As of early 2026, the global population has officially surpassed 8.3 billion people . This milestone reflects a continuing, though slowing, growth trend driven primarily by high fertility rates in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Below is a breakdown of the population counts for the world’s nations, categorized by the most populous and regional leaders. The Global Top 10 In 2026, the "Big Two"—India and China—continue to account for more than 35% of all humans on Earth. India remains the most populous country, having overtaken China in 2023. Rank Country Estimated Population (2026) 1 India 1,476,630,000 2 China 1,412,910,000 3 United States 349,035,000 4 Indonesia 287,887,000 5 Pakistan 259,300,000 6 Nigeria 242,432,000 7 Brazil 213,563,000 8 Bangladesh 177,818,000 9 Russia 143,394,000 10 Ethiopia 138,902,000 Regional Population Leaders While the top 10 capture the bulk of the numbers, regional dynamics show where the next century of growth will occur. Africa Africa is cur...