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List of continents and continental subregions by population facts for kids

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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.


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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.%)

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.
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