List of continents and continental subregions by population facts for kids
The Earth is a big place, and it's home to billions of people! This article will help you understand how people are spread out across our amazing continents and their smaller subregions.
World population by continent, 2018 Asia (59.8%) Africa (16.7%) Europe (9.8%) North America (7.6%) South America (5.6%) Oceania (0.5%) Antarctica (Expression error: Unexpected / operator.%)
Contents
How Many People Live on Each Continent?
Have you ever wondered which continent has the most people? Or the fewest? This section shows you how the world's population is spread out across the seven continents.
| Continent | Population (2018) |
% of World Population | Countries (2021) |
|---|---|---|---|
| World | 7,631,091,040 | 100% | 191 |
| Asia | 4,560,667,108 | 59.8% | 49 |
| Africa | 1,275,920,972 | 16.7% | 54 |
| Europe | 746,419,440 | 9.8% | 51 |
| North America | 582,931,600 | 7.6% | 23 |
| South America | 423,581,078 | 5.6% | 12 |
| Oceania | 41,570,842 | 0.5% | 2 |
| Antarctica | Expression error: Unexpected / operator.% | 1 |
Population Changes Over Time
The number of people living on Earth and on each continent changes all the time! Here's a look at how populations have grown from 1950 to today.
Africa's Population Growth
Africa has seen a lot of growth in its population over the years. This continent is divided into different regions, and each has grown at its own pace.
| Total Africa | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
| 1950 | 228,902,000 | — |
| 1960 | 284,887,000 | +2.21% |
| 1970 | 365,626,000 | +2.53% |
| 1980 | 477,965,000 | +2.72% |
| 1990 | 631,614,000 | +2.83% |
| 2000 | 814,063,000 | +2.57% |
| 2010 | 1,044,107,000 | +2.52% |
| 2018 | 1,275,920,972 | +2.54% |
The Americas' Population Growth
The Americas, which include both North and South America, have also seen significant population increases.
| Total Americas | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
| 1950 | 340,459,000 | — |
| 1960 | 425,357,000 | +2.25% |
| 1970 | 519,522,000 | +2.02% |
| 1980 | 619,252,000 | +1.77% |
| 1990 | 727,522,000 | +1.62% |
| 2000 | 840,614,000 | +1.46% |
| 2010 | 943,952,000 | +1.17% |
| 2018 | 1,006,512,678 | +0.81% |
North America's Population
North America includes countries like Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Its population has steadily grown.
| Total North America | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
| 1950 | 226,719,000 | — |
| 1960 | 276,291,000 | +2.00% |
| 1970 | 326,036,000 | +1.67% |
| 1980 | 376,390,000 | +1.45% |
| 1990 | 429,653,000 | +1.33% |
| 2000 | 490,818,000 | +1.34% |
| 2010 | 546,867,000 | +1.09% |
| 2018 | 582,931,600 | +0.80% |
South America's Population
South America is home to many diverse countries. Its population has also shown strong growth over the decades.
| Total South America | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
| 1950 | 113,739,000 | — |
| 1960 | 149,066,000 | +2.74% |
| 1970 | 193,486,000 | +2.64% |
| 1980 | 242,862,000 | +2.30% |
| 1990 | 297,869,000 | +2.06% |
| 2000 | 349,796,000 | +1.62% |
| 2010 | 397,085,000 | +1.28% |
| 2018 | 423,581,078 | +0.81% |
Asia's Population Growth
Asia is the largest continent and has the biggest population. It has seen massive growth, especially in countries like China and India.
| Total Asia | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
| 1950 | 1,394,018,000 | — |
| 1960 | 1,686,698,000 | +1.92% |
| 1970 | 2,120,430,000 | +2.31% |
| 1980 | 2,625,584,000 | +2.16% |
| 1990 | 3,202,475,000 | +2.01% |
| 2000 | 3,714,470,000 | +1.49% |
| 2010 | 4,169,850,000 | +1.16% |
| 2018 | 4,560,667,108 | +1.13% |
Europe's Population Growth
Europe's population growth has been slower compared to other continents. Some parts of Europe have even seen their populations decrease.
| Total Europe | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
| 1950 | 549,089,000 | — |
| 1960 | 605,619,000 | +0.98% |
| 1970 | 657,221,000 | +0.82% |
| 1980 | 693,859,000 | +0.54% |
| 1990 | 721,086,000 | +0.39% |
| 2000 | 726,407,000 | +0.07% |
| 2010 | 735,395,000 | +0.12% |
| 2018 | 746,419,440 | +0.19% |
Oceania's Population Growth
Oceania includes Australia, New Zealand, and many islands in the Pacific Ocean. Its population is the smallest among the continents but has also grown over time.
| Total Oceania | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
| 1950 | 12,682,000 | — |
| 1960 | 15,784,000 | +2.21% |
| 1970 | 19,688,000 | +2.23% |
| 1980 | 22,972,000 | +1.55% |
| 1990 | 26,971,000 | +1.62% |
| 2000 | 31,068,000 | +1.42% |
| 2010 | 36,411,000 | +1.60% |
| 2016 | 39,901,000 | +1.54% |
| 2018 | 41,570,842 | +2.07% |
World Population Growth
The total number of people on Earth has increased dramatically since 1950. This growth is a big topic for scientists and governments around the world.
| Total World | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
| 1950 | 2,525,149,000 | — |
| 1960 | 3,018,344,000 | +1.80% |
| 1970 | 3,682,488,000 | +2.01% |
| 1980 | 4,439,632,000 | +1.89% |
| 1990 | 5,309,668,000 | +1.81% |
| 2000 | 6,126,622,000 | +1.44% |
| 2010 | 6,929,725,000 | +1.24% |
| 2018 | 7,631,091,040 | +1.21% |
Sources
- All figures come from the 2015 Revision of the United Nations World Population Prospects.
