The Most Populous Country

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China

China has the biggest population of any country on Earth.

Its people number well over 1.3 billion – and counting.

But will it top the world's population table forever?

India

Another country is hot on China's heels.

This is India.

Its population is also over 1 billion.

Although India's population is still many millions below China's, crucially, it is growing faster.

Although China's population is currently greater than India's, its population is increasing at only around 0.5% each year.

This means that each year China's population rises by around 6.5 million people.

Whereas India's population is increasing by closer to 1.5% each year – over 16 million more people every year.

This means the day will come when India's population will be equal to China's.

Experts predict this will happen in 2023.

From 2024 on, it is expected that China's population will be less than India's.

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However, India may not boast the most citizens forever.

Several countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have population growth rates of over 3% each year.

This suggests that an African nation could one day come to have a population greater than any other country in the world.