List of Countries By Population

This is a list of countries by population. The list includes independent countries and inhabited dependent territories based on the ISO standard ISO 3166-1. Also given in percent is each country's population compared to the population of the world, which according to the United States Census Bureau population clock is estimated at 7.054 billion. According to a separate estimate by the United Nations, it exceeded 7 billion in October 2011. Areas that form integral parts of sovereign states, such as the countries of the United Kingdom, are counted as part of the sovereign states concerned. Not included are other entities, such as the European Union, that are not sovereign states, and dependent territories that do not have permanent populations, such as various countries' claims to Antarctica.n1

Figures used in this chart are based on the most recent estimate or projections by the national census authority where available and usually rounded off. Where there is not updated national data available, figures are based on the 2012 estimates by the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Because the compiled figures are not collected at the same time in every country, or at the same level of accuracy, the resulting numerical comparisons may bring about misleading conclusions. Furthermore, the addition of figures from all countries may not equal the world total.

For a graphical version of this list, see list of countries by population (graphical). See also List of sovereign states and dependent territories by population density and the list of regional organizations by population.