This is a list of countries by population. The list includes independent countries and inhabited dependent territories based on the ISO standard ISO 3166-1. Also given, as a percentage, is each country's population compared to the population of the world, which according to the United States Census Bureau population clock is estimated at 7.022 billion. According to a separate estimate by the United Nations, it exceeded 7 billion in October 2011. Areas that form integral parts of sovereign states, such as the countries of the United Kingdom, are counted as part of the sovereign states concerned. Not included are other entities, such as the European Union, that are not sovereign states, and dependent territories that do not have permanent populations, such as various countries' claims to Antarctica.

Figures used in this chart are based on the most recent estimate or projection by the national census authority where available and usually rounded off. Where there is not updated national data, figures are based on the 2012 estimates by the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Because the compiled figures are not collected at the same time in every country, or at the same level of accuracy, the resulting numerical comparisons may result in misleading conclusions. Further, the addition of all countries may not equal the world total.