There are an estimated 50.1 million miles of land area globally, and not all of it is inhabitable. While land is an inherently limited resource, demand for it is only growing. The number of people worldwide has more than doubled over the last six decades, from 3.0 billion to nearly 8 billion, according to the World Bank. And based on the current global fertility rate, continued population growth is a virtual certainty in the foreseeable future.
In much of the world, population growth has led to urban sprawl and the rapid expansion of cities. According to the World Bank, only about 34% of the global population lived in an urban area in the early 1960s. Now, nearly 57% do. Over the same period, the number of people per square mile of land area worldwide climbed from 74 to 159.
Of course, the global population is not spread evenly across the world’s 195 countries. And due to variations in geographic area and population size at the country level, some parts of the world are far more densely populated than others.
Using 2022 data from the World Bank, 24/7 Wall St. identified the world’s 30 most densely populated countries. Supplemental data on population distribution, gross domestic product, and total fertility rates — or the average number of children women have in their lifetime — are also from the World Bank and are for the latest available year.
The countries on this list range in population density, from about 773 people per square mile, to over 45,000 per square mile. These countries include some of the most populous in the world — like Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan — but in many cases, high population density is primarily attributable to limited space. Over a dozen countries on this list have a land area of less than 1,000 square miles. For context, the U.S. spans over 3.5 million square miles. (Here is a look at the most populous countries on Earth today.)
In most of these countries — particularly the smallest geographically — large cities are the only way to accommodate the population. In most countries on this list, over half of the population reside in urban areas, and in 13, over 80% do.
Many of these countries are already struggling with overpopulation, with straining infrastructure and growing demand — and in some of them, the problems will get worse before they get better. For a country to maintain its population size — immigration notwithstanding — the average fertility rate should be around 2.1 children per woman, and in 10 countries on this list, fertility rates are well below that threshold. (These are the countries with the highest birth rates.)
Why It Matters
Population density and levels of urbanization can have far reaching implications for ecosystems, infrastructure, and human health. Overpopulation and sprawl can put a strain on natural resources, negatively impact biodiversity, and create infrastructure challenges. Additionally, infectious diseases tend to spread much faster in densely populated areas.
30. Trinidad and Tobago
Population density in 2022: 773 people per sq. mile
Total population: 1,531,044 (150th most of 195 countries)
Total land area: 1,981 sq. miles (164th largest of 195 countries)
Population distribution: 53.3% urban; 46.7% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $30.1 billion ($19,629 per capita)
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 1.6 children per woman over lifetime
29. El Salvador
Population density in 2022: 792 people per sq. mile
Total population: 6,336,392 (110th most of 195 countries)
Total land area: 8,000 sq. miles (149th largest of 195 countries)
Population distribution: 74.8% urban; 25.2% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $32.5 billion ($5,127 per capita)
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 1.8 children per woman over lifetime
28. Pakistan
Population density in 2022: 792 people per sq. mile
Total population: 235,824,862 (5th most of 195 countries)
Total land area: 297,638 sq. miles (35th largest of 195 countries)
Population distribution: 37.7% urban; 62.3% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $374.7 billion ($1,589 per capita)
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 3.5 children per woman over lifetime
27. Viet Nam
Population density in 2022: 811 people per sq. mile
Total population: 98,186,856 (16th most of 195 countries)
Total land area: 121,016 sq. miles (67th largest of 195 countries)
Population distribution: 38.8% urban; 61.2% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $408.8 billion ($4,164 per capita)
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 1.9 children per woman over lifetime
26. Guam
Population density in 2022: 824 people per sq. mile
Total population: 171,774 (178th most of 195 countries)
Total land area: 208 sq. miles (178th largest of 195 countries)
Population distribution: 95.1% urban; 4.9% rural
Gross domestic product in 2021: $6.1 billion ($35,905 per capita)
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 2.6 children per woman over lifetime
25. Japan
Population density in 2022: 889 people per sq. mile
Total population: 125,124,989 (11th most of 195 countries)
Total land area: 140,734 sq. miles (61st largest of 195 countries)
Population distribution: 92.0% urban; 8.0% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $4.3 trillion ($34,017 per capita)
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 1.3 children per woman over lifetime
24. Sri Lanka
Population density in 2022: 929 people per sq. mile
Total population: 22,181,000 (59th most of 195 countries)
Total land area: 23,884 sq. miles (122nd largest of 195 countries)
Population distribution: 19.0% urban; 81.0% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $74.4 billion ($3,354 per capita)
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 2.0 children per woman over lifetime
23. Grenada
Population density in 2022: 956 people per sq. mile
Total population: 125,438 (180th most of 195 countries)
Total land area: 131 sq. miles (185th largest of 195 countries)
Population distribution: 36.9% urban; 63.1% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $1.2 billion ($9,689 per capita)
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 2.0 children per woman over lifetime
22. Tuvalu
Population density in 2022: 977 people per sq. mile
Total population: 11,312 (the least of 195 countries)
Total land area: 12 sq. miles (192nd largest of 195 countries)
Population distribution: 65.5% urban; 34.5% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $59.1 million ($5,222 per capita)
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 3.2 children per woman over lifetime
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