Population by Country, 1960–2025

Population is the denominator behind <a href="/data/gdp-per-capita-by-country" class="text-brand hover:text-brand-dark underline underline-offset-2">GDP per capita</a>, <a href="/data/co2-emissions-per-capita-by-country" class="text-brand hover:text-brand-dark underline underline-offset-2">CO2 emissions per capita</a>, and <a href="/data/life-expectancy-by-country" class="text-brand hover:text-brand-dark underline underline-offset-2">life expectancy</a>. Countries that grow rapidly in population often fall in per-capita rankings even as their total output rises. 7 of 1960's top ten remain in 2025's top ten: India, China, United States, Indonesia, Brazil, Bangladesh, Russian Federation.

The single largest change at the top of the table occurred in 2021, when India overtook China to become the world's most populous country. China had held the top position since the start of the series in 1960.

Ethiopia ranked 27th in population in 1960 and 10th in 2025. Four of the ten most populous countries are also among the ten largest economies by <a href="/data/gdp-by-country" class="text-brand hover:text-brand-dark underline underline-offset-2">total GDP</a>: the United States, China, India, and Russia. The remaining six populous countries rank lower in total output, illustrating the gap between demographic and economic size.

Inside the current top 20, the largest gain since 2000 belongs to Congo, Dem. Rep., which moved from 23rd in 2000 to 15th at 112.8 million.