List of countries by population (United Nations)

This article provides a list of countries and dependent territories ranked by their estimated population, based primarily on the most recent estimates and projections from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. These figures typically represent the de facto population, which includes all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship – except for refugees not permanently settled in the country of asylum, who are generally included in the population of their country of origin.

The data presented here are generally based on the latest revision of the World Population Prospects, which are updated periodically. The provided population figures are mid-year estimates and projections, usually for July 1st of the given year. It's important to note that actual census data, when available, may differ from these estimates, and the methods used for estimation can vary between countries and across time.

This list includes sovereign states, self-governing territories, and in some cases, dependent territories or areas of special sovereignty. The inclusion criteria for territories are based on their level of autonomy and recognized population data availability. Entities like the European Union are not included, as they are not sovereign states.

Population figures are subject to change due to factors such as birth rates, death rates, migration patterns, and administrative adjustments. Therefore, this list represents a snapshot in time and should be consulted with the understanding that population dynamics are constantly evolving. Users should refer to the official United Nations documentation for detailed methodology and specific data sources. Furthermore, different organizations and national statistical agencies may publish alternative population estimates using their own methodologies.