Rapid population growth over the last three centuries has left some countries with larger populations than past generations ever could have dreamed of. Keep reading to find out what the most populated countries on the planet are, and which destinations have the smallest populations.

China Is The World’s Most Populated Country

China is officially the world’s most populated country, with the current numbers sitting at around 1.4 billion. Luckily, China is also one of the largest countries in the world as measured by area size, so there’s room for all those people!

In addition to having such a large population, China is also a popular country for foreign tourists to visit. Cities such as Beijing and Shanghai are notoriously crowded, so these are definitely not the right destinations if you don’t deal well with masses of people!

The population of China has developed significantly in the last 300 years, growing by more than one billion people during that time. It has grown at the same rate as the majority of other countries but started with a larger population than other nations. The fertile land in China has been listed as one of the reasons why the country has historically had such a large population.

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The Holy See Is The World’s Least Populated Country

Most people probably wouldn’t be able to point out The Holy See on a map, so it comes as no surprise that this is technically the world’s smallest country by population. Sometimes confused with the Vatican City, the Holy See actually refers to the governing body of the entire Roman Catholic Church, which is located within Vatican City. The area is visited by countless tourists every year but is home to just 800 people in 2020. The official language of the Holy See is Latin, even though Italian and French are widely spoken. The Pope is also the head of the Holy See, just as he is the head of the Vatican City and the Catholic Church. The Holy See is also one of the world’s last remaining absolute monarchies. The Vatican City is its de facto capital but it also has extraterritorial properties around Rome. RELATED: The 10 Most Crowded Tourist Destinations Ever

India Has Over 1 Billion People

After China, India has the second-highest population in the world. Like China, India has grown significantly in the last 300 years, although it began with a sizable population before ballooning to over 1 billion people. But in terms of land size, India is significantly smaller than China. Add in the fact that India is also a popular tourist destination and it’s easy to understand how many cities can get extremely crowded. By the year 2030, India is actually expected to exceed China in population numbers.

Living conditions in India can be a shock to foreigners who settle in the Asian country, with one of the most confronting elements being the huge gap between the wealthy and the poor. Evidence of the caste system is still present, where society is organized into a hierarchy of groups that traditionally affect the day-to-day lives of citizens.

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Many People Have Never Even Heard Of The World’s Second Least Populated Country, Tokelau

If few people have heard of the Holy See, then even fewer people would recognize Tokelau. A dependent territory of New Zealand, Tokelau is located halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean. As of 2020, approximately 1,352 people call Tokelau home.

Tokelau is a hidden gem and is seriously off the beaten track, but rewards those who do make the trek to visit with relaxing scenery and picturesque ocean views. The capital of Nukunonu boasts a clear lagoon that is home to several species of marine life. It is most commonly reached by boat from Samoa, which takes around 24 hours.

Most visitors to Tokelau go swimming and snorkeling in the clear water and interact with the sea life around the colorful coral reef.

The United States Is The Most Populated Country Out Of Asia

Outside of Asia, the United States is the most populated country. In 2020, there are more than 330 million people in the U.S.A., a number that is significantly lower than China and India’s populations, but still incredibly high compared to other nations around the world. In terms of land size, the United States is also one of the largest countries on the planet. While certain destinations within the country are super crowded, others are far more spacious. The cities that are the most crowded tend to receive the most international tourists. New York City has the largest population of all the cities in the United States with more than 8 million people calling it home. Other highly populated American cities include Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Phoenix, which all have more than 1.7 million people. NEXT: 10 American Ghost Towns You Should Visit (But Not Alone)