Population questions answered with numbers (2026)
Every answer is calculated from the data for 2026, so the page updates itself each year. Figures are UN mid-year estimates and projections unless noted; national statistics can differ slightly.
World population
How many people live in the world now?
About 8.27 billion people in 2026. That is 3.3 times the 2.47 billion of 1950, and 69.2 million more than in 2025.
When will the world population peak?
Around 2084, at about 10.28 billion. UN medium-variant projection. It then declines slowly, to about 10.17 billion in 2100.
When will the world reach 10 billion people?
In 2062, in the UN projection. It passed 8 billion in 2023 (mid-year estimates).
Which country has the largest population?
India, with about 1.47 billion people. Second is China (1.41 billion), third the United States of America (348.1 million). The top three hold 39% of the world's people.
When did India overtake China?
In 2023, in UN estimates. In 2026: India about 1.47 billion, China about 1.41 billion, a gap of 55.8 million. By 2050 the gap widens to about 412.4 million.
Which country or area has the smallest population?
The Holy See, with about 503 people. Then Niue (1,820) and Tokelau (2,660). Among the 237 countries and areas in the UN data, including territories.
Which countries will be the most populous in 2050?
India, China, the United States of America, Pakistan and Nigeria, in that order. India would have about 1.68 billion people. Moving up from 2026: Pakistan and Nigeria.
How far will Africa's population grow?
To about 3.81 billion by 2100. From about 1.57 billion in 2026 (19% of the world) to 2.45 billion in 2050. By 2100, 37% of the world's people would live in Africa.
How many countries are losing population?
65 countries and areas in 2026 (growing: 172). The largest of them include China, the Russian Federation, Japan and Germany. By 2050, 94 countries and areas would be shrinking.
Ageing, births and life expectancy
Which country is the most aged?
The Holy See (41.6% aged 65+). Among countries and areas with at least 1 million people: Japan (30.0% aged 65+). Next: Puerto Rico (25.5%), Italy (25.3%).
Which country is the youngest?
By median age: the Central African Republic (14.6 yrs). The median age splits the population into two halves. Next: Somalia (15.6 yrs), Chad (15.7 yrs). Japan: 50.2 yrs.
Which country has the lowest fertility rate?
By total fertility rate (births per woman): China, Macao SAR (0.70). Among countries and areas with at least 1 million people: China, Hong Kong SAR (0.75). Next: the Republic of Korea (0.76), China, Taiwan Province of China (0.86). Japan: 1.23. About 2.1 is needed to keep a population stable.
Which country has the highest fertility rate?
Chad (5.84). Next: the Democratic Republic of the Congo (5.80), Somalia (5.80). 159 countries and areas had a rate of 5 or more in 1950; 6 do in 2026.
How many countries have fertility below 2.1?
136 of 237 countries and areas in 2026. They are home to 73% of the world's people. By 2050 the count would be 169.
How many countries are 'super-aged' (21%+ aged 65 and over)?
38 countries and areas in 2026. By 2050 there would be 102. Japan crossed 21% in 2007.
Which country has the longest life expectancy?
Monaco (86.7 yrs). Among countries and areas with at least 1 million people: China, Hong Kong SAR (85.9 yrs). Life expectancy at birth, both sexes. Next: Japan (85.2 yrs), the Republic of Korea (84.6 yrs).
Which country has the shortest life expectancy?
Nigeria (55.0 yrs). The gap to the longest among countries and areas with 1 million+ people is about 31 years. Next: Chad (55.6 yrs), South Sudan (58.0 yrs).
Which countries are growing and shrinking fastest?
Among countries and areas with 1 million+ people, the Central African Republic grows fastest (+3.30% a year) and the Republic of Moldova shrinks fastest (-1.00% a year). At 3.3% a year a population doubles in about 21 years. Japan: -0.60%.
Japan's population
Where does Japan rank by population?
12th in 2026, with about 122.6 million people. It ranked 5th in 1950 and would rank 17th in 2050. Just above: Mexico; just below: Egypt.
When did Japan's population peak?
In 2010, at about 128.1 million, in UN estimates. Japan's own statistics put the peak in 2008. The UN figures are mid-year estimates and differ slightly in method.
When will Japan fall below 100 million?
In 2058, in the UN medium-variant projection. From about 122.6 million in 2026 to 105 million in 2050 and 76.2 million in 2100. Japan's own national projection (IPSS, 2023) has it below 100 million in 2056.
How aged is Japan compared with other countries?
30.0% are aged 65 and over: 3rd in the world, 1st among countries and areas with 1 million+ people. It would reach 37.2% by 2050.
What is Japan's fertility rate?
1.23 births per woman in 2026 (UN estimate). It has been below the replacement level of about 2.1 since 1974. Among countries and areas with 1 million+ people it is the 15th lowest.
Where does Japan rank in life expectancy?
85.2 yrs: 4th in the world, 2nd among countries and areas with 1 million+ people. Life expectancy at birth for both sexes, UN estimate.
What is Japan's median age?
50.2 yrs. Half the population is older than this. It was 21.3 yrs in 1950. 5th highest in the world.
Which age group is largest in Japan?
Age 52 (born 1974), with about 2.1 million people. This is the Dankai juniors (second baby boom) generation. Babies under 1 number about 751,000, roughly 36% of that.
How many people in Japan are 65 or older?
About 36.8 million in 2026, 30.0% of the population. Of these, about 22 million are 75 or older. There are 2.0 people aged 15–64 for each person aged 65+ (12.2 in 1950).
How many babies (age 0) are there in Japan?
About 751,000 in 2026. About 31% of the peak of 1950 (2.4 million). This is the mid-year count of under-ones, not annual births.
Japan's prefectures
Which prefectures have the most and fewest people?
Tokyo has the most (about 14.2 million), Tottori the fewest (about 527,000). 2025 projection. Tokyo has about 27 times as many people as Tottori.
Which prefecture is the most aged?
Akita, where 40.1% are aged 65 and over. 2025 projection. The lowest is Tokyo (22.8%). By 2050, Akita would reach 49.9%.
Which prefecture will lose the most people by 2050?
Akita, at -41.6% from 2020. Only Tokyo grows. Japan as a whole: -17.0%.
Living abroad
Which country has the lowest prices?
Among countries and areas with 1 million+ people, Nigeria: price level 13 (US = 100). Price level = GDP per person at market exchange rates ÷ at purchasing power parity (World Bank, latest year). 155 countries are cheaper than the US.
Which country has the highest prices?
Among countries and areas with 1 million+ people, Switzerland: price level 112 (US = 100). Next: Israel (101), the United States of America (100).
Which country has the lowest homicide rate?
Among countries and areas with 1 million+ people, Qatar: 0.07 per 100,000 people. Highest: Jamaica (49.4). Japan: 0.23. World Bank (UNODC), latest year.
Which countries are the hottest and coldest?
Among countries and areas with 1 million+ people, Mali is the hottest (29.3°C) and Canada the coldest (-4.0°C). 30-year national averages. Japan: 11.8°C.
Sources: UN World Population Prospects 2024 (population, fertility, life expectancy); World Bank World Development Indicators (prices, homicide); World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal (temperature); IPSS regional projections for Japan (2023).