinese families were encouraged to have as many children as possible.
With a population of over 1.4 billion people, China continues to be the world’s most populous country. The country with the most populous people on the globe is East Asia’s “Middle Kingdom.” The Han Chinese make up roughly 90% of China’s population.
In China, there are more than 50 recognized ethnic groups, the largest of which being the Uyghurs, who number around 10 million people, and the Tibetans, who number around 3 million.
2. India – 1.3 Billion People
India, also known as Bharat, is Asia’s and the world’s second-most populous country, with a population of just under 1.4 billion people.
In India, there are hundreds of ethnic groups, and the Indian Constitution recognizes 22 official languages. The old caste system still exists in Hindu society. Uttar Pradesh, with a population of 200 million people, is India’s most populous state.
3. United States of America – 330 Million People
The United States, which encompasses the majority of central North America, is the most populated country in America. It is also the country with the world’s largest Christian population, with 65 percent of Americans identifying as Christians today.
Meanwhile, California, with a population of 39.5 million people, is the most populous state in the United States. On the other hand, New York City, NY is the most populated city, with 8.3 million residents.
Another interesting fact is that the USA has the highest number of billionaires.
4. Indonesia – 260 Million People
Indonesia is the world’s most populous island nation, as well as the world’s most populous Islamic country and the world’s most populous sovereign state.
5. Pakistan – 220 Million People
Pakistan is the world’s fifth-most populated country, Asia’s third-most populous country, and the world’s second-most populous Islamic country.
The country is home to six major ethnic groups. Punjabis (45%) are the most common ethnic group, followed by Pashtuns (15%), Sindhis (14%), and Saraikis (14%).
Pakistan’s Muslim population accounts for over 96 percent of the country’s total population. Pakistan’s Punjab province has the highest population density.
6. Brazil – 211 Million People
Brazil is the largest and most populous country in South America, as well as the Western Hemisphere’s second-largest country.
With 65% Roman Catholics and 22% Protestants, it is also the country with the world’s second-largest Christian population. Brazilian Portuguese is the primary language spoken. The majority of the population lives in the eastern region of the country, along the Atlantic coast.
7. Nigeria – 206 Million People
Nigeria is a West African country bordering the Gulf of Guinea. The country is Africa’s most populous, with a continually high pace of population growth. Hausa 30%, Yoruba 15%, Igbo (Ibo) 15%, and Fulani 6% are the major ethnic groups.
More than half of Nigeria’s population (53%) is Muslim, mostly Sunni. Various Christian denominations account for 45% of the population. Nigeria has also recently surpassed China as the continent’s largest economy.
8. Bangladesh – 168 Million People
Bangladesh is located between India and Myanmar in the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta. Bangladesh is the world’s most densely populated big country, covering an area slightly over half the size of the United Kingdom. The state religion is Islam. Bangladesh is not only one of the world’s most populous countries, but also one of the most densely populated.
9. Russia – 146 Million People
Russia is a transcontinental country that lies between northern Asia and Eastern Europe. It is the world’s largest country in terms of land area.
Ethnic Russians account for more than 80% of the country’s population. The European section of Russia is home to roughly two-thirds of the Russian people. Russian is the official language.
Russia’s religious population is made up of 15-20% Russian Orthodox and roughly 17% Muslim. The legacy of over seven decades of state atheism under Soviet control has left Russia with a vast population of non-practising believers and non-believers.
10 Mexico – 126 Million People
The third-largest country in North America is also the continent’s second-most populous country and the world’s most populous Spanish-speaking country. It may surprise you to learn that Mexico also has the world’s third-largest Christian population (92.4%).
Mexico City and its environs are home to around a quarter of the country’s population.
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