The population of Latin America and the Caribbean increased from 175 million in 1950 to 515 million in 2000. Where did this growth occur? What is the magnitude of change in different places? How can we visualize the geographic dimensions of population change in Latin America and the Caribbean? We compiled census and other public domain information to analyze both temporal and geographic changes in population in the region. Our database includes population totals for over 18,300 administrative districts within Latin America and the Caribbean. Tabular census data was linked to an administrative division map of the region and handled in a geographic information system. We transformed vector population maps to raster surfaces to make the digital maps comparable with other commonly available geographic information. Validation and error-checking analyses were carried out to compare the database with other sources of population information. The digital population maps created in this project have been put in the public domain and can be downloaded from our website. The Latin America and Caribbean map is part of a larger multi-institutional effort to map population in developing countries. This is the third version of the Latin American and Caribbean population database and it contains new data from the 2000 round of censuses and new and improved accessibility surfaces for creating the raster maps.

The average for 2021 based on 12 countries was 25 people per square km. The highest value was in Ecuador: 72 people per square km and the lowest value was in Guyana: 4 people per square km. The indicator is available from 1961 to 2021. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Historical dataset showing Latin America & Caribbean population density by year from 1961 to 2022.

Author: Joseph Kerski, post_secondary_educator, Esri and University of DenverGrade/Audience: high school, ap human geography, post secondary, professional developmentResource type: lessonSubject topic(s): population, maps, citiesRegion: africa, asia, australia oceania, europe, north america, south america, united states, worldStandards: All APHG population tenets. Geography for Life cultural and population geography standards. Objectives: 1. Understand how population change and demographic characteristics are evident at a variety of scales in a variety of places around the world. 2. Understand the whys of where through analysis of change over space and time. 3. Develop skills using spatial data and interactive maps. 4. Understand how population data is communicated using 2D and 3D maps, visualizations, and symbology. Summary: Teaching and learning about demographics and population change in an effective, engaging manner is enriched and enlivened through the use of web mapping tools and spatial data. These tools, enabled by the advent of cloud-based geographic information systems (GIS) technology, bring problem solving, critical thinking, and spatial analysis to every classroom instructor and student (Kerski 2003; Jo, Hong, and Verma 2016).

Data from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, LandScan Global Population 1998 Database. The LandScan Global Population Project is a worldwide population database at 30 x 30 (arc second) resolution for estimating ambient populations at risk. Best available census counts are distributed to cells based on probability coefficients which, in turn, are based on road proximity, slope, land cover, and nighttime lights. Global coverage has been completed. Verification and validation (V&V) studies have been conducted routinely for all regions and more extensively for portions of the Middle East and the Southwestern United States. Data-set has been exported as Binary format.

This horizontal bar chart displays population (people) by country using the aggregation sum in South America. The data is about countries.

This bar chart displays population (people) by country using the aggregation sum in South America. The data is about countries per year.

This horizontal bar chart displays urban population (people) by country full name using the aggregation sum in South America. The data is about countries per year.

Data from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, LandScan Global Population 1998 Database. Estimates for rural population were obtained by excluding the Urban Population Areas. This was achieved by removing settled and partly settled grid cells from the Landcover Dataset and removing(limiting) propulation density figures to produce a net result which approximates the known rural population. Data-set has been exported as Binary format.

In 2023, Brazil ranked first by total population among the 24 territories presented in the ranking. Brazil's total population amounted to 211.14 million people, while Mexico and Colombia, the second and third territories, had records amounting to 129.74 million people and 52.32 million people, respectively.

Population Growth for Developing Countries in Latin America and Caribbean was 0.72190 % Chg. at Annual Rate in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Population Growth for Developing Countries in Latin America and Caribbean reached a record high of 2.81451 in January of 1960 and a record low of 0.64510 in January of 2022. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Population Growth for Developing Countries in Latin America and Caribbean - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

Population, Total for Developing Countries in Latin America and Caribbean was 594995068.00000 Persons in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Population, Total for Developing Countries in Latin America and Caribbean reached a record high of 595242966.00000 in January of 2020 and a record low of 197123485.00000 in January of 1960. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Population, Total for Developing Countries in Latin America and Caribbean - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

Population Growth: All Income Levels for Latin America and Caribbean was 0.69007 % Chg. at Annual Rate in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Population Growth: All Income Levels for Latin America and Caribbean reached a record high of 2.77565 in January of 1962 and a record low of 0.57891 in January of 2021. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Population Growth: All Income Levels for Latin America and Caribbean - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

Historical dataset showing Latin America & Caribbean population growth rate by year from 1961 to 2023.

Population, Total: All Income Levels for Latin America and Caribbean was 657611624.00000 Persons in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Population, Total: All Income Levels for Latin America and Caribbean reached a record high of 657611624.00000 in January of 2023 and a record low of 219828794.00000 in January of 1960. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Population, Total: All Income Levels for Latin America and Caribbean - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

Population Ages 15 to 64 for Developing Countries in Latin America and Caribbean was 67.74124 % of Total in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Population Ages 15 to 64 for Developing Countries in Latin America and Caribbean reached a record high of 67.74124 in January of 2023 and a record low of 52.97665 in January of 1966. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Population Ages 15 to 64 for Developing Countries in Latin America and Caribbean - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

This bar chart displays urban population (people) by region using the aggregation sum in South America. The data is about countries.

Population Ages 0 to 14 for Developing Countries in Latin America and Caribbean was 22.98159 % of Total in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Population Ages 0 to 14 for Developing Countries in Latin America and Caribbean reached a record high of 43.26302 in January of 1966 and a record low of 22.98159 in January of 2023. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Population Ages 0 to 14 for Developing Countries in Latin America and Caribbean - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

This bar chart displays female population (people) by countries using the aggregation sum in South America. The data is about countries.

Population Ages 15 to 64: All Income Levels for Latin America and Caribbean was 67.59511 % of Total in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Population Ages 15 to 64: All Income Levels for Latin America and Caribbean reached a record high of 67.59511 in January of 2023 and a record low of 53.18056 in January of 1966. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Population Ages 15 to 64: All Income Levels for Latin America and Caribbean - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on December of 2025.