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In the ever-evolving landscape of global demographics, a fascinating shift is taking place. A recent world map created by Reddit user dphayteeyl illustrates which countries are projected to have populations exceeding 100 million by the end of this century. This visual representation offers a striking glimpse into the future of our planet’s population distribution.
The map uses different colors to show population changes:
Red: Countries that already have over 100 million people
Orange: Countries expected to reach 100 million by 2050
Yellow: Countries projected to hit 100 million by 2100
Purple: Countries that currently have over 100 million people but are expected to drop below this number by 2100
The Numbers Behind the Colors
To better understand what this map is showing, I looked up some data from the United Nations’ World Population Prospects 2022 report [1]. Here’s a table showing current and projected populations for some key countries:
Country
2022 Population
2050 Projection
2100 Projection
China
1,425.9 million
1,312.6 million
766.7 million
India
1,417.2 million
1,668.5 million
1,530.7 million
United States
338.3 million
379.4 million
433.9 million
Indonesia
275.5 million
317.7 million
297.3 million
Pakistan
235.8 million
366.7 million
487.3 million
Nigeria
218.5 million
377.0 million
546.3 million
Brazil
215.3 million
231.1 million
184.5 million
Bangladesh
171.2 million
204.4 million
193.1 million
Russia
144.7 million
133.3 million
112.4 million
Mexico
130.2 million
141.1 million
115.3 million
Japan
125.4 million
104.1 million
74.8 million
Ethiopia
120.8 million
213.4 million
324.1 million
Philippines
112.5 million
144.5 million
157.8 million
Egypt
110.9 million
159.9 million
191.0 million
DR Congo
95.9 million
194.5 million
361.5 million
Vietnam
98.2 million
109.6 million
88.6 million
Germany
83.5 million
80.1 million
74.7 million
Iran
88.6 million
103.0 million
98.0 million
Turkey
85.3 million
97.1 million
84.8 million
United Kingdom
67.5 million
74.5 million
78.2 million
France
67.8 million
67.6 million
68.2 million
Thailand
71.7 million
70.4 million
51.3 million
South Africa
59.9 million
76.0 million
78.5 million
Tanzania
61.5 million
129.4 million
186.9 million
Kenya
54.0 million
91.6 million
142.1 million
Uganda
47.2 million
89.4 million
165.3 million
Sudan
46.9 million
81.9 million
138.6 million
Iraq
43.5 million
81.5 million
145.7 million
Afghanistan
40.1 million
64.7 million
115.9 million
Canada
38.2 million
45.7 million
53.3 million
Australia
25.7 million
33.9 million
42.0 million
Niger
25.3 million
66.1 million
165.5 million
These numbers really bring home the scale of the changes we might see in the coming decades.
Changing of the Guard: China and India
China and India, the world’s most populous countries, are on different paths. India has already surpassed China in population and is projected to reach about 1.67 billion people by 2050. Meanwhile, China’s population is projected to almost halve by 2100, dropping to around 767 million[1]. This shift could really shake up the global economy and politics.
The United States is expected to grow steadily, but it might not be as dominant on the world stage when countries like Nigeria and Pakistan see their populations boom. Nigeria, for example, could become the third most populous country by 2100, with over 546 million people [1].
Africa’s Rise
The growth projected for many African countries is eye-opening. Ethiopia could nearly triple its population by 2100. The Democratic Republic of Congo might see its population grow four times over, reaching more than 361 million by the end of the century [1].
I visited Tanzania a few years ago and was struck by the energy of Dar es Salaam and how young everyone seemed. Now, seeing that Tanzania’s population could triple by 2100, those memories feel like a glimpse of the future.
But it’s Niger that really stands out. Its population is projected to grow from about 25 million today to 165.5 million by 2100 [1]. It’s hard to imagine how this landlocked, largely desert country will manage such dramatic growth.
Some Go Up, Some Go Down
While many countries are growing rapidly, others are seeing their populations shrink. Japan, Russia, and several European countries are expected to have fewer people by 2100 [1].
I’ve been to Tokyo, and it’s hard to picture it with 50 million fewer people in the country. But that’s what the projections suggest – Japan’s population could drop from about 125 million today to just 75 million by 2100 [1].
Russia is also expected to see a significant decline, from about 145 million people now to 112 million by 2100 [1]. This could really change the balance of power in that part of the world.
What Might This Mean for Our World?
These population changes could have big impacts on many aspects of life:
Resources: Countries with fast-growing populations will need to figure out how to provide enough food, water, and energy for everyone [2].
Economics: Countries with young, growing populations might see economic booms, while those with shrinking, aging populations may need to rethink their economies [3].
Culture: We might see African and South Asian cultures having a bigger influence around the world as their populations grow.
Environment: More people often means more pressure on the environment. Balancing growth with conservation will be a big challenge [4].
Cities: We’ll probably see huge growth in cities, especially in Africa and Asia [5].
Global Politics: Countries with growing populations might want a bigger say in world affairs [6].
Innovation: These changes could drive new technologies in areas like farming, energy, and city planning [7].
Of course, population trends are just one piece of the puzzle. Many other factors will shape our future world too.
It’s Not Just About the Big Countries
While the map focuses on countries reaching 100 million people, it’s interesting to look at other parts of the world too. Many European countries, for example, are expected to see small increases or even decreases in population.
Germany’s population is projected to shrink slightly, from 83.5 million to 74.7 million by 2100 [1]. France and the UK, on the other hand, might see small increases.
Australia, where I once spent a year backpacking, is set for steady growth. It could reach 42 million people by 2100, up from about 26 million today [1].
These different trends remind us that population change is complex, influenced by things like economic development, culture, and government policies [8].
Wrapping Up
Looking at all these projections, it’s amazing to think about how different our world might be in 80 years. Will we see huge new cities in Africa? How will countries with shrinking populations adapt? What new ideas and technologies might come out of these changes?
One thing’s for sure – the world map of 2100 will tell a very different story than today’s. As someone who loves maps and geography, I find it exciting to think about this changing world.
Next time you look at a world map, try to imagine how it might change in the future. It’s a great reminder of how dynamic and diverse our world really is.
