The old saying size matters is true when it comes to the power of population. Larger, more heavily populated countries tend to dominate their smaller or lesser populated neighbours. The fact is countries with a larger population tend to have larger economies. As economists say, it’s simply a numbers game.

According to a the most recent IMF statistics all but three of the top 12 largest countries by population are still developing nations. This means despite the militaristic, cultural and economic benefits that come with having a large population, there are also large problems with governance and in fact providing basic services.

China and India dominate with 36.5 % of the world’s population between then. The US in n umber three has less than five per cent of the global population. That said, the US economy is still larger and more stable than China or India and despite income disparity and other social and political issues, the US enjoys a much higher standard of living and is considered more secure as well.

With all that said, countries with large populations do naturally have more clout in global affairs and that means most of the top 10 largest countries in the world are considered to be regional superpowers in the future.

Share of the world population in 2018

1. China: 18.7%
2. India: 17.8%
3. United States: 4.3%
4. Indonesia: 3.5%
5. Brazil: 2.7%
6. Nigeria: 2.6%
7. Pakistan: 2.6%
8. Bangladesh: 2.2%
9. Russia: 1.9%
10. Japan: 1.7%
11. Mexico: 1.6%
12. Philippines: 1.4%

Egypt: 1.3%