This is a list of continents and continental subregions by population.
World population by continent, 2021
| Continent | Population (2021) [1] [2] [3] | % (world) | ±% p.a. (2010–2013) | Countries (2021) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| World | 7,909,295,151 | 100% | 1.17% | 191 |
| Asia | 4,694,576,167 | 59.4% | 1.04% | 49 |
| Africa | 1,393,676,444 | 17.6% | 2.57% | 54 |
| Europe | 745,173,774 | 9.4% | 0.08% | 51 |
| North America | 595,783,465 | 7.5% | 0.96% | 23 |
| South America | 434,254,119 | 5.5% | 1.06% | 12 |
| Oceania | 44,491,724 | 0.6% | 1.47% | 2 |
| Antarctica | 0 | 0% | 0% | 0 |
| Continental subregion | Population (2021) [1] [2] | % (world) | ±% p.a. (2010–2013) |
|---|---|---|---|
| World | 7,909,295,151 | 100% | 1.17% |
| Southern Asia [lower-alpha 1] | 1,989,452,478 | 25.2% | 1.32% |
| Eastern Asia | 1,663,696,923 | 21.0% | 0.57% |
| South-eastern Asia | 675,796,065 | 8.5% | 1.20% |
| Eastern Africa [lower-alpha 2] | 461,141,845 | 5.8% | 2.89% |
| South America | 434,254,119 | 5.5% | 1.06% |
| Western Africa [lower-alpha 3] | 418,544,337 | 5.3% | 2.78% |
| Northern America | 375,278,947 | 4.7% | 0.85% |
| Eastern Europe [lower-alpha 4] | 291,464,162 | 3.7% | 0.23% |
| Western Asia [lower-alpha 5] | 289,733,123 | 3.7% | 1.98% |
| Northern Africa [lower-alpha 6] | 255,737,736 | 3.2% | 1.70% |
| Western Europe [lower-alpha 7] | 195,381,649 | 2.5% | 0.25% |
| Middle Africa [lower-alpha 8] | 190,267,973 | 2.4% | 2.79% |
| Central America [lower-alpha 9] | 177,661,929 | 2.2% | 1.40% |
| Southern Europe | 152,130,606 | 1.9% | 0.24% |
| Northern Europe [lower-alpha 10] | 106,197,357 | 1.3% | 0.54% |
| Central Asia | 75,897,577 | 1.0% | 1.43% |
| Southern Africa | 67,984,554 | 0.9% | 0.91% |
| Caribbean | 44,182,048 | 0.6% | 0.71% |
| Australia and New Zealand | 31,050,816 | 0.4% | N/A |
| Melanesia [lower-alpha 11] | 12,188,834 | 0.2% | N/A |
| Polynesia | 717,467 | 0.009% | N/A |
| Micronesia | 534,606 | 0.007% | N/A |
| Antarctica | 0 | 0% | 0% |
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 66,923,000 | — |
| 1960 | 84,305,000 | +2.34% |
| 1970 | 110,428,000 | +2.74% |
| 1980 | 147,512,000 | +2.94% |
| 1990 | 198,232,000 | +3.00% |
| 2000 | 259,373,000 | +2.72% |
| 2010 | 342,743,000 | +2.83% |
| 2021 | 461,141,845 | +2.73% |
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 26,401,000 | — |
| 1960 | 32,216,000 | +2.01% |
| 1970 | 40,846,000 | +2.40% |
| 1980 | 53,135,000 | +2.67% |
| 1990 | 70,886,000 | +2.92% |
| 2000 | 96,113,000 | +3.09% |
| 2010 | 130,598,000 | +3.11% |
| 2021 | 190,267,973 | +3.48% |
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 49,222,000 | — |
| 1960 | 63,697,000 | +2.61% |
| 1970 | 82,883,000 | +2.67% |
| 1980 | 106,908,000 | +2.58% |
| 1990 | 140,117,000 | +2.74% |
| 2000 | 171,891,000 | +2.06% |
| 2010 | 203,717,000 | +1.71% |
| 2021 | 255,737,736 | +2.09% |
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 15,588,000 | — |
| 1960 | 19,724,000 | +2.38% |
| 1970 | 25,454,000 | +2.58% |
| 1980 | 32,997,000 | +2.63% |
| 1990 | 42,049,000 | +2.45% |
| 2000 | 51,451,000 | +2.04% |
| 2010 | 59,067,000 | +1.39% |
| 2021 | 67,984,554 | +1.29% |
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 70,769,000 | — |
| 1960 | 84,946,000 | +1.84% |
| 1970 | 106,015,000 | +2.24% |
| 1980 | 137,414,000 | +2.63% |
| 1990 | 180,331,000 | +2.76% |
| 2000 | 235,235,000 | +2.69% |
| 2010 | 307,982,000 | +2.73% |
| 2021 | 418,544,337 | +2.83% |
| 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% |
| 2021 | 1,393,676,444 | +2.66% |
| 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% |
| 2021 | 1,031,377,044 | +0.81% |
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 17,076,000 | — |
| 1960 | 20,724,000 | +1.96% |
| 1970 | 25,306,000 | +2.02% |
| 1980 | 29,748,000 | +1.63% |
| 1990 | 34,198,000 | +1.40% |
| 2000 | 38,314,000 | +1.14% |
| 2010 | 41,621,000 | +0.83% |
| 2021 | 44,182,048 | +0.54% |
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 38,029,000 | — |
| 1960 | 51,400,000 | +3.06% |
| 1970 | 69,702,000 | +3.09% |
| 1980 | 92,425,000 | +2.86% |
| 1990 | 114,823,000 | +2.19% |
| 2000 | 138,780,000 | +1.91% |
| 2010 | 161,117,000 | +1.50% |
| 2021 | 177,661,929 | +0.89% |
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 171,615,000 | — |
| 1960 | 204,167,000 | +1.75% |
| 1970 | 231,029,000 | +1.24% |
| 1980 | 254,217,000 | +0.96% |
| 1990 | 280,633,000 | +0.99% |
| 2000 | 313,724,000 | +1.12% |
| 2010 | 344,129,000 | +0.93% |
| 2021 | 375,278,947 | +0.79% |
| 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% |
| 2021 | 597,122,924 | +0.80% |
| 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% |
| 2021 | 434,254,119 | +0.82% |
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 18,131,000 | — |
| 1960 | 24,616,000 | +3.10% |
| 1970 | 33,156,000 | +3.02% |
| 1980 | 41,277,000 | +2.21% |
| 1990 | 50,407,929 | +2.02% |
| 2000 | 55,117,000 | +0.90% |
| 2010 | 62,139,000 | +1.21% |
| 2021 | 75,897,577 | +1.83% |
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 666,586,000 | — |
| 1960 | 788,145,000 | +1.69% |
| 1970 | 978,113,000 | +2.18% |
| 1980 | 1,173,372,000 | +1.84% |
| 1990 | 1,368,592,000 | +1.55% |
| 2000 | 1,496,284,000 | +0.90% |
| 2010 | 1,575,320,000 | +0.52% |
| 2021 | 1,663,696,923 | +0.50% |
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 164,900,000 | — |
| 1960 | 213,838,000 | +2.63% |
| 1970 | 281,521,000 | +2.79% |
| 1980 | 358,106,000 | +2.44% |
| 1990 | 445,665,000 | +2.21% |
| 2000 | 526,179,000 | +1.67% |
| 2010 | 596,708,000 | +1.27% |
| 2021 | 675,796,065 | +1.14% |
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 493,443,000 | — |
| 1960 | 593,943,000 | +1.87% |
| 1970 | 741,603,000 | +2.25% |
| 1980 | 939,043,000 | +2.39% |
| 1990 | 1,189,261,000 | +2.39% |
| 2000 | 1,451,933,000 | +2.02% |
| 2010 | 1,702,969,000 | +1.61% |
| 2021 | 1,989,452,478 | +1.42% |
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 50,957,000 | — |
| 1960 | 66,156,000 | +2.64% |
| 1970 | 86,037,000 | +2.66% |
| 1980 | 113,786,000 | +2.83% |
| 1990 | 148,552,000 | +2.70% |
| 2000 | 184,957,000 | +2.22% |
| 2010 | 232,703,000 | +2.32% |
| 2021 | 289,733,123 | +2.01% |
| 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% |
| 2021 | 4,694,576,167 | +1.08% |
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 220,171,000 | — |
| 1960 | 253,630,000 | +1.42% |
| 1970 | 276,396,000 | +0.86% |
| 1980 | 295,042,000 | +0.65% |
| 1990 | 310,027,000 | +0.50% |
| 2000 | 303,789,000 | −0.20% |
| 2010 | 294,591,000 | −0.31% |
| 2021 | 291,464,162 | −0.10% |
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 78,030,000 | — |
| 1960 | 81,790,000 | +0.47% |
| 1970 | 87,305,000 | +0.65% |
| 1980 | 89,833,000 | +0.29% |
| 1990 | 92,040,000 | +0.24% |
| 2000 | 94,397,000 | +0.25% |
| 2010 | 99,682,000 | +0.55% |
| 2021 | 106,197,357 | +0.58% |
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 108,633,000 | — |
| 1960 | 117,879,000 | +0.82% |
| 1970 | 127,617,000 | +0.80% |
| 1980 | 138,495,000 | +0.82% |
| 1990 | 143,404,000 | +0.35% |
| 2000 | 145,058,000 | +0.11% |
| 2010 | 153,360,000 | +0.56% |
| 2021 | 152,130,606 | −0.07% |
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 142,256,000 | — |
| 1960 | 152,320,000 | +0.69% |
| 1970 | 165,903,000 | +0.86% |
| 1980 | 170,489,000 | +0.27% |
| 1990 | 175,615,000 | +0.30% |
| 2000 | 183,163,000 | +0.42% |
| 2010 | 187,762,000 | +0.25% |
| 2021 | 195,381,649 | +0.36% |
| 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% |
| 2021 | 745,173,774 | +0.12% |
| 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% |
| 2021 | 44,491,724 | +2.20% |
| 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% |
| 2021 | 7,909,295,151 | +1.21% |
West Asia, also called Western Asia or Southwest Asia, is the westernmost region of Asia. As defined by most academics, UN bodies and other institutions, the subregion consists of Anatolia, the Arabian Peninsula, Iran, Mesopotamia, the Armenian highlands, the Levant, the island of Cyprus, the Sinai Peninsula and the South Caucasus. The region is separated from Africa by the Isthmus of Suez in Egypt, and separated from Europe by the waterways of the Turkish Straits and the watershed of the Greater Caucasus. Central Asia lies to its northeast, while South Asia lies to its east. Twelve seas surround the region (clockwise): the Aegean Sea, the Sea of Marmara, the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea, the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aqaba, the Gulf of Suez, and the Mediterranean Sea. West Asia contains the majority of the similarly defined Middle East, but excludes most of Egypt and the northwestern part of Turkey, and includes the southern part of the Caucasus.
Southern Europe is the southern region of Europe. It is also known as Mediterranean Europe, as its geography is marked by the Mediterranean Sea. Definitions of southern Europe include some or all of these countries and regions: Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Gibraltar, Greece, Italy, Kosovo, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Portugal, San Marino, Serbia, Slovenia, southern France, Spain, Turkey, and Vatican City.
A subregion is a part of a larger region or continent. Cardinal directions are commonly used to define subregions. There are many criteria for creating systems of subregions; this article is focusing on the UN statistical geoscheme, which is a changing, constantly updated, UN tool based on specific political geography considerations relevant in UN statistics.
Figures for the population of Europe vary according to the particular definition of Europe's boundaries. In 2018, Europe had a total population of over 751 million people. 448 million of that live in the European Union and 110 million live in European Russia, Russia being the most populous country in Europe.
Northern America is the northernmost subregion of North America as well as the northernmost region in the Americas. The boundaries may be drawn slightly differently. In one definition, it lies directly north of Middle America. Northern America's land frontier with the rest of North America then coincides with the Mexico–United States border. Geopolitically, according to the United Nations' scheme of geographical regions and subregions, Northern America consists of Bermuda, Canada, Greenland, Saint Pierre and Miquelon and the United States.
The West Indies is a subregion of North America, surrounded by the North Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, which comprises 13 independent island countries and 19 dependencies in three archipelagos: the Greater Antilles, the Lesser Antilles, and the Lucayan Archipelago.
The United Nations geoscheme is a system which divides 248 countries and territories in the world into six continental regions, 22 geographical subregions, and two intermediary regions. It was devised by the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) based on the M49 coding classification. The creators note that "the assignment of countries or areas to specific groupings is for statistical convenience and does not imply any assumption regarding political or other affiliation of countries or territories".
The following is an alphabetical list of subregions in the United Nations geoscheme for Africa, used by the United Nations and maintained by the UNSD department for statistical purposes.
The United Nations geoscheme for the Americas is an internal tool created and used by the UN's Statistics Division (UNSD) for the specific purpose of UN statistics.
The following is an alphabetical list of subregions in the United Nations geoscheme for Europe, created by the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD). The scheme subdivides the continent into Eastern Europe, Northern Europe, Southern Europe, and Western Europe. The UNSD notes that "the assignment of countries or areas to specific groupings is for statistical convenience and does not imply any assumption regarding political or other affiliation of countries or territories".
The United Nations geoscheme for Oceania is an internal tool created and used by the UN's Statistics Division (UNSD) for the specific purpose of UN statistics.
The United Nations geoscheme for Asia is an internal tool created and used by the United Nations, maintained by the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) for the specific purpose of UN statistics. The scheme's subregions are presented here in alphabetical order. Its subregions may not coincide with other geographic categorization schemes.
