◎ People of Earth Explore the data ↗
One planet · Billions of stories

One world.
Billions of us.

Discover how many people share our planet, where people live, and how the world’s population has changed over time.

See the population ↓Explore the regions
🌍 One shared home
Estimated world population
8,200,000,000+

A rounded estimate based on UN population projections. The number changes over time and is not an exact real-time count.

8+ billionpeople on Earth

Population figures are estimates, not a live count of every person. For the latest official data, see the United Nations World Population Prospects.

A global picture

Where we live

People live across every continent, but the population is not spread evenly. Asia is home to the largest share of the world’s people.

🌏

Asia

The world's most populous region, with large populations in countries such as India and China.

~59% of people
🌍

Africa

A young and rapidly growing population, with many communities and cultures.

~19% of people
🌎

Other regions

Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Northern America, and Oceania make up the rest.

~22% combined

Regional shares are rounded, approximate figures based on recent UN estimates; definitions and reference years can affect totals.

A changing planet

Population over time

Human population grew especially quickly during the 20th century. Growth continues today, but the rate has slowed compared with its peak.

1800
~1 billion
1927
~2 billion
1974
~4 billion
2011
~7 billion
2022
~8 billion

Historical milestones are rounded. The UN marked the world reaching 8 billion people on 15 November 2022.

Why it matters

More people means more shared choices.

Population change affects the way societies plan homes, schools, transport, healthcare, food, water, and energy.

Explore UN data ↗
01

Births and deaths shape growth

Population changes when people are born, when people die, and when people move between countries.

02

Growth rates are different

Some countries have growing populations, while others are ageing or shrinking. There is no single story for every place.

03

The future is an estimate

Population projections use assumptions about fertility, mortality, and migration, so future totals can change.

Curious about the numbers?

Population clocks are estimates built from demographic data. Use trusted sources and check the year behind any figure you quote for schoolwork.