World Population Flags
What if we displayed
the countries as circle-
shaped 5ags and sized
them proportionally by
their population?
Welcome to this visualisation of the world’s
population. In this Dorling cartogram, each
country is represented by its 5ag in the shape
of a circle, with the size of the circle
corresponding to the population of that
country. This approach allows us to see
relative population sizes in a visually intuitive
way.
Scroll to explore the population 5ags of the
world.
Explore this map by scrolling to gain insight
into how populations are distributed across
different regions and how each country
compares to others. At the end of the page,
you have the chance to explore the map
yourself in more detail.
In 2000, there were an
estimated 6.1 billion
people on the planet.
By 2021, that number
had climbed to nearly
7.9 billion.
This growth has been uneven across
continents, driven by various factors including
fertility rates, migration, and economic
development.
Asia is the continent
with the most people in
the world.
Asia has grown a lot since 2000. Asia’s
population has grown from 3.7 billion at the
turn of the millennium to 4.7 billion by 2021,
largely driven by growth in countries like India,
Pakistan, and Indonesia.
India and China, the
two countries with the
largest population,
together make up
about one-third of the
world’s population.
While China’s growth rate has slowed
signiOcantly due to its aging population and
policies like the former one-child policy, India’s
population continues to grow rapidly and has
surpassed China’s.
The demographic story of Asia is evolving.
While India’s population continues to rise
rapidly, countries like Japan and South Korea
face declining birth rates, prompting concerns
about economic sustainability. Despite these
challenges, the continent remains dynamic,
with expanding cities, a growing middle class,
and increasing life expectancy.
Africa’s population has
grown rapidly since
2000.
In 2000, the continent had approximately 814
million inhabitants. By 2021, this number
surged to around 1.4 billion, making Africa the
second most populous continent. This rapid
increase is primarily due to high birth rates and
improvements in healthcare that have reduced
mortality rates. The population growth rate in
Africa remains the highest among all
continents, driven by a youthful demographic
and large families.
Projections suggest
that by 2050, Africa’s
population could
double.
The population of the
Americas has
exhibited a consistent
upward trajectory since
2000.
The combined population of North and South
America increased from 841 million in 2000 to
1.04 billion by 2021. The United States,
Mexico, and Brazil are the main contributors to
this growth, driven by relatively high birth rates
and substantial immigration. Canada also
experiences growth, albeit at a slower rate.
Urbanisation is a signiOcant trend, with many
people moving to cities in search of better
opportunities, leading to the expansion of
urban areas and associated socio-economic
challenges. Overall, the Americas display
diverse demographic trends, with increasing
urban populations and growing diversity
shaping the region’s social and economic
landscapes.
Meanwhile, the
population dynamics in
Europe are different to
the other continents.
The continent has experienced relatively slow
growth since 2000. The population in 2000
was about 726 million and has increased
modestly to around 745 million in 2021. Many
European countries face low birth rates and
aging populations, leading to demographic
challenges such as labor shortages and
increased healthcare demands. Some growth
has been sustained through immigration.
Despite these trends, Europe remains one of
the least densely populated continents relative
to its economic output and land area.
Oceania, including
Australia, New Zealand,
and the PaciOc islands,
has experienced a
steady population
growth since 2000.
The population of the region has increased
from around 31 million to about 44 million by
2021, driven by Australia’s immigration policies
and expanding economic opportunities.
Similarly, New Zealand has seen consistent
increases, while growth rates among smaller
PaciOc island nations 5uctuate due to varying
economic conditions and emigration trends.
Across Oceania, demographic changes are
shaped by a combination of natural population
growth and migration, contributing to the
region’s evolving and diverse population
landscape.
Now explore the 5ags
of the world by
yourself.
Zoom in to discover the populations of smaller
countries that might be less immediately
visible, such as those in the PaciOc Islands or
the Caribbean. Hover over a 5ag to see the
exact number of inhabitants.
