Land on Earth is an inherently finite resource — but demand for it is always increasing. There are 50.1 million square miles of land area worldwide, and only some of it is habitable. Meanwhile, according to the World Bank, there are nearly 8 billion people on the planet, up from just 3 billion in 1960. Over the same period, global population density climbed from 74 people per square mile to 159.
Demand for land will likely only continue to grow in the foreseeable future. For any geography to maintain its population size, the average fertility rate should be around 2.1 children per woman. Currently, however, women are having an average of 2.3 children in their lifetime, meaning population growth and a more crowded world are virtual certainties in the coming years. (Here is a look at the countries with the highest birth rates.)
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 less densely populated than others.
Using 2022 data from the World Bank, 24/7 Wall St. identified the world’s 30 most sparsely 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 50 people per square mile, to fewer than 10. Not surprisingly, some of these countries are among the largest in the world by land area, like Australia, Canada, and Russia.
Despite spanning hundreds of thousands, or even millions of square miles, many of these countries are still home to large, densely populated cities. In all but six of the 30 countries on this list, over half of the population resides in an urban area. (Here is a look at the most densely populated countries in the world.)
In many of these places, high urbanization rates are partially attributable to vast expanses of land area that are either uninhabitable or undesirable. In both Canada and Russia, for example, large swathes of territory are subject to especially long and harsh winters. In other countries on this list, like Australia, Libya, Mali, and Mauritania, much of the landscape is claimed by desert.
Why It Matters
Population density can have a number of implications for governments, economies, and environments. Overpopulation and sprawl can put a strain on natural resources, negatively impact biodiversity, and create infrastructure challenges. In less densely populated areas, fewer people can mean a smaller tax base and limited incentive for business development. Residents can also struggle with access to essential services.
30. Uruguay
Population density in 2022: 51 people per sq. mile
Total population: 3,422,794 (130th most of 195 countries)
Total land area: 67,576 sq. miles (89th largest of 195 countries)
Population by community type: 95.7% urban; 4.3% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $71.2 billion ($20,795 per capita)
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 1.5 children per woman over lifetime
29. New Zealand
Population density in 2022: 50 people per sq. mile
Total population: 5,124,100 (122nd most of 195 countries)
Total land area: 101,665 sq. miles (74th largest of 195 countries)
Population by community type: 86.9% urban; 13.1% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $248.1 billion ($48,419 per capita)
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 1.6 children per woman over lifetime
28. Algeria
Population density in 2022: 49 people per sq. mile
Total population: 44,903,225 (34th most of 195 countries)
Total land area: 919,595 sq. miles (10th largest of 195 countries)
Population by community type: 74.8% urban; 25.2% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $195.0 billion ($4,343 per capita)
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 2.9 children per woman over lifetime
27. Mali
Population density in 2022: 48 people per sq. mile
Total population: 22,593,590 (58th most of 195 countries)
Total land area: 471,118 sq. miles (23rd largest of 195 countries)
Population by community type: 45.4% urban; 54.6% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $18.8 billion ($833 per capita)
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 6.0 children per woman over lifetime
26. Finland
Population density in 2022: 47 people per sq. mile
Total population: 5,556,106 (115th most of 195 countries)
Total land area: 117,355 sq. miles (70th largest of 195 countries)
Population by community type: 85.7% urban; 14.3% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $282.6 billion ($50,872 per capita)
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 1.5 children per woman over lifetime
25. Belize
Population density in 2022: 46 people per sq. mile
Total population: 405,272 (171st most of 195 countries)
Total land area: 8,807 sq. miles (147th largest of 195 countries)
Population by community type: 46.4% urban; 53.6% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $2.8 billion ($6,984 per capita)
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 2.0 children per woman over lifetime
24. Congo, Rep.
Population density in 2022: 45 people per sq. mile
Total population: 5,970,424 (111th most of 195 countries)
Total land area: 131,854 sq. miles (64th largest of 195 countries)
Population by community type: 68.7% urban; 31.3% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $15.8 billion ($2,649 per capita)
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 4.2 children per woman over lifetime
23. South Sudan
Population density in 2022: 45 people per sq. mile
Total population: 10,913,164 (85th most of 195 countries)
Total land area: 243,990 sq. miles (41st largest of 195 countries)
Population by community type: 20.8% urban; 79.2% rural
Gross domestic product in 2015: $12.0 billion ($1,072 per capita)
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 4.5 children per woman over lifetime
22. Paraguay
Population density in 2022: 44 people per sq. mile
Total population: 6,780,744 (106th most of 195 countries)
Total land area: 153,398 sq. miles (59th largest of 195 countries)
Population by community type: 62.8% urban; 37.2% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $41.7 billion ($6,153 per capita)
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 2.5 children per woman over lifetime
21. Saudi Arabia
Population density in 2022: 44 people per sq. mile
Total population: 36,408,820 (41st most of 195 countries)
Total land area: 830,000 sq. miles (12th largest of 195 countries)
Population by community type: 84.7% urban; 15.3% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $1.1 trillion ($30,448 per capita)
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 2.4 children per woman over lifetime
20. Argentina
Population density in 2022: 44 people per sq. mile
Total population: 46,234,830 (33rd most of 195 countries)
Total land area: 1,056,642 sq. miles (8th largest of 195 countries)
Population by community type: 92.3% urban; 7.7% rural
Gross domestic product in 2022: $631.1 billion ($13,651 per capita)
Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 1.9 children per woman over lifetime
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