Monaco led the ranking for countries with the highest population density in 2024, with nearly 26,000 residents per square kilometer. The Special Administrative Region of Macao came in second, followed by Singapore. The world’s second smallest country Monaco is the world’s second-smallest country, with an area of about two square kilometers and a population of only around 40,000. It is a constitutional monarchy located by the Mediterranean Sea, and while Monaco is not part of the European Union, it does participate in some EU policies. The country is perhaps most famous for the Monte Carlo casino and for hosting the Monaco Grand Prix, the world's most prestigious Formula One race. The global population Globally, the population density per square kilometer is about 60 inhabitants, and Asia is the most densely populated region in the world. The global population is increasing rapidly, so population density is only expected to increase. In 1950, for example, the global population stood at about 2.54 billion people, and it reached over eight billion during 2023.

In 2025, India overtook China as the world's most populous country and now has almost 1.46 billion people. China now has the second-largest population in the world, still with just over 1.4 billion inhabitants, however, its population went into decline in 2023. Global population As of 2025, the world's population stands at almost 8.2 billion people and is expected to reach around 10.3 billion people in the 2080s, when it will then go into decline. Due to improved healthcare, sanitation, and general living conditions, the global population continues to increase; mortality rates (particularly among infants and children) are decreasing and the median age of the world population has steadily increased for decades. As for the average life expectancy in industrial and developing countries, the gap has narrowed significantly since the mid-20th century. Asia is the most populous continent on Earth; 11 of the 20 largest countries are located there. It leads the ranking of the global population by continent by far, reporting four times as many inhabitants as Africa. The Demographic Transition The population explosion over the past two centuries is part of a phenomenon known as the demographic transition. Simply put, this transition results from a drastic reduction in mortality, which then leads to a reduction in fertility, and increase in life expectancy; this interim period where death rates are low and birth rates are high is where this population explosion occurs, and population growth can remain high as the population ages. In today's most-developed countries, the transition generally began with industrialization in the 1800s, and growth has now stabilized as birth and mortality rates have re-balanced. Across less-developed countries, the stage of this transition varies; for example, China is at a later stage than India, which accounts for the change in which country is more populous - understanding the demographic transition can help understand the reason why China's population is now going into decline. The least-developed region is Sub-Saharan Africa, where fertility rates remain close to pre-industrial levels in some countries. As these countries transition, they will undergo significant rates of population growth.

This statistic shows the 20 countries with the highest population growth rate in 2024. In SouthSudan, the population grew by about 4.65 percent compared to the previous year, making it the country with the highest population growth rate in 2024. The global population Today, the global population amounts to around 7 billion people, i.e. the total number of living humans on Earth. More than half of the global population is living in Asia, while one quarter of the global population resides in Africa. High fertility rates in Africa and Asia, a decline in the mortality rates and an increase in the median age of the world population all contribute to the global population growth. Statistics show that the global population is subject to increase by almost 4 billion people by 2100. The global population growth is a direct result of people living longer because of better living conditions and a healthier nutrition. Three out of five of the most populous countries in the world are located in Asia. Ultimately the highest population growth rate is also found there, the country with the highest population growth rate is Syria. This could be due to a low infant mortality rate in Syria or the ever -expanding tourism sector.

Global Total Housing Overcrowding by Country, 2023 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

Whereas the population is expected to decrease somewhat until 2100 in Asia, Europe, and South America, it is predicted to grow significantly in Africa. While there were 1.55 billion inhabitants on the continent at the beginning of 2025, the number of inhabitants is expected to reach 3.81 billion by 2100. In total, the global population is expected to reach nearly 10.18 billion by 2100. Worldwide population In the United States, the total population is expected to steadily increase over the next couple of years. In 2024, Asia held over half of the global population and is expected to have the highest number of people living in urban areas in 2050. Asia is home to the two most populous countries, India and China, both with a population of over one billion people. However, the small country of Monaco had the highest population density worldwide in 2024. Effects of overpopulation Alongside the growing worldwide population, there are negative effects of overpopulation. The increasing population puts a higher pressure on existing resources and contributes to pollution. As the population grows, the demand for food grows, which requires more water, which in turn takes away from the freshwater available. Concurrently, food needs to be transported through different mechanisms, which contributes to air pollution. Not every resource is renewable, meaning the world is using up limited resources that will eventually run out. Furthermore, more species will become extinct which harms the ecosystem and food chain. Overpopulation was considered to be one of the most important environmental issues worldwide in 2020.

Nigeria has the largest population in Africa. As of 2025, the country counted over 237.5 million individuals, whereas Ethiopia, which ranked second, has around 135.5 million inhabitants. Egypt registered the largest population in North Africa, reaching nearly 118.4 million people. In terms of inhabitants per square kilometer, Nigeria only ranked seventh, while Mauritius had the highest population density on the whole African continent in 2023. The fastest-growing world region Africa is the second most populous continent in the world, after Asia. Nevertheless, Africa records the highest growth rate worldwide, with figures rising by over two percent every year. In some countries, such as Chad, South Sudan, Somalia, and the Central African Republic, the population increase peaks at over 3.4 percent. With so many births, Africa is also the youngest continent in the world. However, this coincides with a low life expectancy. African cities on the rise The last decades have seen high urbanization rates in Asia, mainly in China and India. African cities are also growing at large rates. Indeed, the continent has three megacities and is expected to add four more by 2050. Furthermore, Africa's fastest-growing cities are forecast to be Bujumbura, in Burundi, and Zinder, Nigeria, by 2035.

In 2019, Overcrowding Rate in Italy was up 1.1points compared to a year earlier.

The analysis of the world's population is a complex and multifaceted endeavor, encompassing a wide range of demographic, economic, social, and environmental factors. Understanding these trends and dynamics is crucial for policymakers, researchers, and organizations to make informed decisions and plan for the future. This article delves into a comprehensive analysis of the world's population, examining its growth patterns, demographic shifts, challenges, and opportunities.

Population Growth. The world's population has experienced remarkable growth over the past century. In 1927, the global population reached its first billion, and since then, it has surged exponentially. As of the latest available data in 2021, the world's population stands at approximately 7.8 billion. Projections indicate that this figure will continue to rise, with estimates suggesting a population of over 9 billion by 2050.

Factors Driving Population Growth. 1. Fertility Rates: High birth rates, particularly in developing countries, have been a significant driver of population growth. Access to healthcare, education, and family planning services plays a crucial role in reducing fertility rates. 2. Increased Life Expectancy: Improvements in healthcare, nutrition, and sanitation have led to longer life expectancy worldwide. This has contributed to population growth, as people are living longer and healthier lives. 3. Demographic Shifts: Demographic shifts are shaping our world in significant ways. In developed countries, an aging population with a higher median age is reshaping healthcare systems, retirement policies, and workforce dynamics. Simultaneously, urbanization is accelerating, with over half of the global population now living in cities, presenting challenges and opportunities for infrastructure, resource management, and social development.

Challenges. 1. Overpopulation: Rapid population growth in certain regions can strain resources, leading to issues such as food scarcity, water shortages, and overcrowding. 2. Aging Workforce: As the global population ages, there may be a shortage of skilled workers, affecting economic productivity and social support systems. 3. Environmental Impact: Population growth is closely linked to increased resource consumption and environmental degradation. Sustainable development and conservation efforts are essential to mitigate these effects.

Opportunities. 1. Demographic Dividend: Countries with youthful populations can benefit from a demographic dividend, where a large working-age population can drive economic growth and innovation. 2. Cultural Diversity: A diverse global population can lead to cultural exchange, creativity, and a richer societal tapestry. 3. Innovation and Technology: Addressing the challenges posed by population growth can drive innovation in areas such as healthcare, agriculture, and energy production.

Analysing the world's population is a complex task that involves understanding its growth patterns, demographic shifts, challenges, and opportunities. As the global population continues to rise, it is essential to address the associated challenges while harnessing the potential benefits of a diverse and dynamic world population. Policymakers, researchers, and organizations must work collaboratively to create sustainable solutions that ensure a prosperous future for all.

Overcrowding rate by age, sex and group of country of birth (total population aged 18 and over) Copyright notice and free re-use of data on: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/about-us/policies/copyright

In Iceland, the rate of people living in overcrowded houses was significantly lower among people born in Iceland than among people born in another country. In 2018, around 8.5 percent of the Icelandic-born population lived in overcrowded houses. The same year, the numbers were just above 18 and just below 21 percent for EU-born and non-EU-born citizens, respectively.

The European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) collects timely and comparable multidimensional microdata on income, poverty, social exclusion and living conditions.

The EU-SILC collection is a key instrument for providing information required by the European Semester (_[1]) and the European Pillar of Social Rights, and the main source of data for microsimulation purposes and flash estimates of income distribution and poverty rates.

AROPE remains crucial to monitor European social policies, especially to monitor the EU 2030 target on poverty and social exclusion. For more information, please consult EU social indicators.

The EU-SILC instrument provides two types of data:

• Cross-sectional data pertaining to a given time or a certain time period with variables on income, poverty, social exclusion and other living conditions.
• Longitudinal data pertaining to individual-level changes over time, observed periodically over four‐or more year rotation scheme (Annex III (2) of 2019/1700).

EU-SILC collects:

• annual variables,
• three-yearly modules,
• six-yearly modules,
• ad-hoc new policy needs modules,
• optional variables.

The variables collected are grouped by topic and detailed topic and transmitted to Eurostat in four main files (D-File, H-File, R-File and P-file).

The domain ‘Income and Living Conditions’ covers the following topics: persons at risk of poverty or social exclusion, income inequality, income distribution and monetary poverty, living conditions, material deprivation, and EU-SILC ad-hoc modules, which are structured into collections of indicators on specific topics.

In 2023, in addition to annual data, in EU-SILC were collected: the three yearly module on labour market and housing, the six yearly module on intergenerational transmission of advantages and disadvantages, housing difficulties, and the ad hoc subject on households energy efficiency.

Starting from 2021 onwards, the EU quality reports use the structure of the Single Integrated Metadata Structure (SIMS).

_{([1]) The European Semester is the European Union’s framework for the coordination and surveillance of economic and social policies.}

The earliest point where scientists can make reasonable estimates for the population of global regions is around 10,000 years before the Common Era (or 12,000 years ago). Estimates suggest that Asia has consistently been the most populated continent, and the least populated continent has generally been Oceania (although it was more heavily populated than areas such as North America in very early years). Population growth was very slow, but an increase can be observed between most of the given time periods. There were, however, dips in population due to pandemics, the most notable of these being the impact of plague in Eurasia in the 14th century, and the impact of European contact with the indigenous populations of the Americas after 1492, where it took almost four centuries for the population of Latin America to return to its pre-1500 level. The world's population first reached one billion people in 1803, which also coincided with a spike in population growth, due to the onset of the demographic transition. This wave of growth first spread across the most industrially developed countries in the 19th century, and the correlation between demographic development and industrial or economic maturity continued until today, with Africa being the final major region to begin its transition in the late-1900s.

As of January 1, 2023, the aggregate Egyptian population was estimated at almost 104.5 million inhabitants. The capital city, Cairo, was the most populated area in the country, with 10.2 million residents. Moreover, the governorate of Giza followed, with up to 9.46 million people living in the area. South Sinai was the least inhabited governorate in the nation. The touristic region had a mere 115,000 people actively residing in the governorate. A scarcely populated area and a populous capitalEgypt has a total area of close to 1.01 million square kilometers. Yet, only around 105,200 square kilometers of the country are inhabited, representing only around 10.5 percent of the available landmass. Most of the Egyptian population lives along the Nile River due to the majority of the land being a desert. In fact, El Wadi ElGidid, also known as New Valley governorate, located in the south of Egypt's Western Desert, covers almost 42.3 percent of the country. Notably, the population density in Cairo was higher compared to the other governorates at over 5,610 people per square kilometer. Population growth and a New Administrative Capital     Since 1952, the country’s population faced a rapid increase growing from close to 21.5 million to current levels. Between 2012 and 2022, the population growth of Egypt was highest in 2014 at nearly 2.34 percent, dropping yearly ever since. In March 2015, Egypt’s current Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, who was at that time Minister of Housing and Urban Utilities, announced the establishment of the New Administrative Capital. One of the fundamental goals is to decrease the current overpopulation in Greater Cairo and its inability to absorb a fast-growing population.

This statistic shows the total population of Saudi Arabia from 2020 to 2024, with projections up until 2030. In 2024, Saudi Arabia's total population amounted to 35.3 million inhabitants. Population of Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, the second largest Arab state, is a nation in development. As a result of the economic stability, gross domestic product (GDP) has grown by about 520 billion U.S. dollars over the past decade. This comes as a result of Saudi Arabia’s positive trade balance and the fact that Saudi Arabia exports about 2.5 times more goods than it imports. Therefore, it is no surprise that Saudi Arabia has constantly had a very high GDP growth in the past decade. In a developing country, there is a tendency for the population to move to more urban cities where the employment rates are higher. The degree of urbanization in Saudi Arabia has grown by around 2 percent from 2002 to 2012. Some of the biggest cities in Saudi Arabia have witnessed the urbanization changes first-hand. The capital of Saudi Arabia and the biggest city, Ar-Riyad, is home to about five million inhabitants. However, the high number of illegal immigrants in Saudi Arabia also accounts for the total population. More awareness to health risks and better living conditions have increased the life expectancy at birth in Saudi Arabia by about 3 years in the last decade. With a rapidly growing total population, it has grown by around 8 million inhabitants over the past decade, the government has set some rules to avoid overcrowding and overpopulation. The fertility rate in Saudi has steadily decreased over the past years in order to attempt to control the rapidly growing population.

As of October 2024, the operational capacity of Italian prisons was about 51,100 inmates. However, there were roughly 62,100 prisoners incarcerated in all Italian penal institutions, over 11,000 more than the regulatory capacity. Indeed, most Italian regions were affected by the overpopulation of jails. Prison population in Italy Since the beginning of the twenty-first century, the number of inmates in Italian jails remained rather stable. In the period between 2000 and 2019, the lowest prison population was registered in 2006, whereas the highest number of inmates in custody was reported in 2010. However, the number of detainees in 2020 experienced a decrease. During the coronavirus emergency, certain prisoners were released under supervision in order to reduce overcrowding. Perception of prison overpopulation Italians are aware that the number of inmates in the country’s prisons exceeds the operational capacity. However, in 2018 Italian respondents believed that the penal institutions in their country were more overcrowded than they actually were.

As of May 2025, the Republic of Congo recorded the world’s highest prison occupancy rate, operating at approximately 616.9 percent of its official capacity. Cambodia followed with an occupancy rate of 409.1 percent.