The earth is a vast and assorted space, and its nearly 7.9 billion inhabitants are scattered unevenly across its diverse terrains. Population density, measured as the number of people per square kilometer, varies greatly from one region to another. This disparity is starkly evident when we observe some countries, smaller in size, teeming with inhabitants, as opposed to larger nations boasting vast, lesser-populated territories.
Monaco takes the crown for the world's most densely populated country with an extreme population density of 24,361 persons per km². It's a fascinating example of how a small land area, in this case just 2.02km², can cater to a relatively large population. Following closely behind is the Special Administrative Region of Macau, known for its blend of Portuguese and Chinese cultures. With a staggering density of 22,005 people per km², it ranks second in terms of density globally. In third place, we find the prosperous nation of Singapore, with a population density reaching 8,806 per km². Famous for its efficient urban planning, Singapore demonstrates that higher densities can be strategically managed to achieve sustainability and livability. Hong Kong, another Special Administrative Region of China, sits at number four with its high density of 6,817 people per km². Next in line is Gibraltar, with a density of 3,269 individuals per km², followed closely by Bahrain which features a density of 1,897 people per km². Maldives, Malta, Bangladesh, and Bermuda conclude our list, with respective densities of 1,737 people per km², 1,699 people per km², 1,329 people per km², and 1,186 people per km². Most Densely Populated Countries:
Topping the list is Western Sahara, ranking 223rd in terms of population density with only 2 persons per square kilometer. This disputed territory in North Africa, partially controlled by the Sahrawi Republic, lies mostly uninhabited in the vast Sahara desert, hence the low population density. Similarly, Mongolia, known for its vast, rugged expanses and nomadic culture, is another least densely populated country, with a density also averaging 2 persons per square kilometer, ranking it 222nd. Namibia in Southern Africa and Australia share the next position, each with a population density of 3 persons per square kilometer. Namibia - ranking 221st - is largely dominated by the Namib and Kalahari deserts, while Australia - ranking 220th - is characterized by its large "Outback" desert area, contributing to their low population densities. Meanwhile, characterized by vast expanses of tundra, Iceland - ranking 219th - and the French Guiana, Suriname, Libya, Guyana, and Canada each possess a population density of 4 persons per square kilometer, ranking 218th, 217th, 216th, 215th, and 214th respectively. The Least Densely Populated Countries:
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
65km²
#143
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
103km²
#108
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
19km²
#193
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
220km²
#64
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
170km²
#73
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
29km²
#175
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
181km²
#72
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
214km²
#66
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
16km²
#201
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
98km²
#110
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
590km²
#17
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
3km²
#220
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
109km²
#102
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
126km²
#92
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
77km²
#131
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
1897km²
#6
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
1329km²
#9
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
656km²
#14
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
47km²
#160
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
386km²
#32
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
18km²
#196
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
122km²
#94
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
1186km²
#10
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
21km²
#189
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
11km²
#206
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
63km²
#145
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
5km²
#212
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
26km²
#184
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
205km²
#68
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
78km²
#130
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
62km²
#146
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
85km²
#121
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
510km²
#23
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
94km²
#115
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
61km²
#147
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
4km²
#214
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
149km²
#79
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
288km²
#45
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
9km²
#208
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
15km²
#204
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
26km²
#182
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
149km²
#80
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
46km²
#161
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
458km²
#26
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
71km²
#138
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
102km²
#109
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
72km²
#137
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
105km²
#104
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
453km²
#27
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
136km²
#85
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
136km²
#86
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
45km²
#163
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
139km²
#84
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
49km²
#158
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
97km²
#111
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
235km²
#59
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
73km²
#136
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
113km²
#97
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
307km²
#42
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
61km²
#148
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
31km²
#173
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
30km²
#174
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
70km²
#140
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
127km²
#90
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
51km²
#156
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
18km²
#195
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
117km²
#96
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
4km²
#218
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
84km²
#123
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
9km²
#207
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
274km²
#47
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
54km²
#154
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
239km²
#57
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
150km²
#78
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
3269km²
#5
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
79km²
#129
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
371km²
#35
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
243km²
#54
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
320km²
#39
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
169km²
#74
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
58km²
#151
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
76km²
#133
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
4km²
#215
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
425km²
#28
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
97km²
#112
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
6817km²
#4
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
112km²
#98
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
4km²
#219
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
481km²
#25
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
145km²
#82
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
55km²
#153
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
105km²
#105
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
74km²
#135
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
148km²
#81
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
424km²
#29
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
199km²
#69
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
91km²
#119
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
261km²
#49
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
327km²
#38
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
128km²
#89
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
7km²
#211
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
95km²
#113
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
184km²
#70
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
242km²
#55
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
35km²
#170
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
33km²
#171
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
29km²
#176
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
523km²
#21
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
77km²
#132
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
56km²
#152
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
4km²
#216
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
247km²
#51
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
43km²
#164
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
253km²
#50
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
22005km²
#2
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
52km²
#155
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
221km²
#62
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
104km²
#107
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
1737km²
#7
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
19km²
#194
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
1699km²
#8
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
233km²
#61
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
346km²
#37
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
5km²
#213
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
641km²
#15
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
896km²
#11
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
66km²
#141
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
165km²
#77
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
104km²
#106
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
24361km²
#1
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
2km²
#222
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
45km²
#162
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
43km²
#167
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
85km²
#122
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
43km²
#165
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
84km²
#125
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
3km²
#221
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
639km²
#16
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
210km²
#67
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
523km²
#22
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
16km²
#202
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
20km²
#191
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
59km²
#150
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
21km²
#188
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
246km²
#52
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
7km²
#210
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
217km²
#65
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
84km²
#124
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
109km²
#101
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
18km²
#197
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
15km²
#203
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
312km²
#41
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
39km²
#168
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
892km²
#12
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
60km²
#149
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
23km²
#187
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
17km²
#200
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
27km²
#181
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
391km²
#31
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
134km²
#88
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
111km²
#100
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
375km²
#34
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
234km²
#60
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
18km²
#198
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
393km²
#30
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
86km²
#120
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
9km²
#209
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
582km²
#18
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
500km²
#24
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
184km²
#71
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
293km²
#44
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
25km²
#186
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
266km²
#48
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
80km²
#128
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
552km²
#19
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
242km²
#56
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
17km²
#199
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
92km²
#117
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
93km²
#116
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
236km²
#58
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
123km²
#93
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
8806km²
#3
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
118km²
#95
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
105km²
#103
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
26km²
#185
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
29km²
#177
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
49km²
#157
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
523km²
#20
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
20km²
#192
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
95km²
#114
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
349km²
#36
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
27km²
#180
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
4km²
#217
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
26km²
#183
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
220km²
#63
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
126km²
#91
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
676km²
#13
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
71km²
#139
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
76km²
#134
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
141km²
#83
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
91km²
#118
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
166km²
#75
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
166km²
#76
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
299km²
#43
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
80km²
#127
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
112km²
#99
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
14km²
#205
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
48km²
#159
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
380km²
#33
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
243km²
#53
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
63km²
#144
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
134km²
#87
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
279km²
#46
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
37km²
#169
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
20km²
#190
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
83km²
#126
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
27km²
#179
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
31km²
#172
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
315km²
#40
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
2km²
#223
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
65km²
#142
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
28km²
#178
Metric
Value
Rank
Population Density
43km²
#166