Source: World Population Prospects, the 2008 Revision. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), Population Division, New York.  See: www.unpopulation.org
Notes: Due to limitation of space country names were abbreviated. Russia stands for Russian Federation, UK stands for United Kingdom, Iran stands for Islamic Republic of Iran, Congo stands for Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania stands for United Republic of Tanzania, USA stands for United States of America.

In 1950, there were 6 European countries among the 20 most populous countries in the world (If one considers the Russian Federation a European country, it would have been seven).

In 2009, China and India are, by far, the most populous countries in the World. Germany is the only European country among the group of the 20 most populous countries in 2009. If one considers the Russian Federation as a European country, then there are two European nations among the group of the 20 most populous nations.

By 2050, there will be not a single European country among the 20 most populous nations. India, will have become the most population country - with some 200 million people more than China.

Demographically, India and China are in a league of their own. In 1950, the population in the most populous country (China) was more than three times as large as in the third-most-populous country (USA). In 2009, the China's population is now more than four times larger than that of the third-most-populous country (USA). By 2050, the most populous country will be India, and it's population will be a little less than four times as large as that of the USA.

Copyright © 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 by Gerhard K. Heilig. All rights reserved.