This is a list of countries ordered according to population. The list includes sovereign states and inhabited dependent territories based on the ISO standard ISO 3166-1.

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. The estimated total population of the world is .

Figures used in this chart are based on the most recent estimate or projection by the national census authority where available and generally rounded off. Where national data is unavailable, figures are based on the 2009 July 1 estimate by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs – Population Division. 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.

Sovereign states are listed in bold text and dependent territories in italic. States listed that do not have general recognition are in bold and italic.

For a graphical version of this list, see List of countries by population (graphical). See also list of countries and dependencies by population density and the list of regional organizations by population.

List

Figures indicated by "UN estimate" are based on the July 1, 2009 estimate by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs – Population Division.