World population and statistical data

Statistical data about the world's population describes how many people live on the planet and how they are distributed among its countries, regions, cities and towns. These figures are central to geography, planning and the study of human society. They reveal where populations are concentrated, how fast they are growing or declining, and how settlement is divided between dense urban areas and sparsely populated countryside.

The basic source of population data is the census, a periodic official count of the inhabitants of a country, supplemented between censuses by estimates and surveys. From this raw count, statisticians derive measures such as total population, population density, growth rate, age distribution and the share of people living in cities. Comparable figures are compiled for individual settlements — from the largest metropolitan areas down to small towns — allowing places to be ranked and compared. International bodies assemble national data into global totals and projections of future population.

Closely related is the recording of geographic names, the standardised naming of places such as cities, rivers, mountains and administrative regions. Consistent place names, maintained in official gazetteers, are needed so that statistical data can be tied unambiguously to locations. This information sits within the broader field of human and political geography, which also studies settlements, economic activities, continents, oceans and the physical features — rivers, lakes and landforms — that shape where and how people live.

Frequently asked questions

How is population data collected?

The main source is the census, an official periodic count of inhabitants, supported by surveys and statistical estimates between counts.

What is population density?

It is the number of people living in a given area, usually expressed as people per square kilometre or square mile, showing how crowded a place is.

Why are standardised geographic names important?

Consistent place names allow statistical and geographic data to be linked unambiguously to specific locations, avoiding confusion between places with similar names.