Continental distribution
Why Asia is so large
Asia includes India, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Japan, the Philippines and many other populous states. Its share reflects long histories of agriculture, dense settlement and large state systems.
Why Africa matters for the future
Africa has many young populations and higher fertility than most other world regions. Even where fertility is falling, age structure can keep population growth high for decades.
Related topics
FAQ
Which continent has the most people?
Asia.
Which region is growing fastest?
Africa is the fastest-growing major world region in most demographic projections.