World

Total Population
7.96 billion
Largest Country: China
1.44 billion

The 2022 World Population Data Sheet provides the latest population, health, and environment indicators for more than 200 countries and territories, each carefully researched by PRB’s expert team of demographers and analysts. Read more about the 2022 Data Sheet: Press Release

FULLY VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19
The region with the lowest vaccination rate is sub-Saharan Africa at 17% of the population
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SPECIAL FOCUS ON THE DEMOGRAPHIC IMPACTS OF COVID-19
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LOWEST TOTAL FERTILITY RATE
East Asia has the lowest total fertility rate of any region at 1.2 births per woman
THE OLDEST REGION
22% of Southern Europe’s population is ages 65+
The World’s Population

The world experienced nearly 7.5 million annual excess deaths associated with the COVID-19 pandemic on average in 2020 and 2021, meaning they weren’t expected to happen if not for the pandemic. The excess deaths represent deaths occurring directly or indirectly because of the pandemic, with causes ranging from COVID-19 itself to delayed or unavailable treatments and care. The pandemic also resulted in decreases in deaths from other causes, such as traffic accidents and influenza, through its effects on people’s behaviors.

The pandemic’s impacts on mortality have varied by country, as have its impacts on births. Yet, its effects on fertility have generally been limited. Many high-income countries like the United States experienced only a temporary decline in fertility. However, evidence suggests that in some countries like Uganda, school closures have contributed to increases in teenage pregnancies. Globally, the total fertility rate—or average lifetime births per woman—is 2.3, but large variations exist, ranging from 5.6 in Middle Africa to 1.2 in East Asia.

Our Researchers
Toshiko Kaneda
Technical Director, Demographic Research
Charlotte Greenbaum
Senior Policy Advisor
Carl Haub
Demographer Emeritus
EXCESS DEATHS AS % OF TOTAL DEATHS
17% of total deaths in South Asia in 2020 and 2021 on average were excess deaths due to the pandemic
LIFE EXPECTANCY
The United States has a life expectancy at birth lower than most other high-income countries at 73 years for men and 79 years for women
Deaths Averted Due to the Pandemic
In most countries in Oceania, the pandemic resulted in fewer deaths than were otherwise expected on average over 2020 and 2021
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HIGHEST RATE OF EXCESS DEATHS
Eastern Europe had the highest rate of average annual excess deaths due to the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 at 300 deaths per 100,000 population
URBAN POPULATION
85% of South America’s population lives in urban areas
THE YOUNGEST REGION
45% of Middle Africa’s population is younger than age 15
World Population Data Sheet

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