The world’s most populated islands

When most people hear “island,” they imagine palm trees, gentle waves, or a far-off escape. But here’s something interesting: some islands aren’t remote getaways—they’re packed with people, full of everyday life and big-city hustle.

The map below, created by Reddit user mydriase, shows the 25 most populated islands in the world.

Let’s see which islands in every subregion have earned the top spot for population. 

Asia – Java, Indonesia

Asia’s star island is definitely Java. Believe it or not, over 157 million people live there as of 2024. That’s about one in fifty people in the whole world! Java is so crowded partly because its volcanic soils are amazing for growing rice, and villages and cities have grown there for centuries. Add in Jakarta, whose metro area alone has more than 30 million people.

Europe – Great Britain

Moving to Europe, Great Britain tops the list with around 69 million people (2024). Most of the population of Great Britain is concentrated in cities such as London, Birmingham, and Glasgow. The industrial boom drew millions into cities, and nowadays life here is super urban.

Africa – Madagascar

Africa’s most populated island is Madagascar, with about 32 million residents (2024). It’s a huge island, so people are pretty spread out. But what really sets Madagascar apart is its unbelievable mix of animals and plants – there’s nowhere else quite like it.

North America – Manhattan, USA

Over in North America, the crowd champion is Manhattan. Just 53 square kilometers (23 square miles), but home to 1.7 million people in 2020! Back in 1910, Manhattan packed in even more folks (Manhattan had 2.3 million residents in 1910), but lots moved to surrounding neighborhoods over the years.

Central America – Cuba

In Central America, Cuba stands out with more than 11 million people in 2024. Havana, the capital, attracts more than 2 million itself.

South America & Caribbean – Hispaniola

Next, the island called Hispaniola (split between Haiti and the Dominican Republic) has roughly 23 million residents (2023). Life is pretty different depending which side you’re on, but together they make this the most populated island in the region.

Oceania – New Guinea

For Oceania, New Guinea leads with nearly 15 million people. The island straddles two countries: Indonesia to the west, Papua New Guinea to the east. Most people still live in rural towns, but cities like Port Moresby are growing quickly.