Using 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.
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.
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.
Take a look at the world’s most densely populated countries:
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
21. Belgium
- Population density in 2022: 1,000 people per sq. mile
- Total population: 11,685,814 (80th most of 195 countries)
- Total land area: 11,691 sq. miles (136th largest of 195 countries)
- Population distribution: 98.2% urban; 1.8% rural
- Gross domestic product in 2022: $583.4 billion ($49,927 per capita)
- Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 1.6 children per woman over lifetime
20. Philippines
- Population density in 2022: 1,004 people per sq. mile
- Total population: 115,559,009 (13th most of 195 countries)
- Total land area: 115,124 sq. miles (71st largest of 195 countries)
- Population distribution: 48.0% urban; 52.0% rural
- Gross domestic product in 2022: $404.3 billion ($3,499 per capita)
- Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 2.7 children per woman over lifetime
19. Haiti
- Population density in 2022: 1,089 people per sq. mile
- Total population: 11,584,996 (81st most of 195 countries)
- Total land area: 10,641 sq. miles (141st largest of 195 countries)
- Population distribution: 58.8% urban; 41.2% rural
- Gross domestic product in 2022: $20.3 billion ($1,748 per capita)
- Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 2.8 children per woman over lifetime
18. Israel
- Population density in 2022: 1,144 people per sq. mile
- Total population: 9,557,500 (95th most of 195 countries)
- Total land area: 8,355 sq. miles (148th largest of 195 countries)
- Population distribution: 92.8% urban; 7.2% rural
- Gross domestic product in 2022: $525.0 billion ($54,931 per capita)
- Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 3.0 children per woman over lifetime
17. Comoros
- Population density in 2022: 1,165 people per sq. mile
- Total population: 836,774 (159th most of 195 countries)
- Total land area: 719 sq. miles (169th largest of 195 countries)
- Population distribution: 29.9% urban; 70.1% rural
- Gross domestic product in 2022: $1.2 billion ($1,485 per capita)
- Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 4.0 children per woman over lifetime
16. India
- Population density in 2022: 1,235 people per sq. mile
- Total population: 1,417,173,173 (the most of 195 countries)
- Total land area: 1,147,955 sq. miles (7th largest of 195 countries)
- Population distribution: 35.9% urban; 64.1% rural
- Gross domestic product in 2022: $3.4 trillion ($2,411 per capita)
- Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 2.0 children per woman over lifetime
15. Burundi
- Population density in 2022: 1,300 people per sq. mile
- Total population: 12,889,576 (77th most of 195 countries)
- Total land area: 9,915 sq. miles (143rd largest of 195 countries)
- Population distribution: 14.4% urban; 85.6% rural
- Gross domestic product in 2022: $3.3 billion ($259 per capita)
- Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 5.1 children per woman over lifetime
14. Netherlands
- Population density in 2022: 1,362 people per sq. mile
- Total population: 17,700,982 (68th most of 195 countries)
- Total land area: 13,000 sq. miles (133rd largest of 195 countries)
- Population distribution: 92.9% urban; 7.1% rural
- Gross domestic product in 2022: $1.0 trillion ($57,025 per capita)
- Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 1.6 children per woman over lifetime
13. Korea, Rep.
- Population density in 2022: 1,370 people per sq. mile
- Total population: 51,628,117 (29th most of 195 countries)
- Total land area: 37,684 sq. miles (105th largest of 195 countries)
- Population distribution: 81.4% urban; 18.6% rural
- Gross domestic product in 2022: $1.7 trillion ($32,423 per capita)
- Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 0.8 children per woman over lifetime
12. Lebanon
- Population density in 2022: 1,390 people per sq. mile
- Total population: 5,489,739 (116th most of 195 countries)
- Total land area: 3,950 sq. miles (159th largest of 195 countries)
- Population distribution: 89.3% urban; 10.7% rural
- Gross domestic product in 2021: $23.1 billion ($4,136 per capita)
- Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 2.1 children per woman over lifetime
11. Rwanda
- Population density in 2022: 1,446 people per sq. mile
- Total population: 13,776,698 (75th most of 195 countries)
- Total land area: 9,525 sq. miles (145th largest of 195 countries)
- Population distribution: 17.7% urban; 82.3% rural
- Gross domestic product in 2022: $13.3 billion ($966 per capita)
- Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 3.8 children per woman over lifetime
10. San Marino
- Population density in 2022: 1,453 people per sq. mile
- Total population: 33,660 (192nd most of 195 countries)
- Total land area: 23 sq. miles (191st largest of 195 countries)
- Population distribution: 97.7% urban; 2.3% rural
- Gross domestic product in 2021: $1.9 billion ($54,982 per capita)
- Total fertility rate in 2021: N/A
9. Mauritius
- Population density in 2022: 1,637 people per sq. mile
- Total population: 1,262,523 (154th most of 195 countries)
- Total land area: 771 sq. miles (168th largest of 195 countries)
- Population distribution: 40.8% urban; 59.2% rural
- Gross domestic product in 2022: $12.9 billion ($10,256 per capita)
- Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 1.4 children per woman over lifetime
8. Nauru
- Population density in 2022: 1,640 people per sq. mile
- Total population: 12,668 (194th most of 195 countries)
- Total land area: 8 sq. miles (193rd largest of 195 countries)
- Population distribution: 100% urban; 0% rural
- Gross domestic product in 2022: $151.6 million ($11,971 per capita)
- Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 3.5 children per woman over lifetime
7. Barbados
- Population density in 2022: 1,696 people per sq. mile
- Total population: 281,635 (174th most of 195 countries)
- Total land area: 166 sq. miles (183rd largest of 195 countries)
- Population distribution: 31.3% urban; 68.7% rural
- Gross domestic product in 2022: $5.7 billion ($20,239 per capita)
- Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 1.6 children per woman over lifetime
6. Bangladesh
- Population density in 2022: 3,406 people per sq. mile
- Total population: 171,186,372 (8th most of 195 countries)
- Total land area: 50,259 sq. miles (94th largest of 195 countries)
- Population distribution: 39.7% urban; 60.3% rural
- Gross domestic product in 2022: $460.2 billion ($2,688 per capita)
- Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 2.0 children per woman over lifetime
5. Malta
- Population density in 2022: 4,299 people per sq. mile
- Total population: 531,113 (167th most of 195 countries)
- Total land area: 124 sq. miles (186th largest of 195 countries)
- Population distribution: 94.9% urban; 5.1% rural
- Gross domestic product in 2022: $18.1 billion ($34,128 per capita)
- Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 1.1 children per woman over lifetime
4. Maldives
- Population density in 2022: 4,522 people per sq. mile
- Total population: 523,787 (168th most of 195 countries)
- Total land area: 116 sq. miles (187th largest of 195 countries)
- Population distribution: 41.5% urban; 58.5% rural
- Gross domestic product in 2022: $6.2 billion ($11,781 per capita)
- Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 1.7 children per woman over lifetime
3. Bahrain
- Population density in 2022: 4,827 people per sq. mile
- Total population: 1,472,233 (151st most of 195 countries)
- Total land area: 305 sq. miles (172nd largest of 195 countries)
- Population distribution: 89.7% urban; 10.3% rural
- Gross domestic product in 2022: $44.4 billion ($30,147 per capita)
- Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 1.8 children per woman over lifetime
2. Singapore
- Population density in 2022: 20,334 people per sq. mile
- Total population: 5,637,022 (113th most of 195 countries)
- Total land area: 277 sq. miles (175th largest of 195 countries)
- Population distribution: 100% urban; 0% rural
- Gross domestic product in 2022: $466.8 billion ($82,808 per capita)
- Total fertility rate in 2021: Avg. of 1.1 children per woman over lifetime
1. Monaco
- Population density in 2022: 45,324 people per sq. mile
- Total population: 36,469 (191st most of 195 countries)
- Total land area: 1 sq. mile (194th largest of 195 countries)
- Population distribution: 100% urban; 0% rural
- Gross domestic product in 2022: $8.8 billion ($240,862 per capita)
- Total fertility rate in 2021: N/A
| Rank | Country | People per sq. mi | Total population | Land area (sq. mi) | Population in urban areas (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monaco | 45,324 | 36,469 | 1 | 100.0 |
| 2 | Singapore | 20,334 | 5,637,022 | 277 | 100.0 |
| 3 | Bahrain | 4,827 | 1,472,233 | 305 | 89.7 |
| 4 | Maldives | 4,522 | 523,787 | 116 | 41.5 |
| 5 | Malta | 4,299 | 531,113 | 124 | 94.9 |
| 6 | Bangladesh | 3,406 | 171,186,372 | 50,259 | 39.7 |
| 7 | Barbados | 1,696 | 281,635 | 166 | 31.3 |
| 8 | Nauru | 1,640 | 12,668 | 8 | 100.0 |
| 9 | Mauritius | 1,637 | 1,262,523 | 771 | 40.8 |
| 10 | San Marino | 1,453 | 33,660 | 23 | 97.7 |
| 11 | Rwanda | 1,446 | 13,776,698 | 9,525 | 17.7 |
| 12 | Lebanon | 1,390 | 5,489,739 | 3,950 | 89.3 |
| 13 | Korea, Rep. | 1,370 | 51,628,117 | 37,684 | 81.4 |
| 14 | Netherlands | 1,362 | 17,700,982 | 13,000 | 92.9 |
| 15 | Burundi | 1,300 | 12,889,576 | 9,915 | 14.4 |
| 16 | India | 1,235 | 1,417,173,173 | 1,147,955 | 35.9 |
| 17 | Comoros | 1,165 | 836,774 | 719 | 29.9 |
| 18 | Israel | 1,144 | 9,557,500 | 8,355 | 92.8 |
| 19 | Haiti | 1,089 | 11,584,996 | 10,641 | 58.8 |
| 20 | Philippines | 1,004 | 115,559,009 | 115,124 | 48.0 |
| 21 | Belgium | 1,000 | 11,685,814 | 11,691 | 98.2 |
| 22 | Tuvalu | 977 | 11,312 | 12 | 65.5 |
| 23 | Grenada | 956 | 125,438 | 131 | 36.9 |
| 24 | Sri Lanka | 929 | 22,181,000 | 23,884 | 19.0 |
| 25 | Japan | 889 | 125,124,989 | 140,734 | 92.0 |
| 26 | Guam | 824 | 171,774 | 208 | 95.1 |
| 27 | Viet Nam | 811 | 98,186,856 | 121,016 | 38.8 |
| 28 | Pakistan | 792 | 235,824,862 | 297,638 | 37.7 |
| 29 | El Salvador | 792 | 6,336,392 | 8,000 | 74.8 |
| 30 | Trinidad and Tobago | 773 | 1,531,044 | 1,981 | 53.3 |
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