Asia is the largest and most populated continent on Earth, located in the northern and eastern hemispheres. Asia accounts for almost 30% of total area landmass of the Earth, and about 60% of the total population of the planet live on its territory. Today, the highest birth rates are recorded in Asian countries; the population of Asia has almost quadrupled during the 20th century.
Asia is located in the eastern part of the large continent of Eurasia (occupying approximately 4/5 of the total area of this continent). Asia is washed by the Pacific Ocean in the east, the Indian Ocean in the south, and the Arctic Ocean in the north. In total, there are over fifty countries and dependent territories in Asia. Estimates based on recent fertility trends in Asia place the population of Asia at 4,426,683,000 as of 2016. For comparison, the continent's population over different periods is shown below:
Population of Asia by year
Data source: UN, PopulationData.net.
The data above does not include the population of Russia, although Russia is located in both Asia and Europe, and approximately 40 million Russians live in Asia - east of the Ural Mountains.
The population of Asia compared to the population of other continents
As written above, Asia is the most populated continent on the planet. In terms of population, Asia is followed by Africa, which is the second largest and most populous continent in the world (Africa's population in 2016 is estimated at 1.069 billion people, about 15% of total number world population).
The third most populous continent is the European continent, with a 2016 estimated population of 741.2 million people, about 11% of the world's total population.
Population growth in Asia
Asia has a very high population growth - as has already been written, over the last century the population of Asia has quadrupled. Asia's resource wealth and great ecological and biological diversity will support this growth further.
Asia's population is expected to continue to grow for a long time, putting a strain on the continent's resources. Current estimates suggest that population growth will continue in all Asian countries except Japan and Kazakhstan until 2050. During this time, some countries, including Afghanistan, Nepal, and Pakistan, will double their populations. Other countries, including India, Vietnam, and Malaysia, will also see very strong growth.
Population of Asian countries
The two most populous countries in Asia are China and India. On this moment China is the most populous country in the world. China's population is about 32% of the total population of Asia, for India the same figure is about 29%. It is estimated that India's population will surpass China's by 2028, by which time each country will have a population of about 1.45 billion.
The most sparsely populated country in Asia is the Maldives, which is also one of the smallest countries in the world. The next sparsely populated Asian country after the Maldives is Brunei.
The table below shows all independent countries Asia (including the Middle East, which is also part of Asia), and the population of each country is given.
| Place | A country | Population |
| 1 | China | 1 349 585 838 |
| 2 | India | 1 220 800 359 |
| 3 | Indonesia | 251 160 124 |
| 4 | Pakistan | 193 238 868 |
| 5 | Bangladesh | 163 654 860 |
| 6 | Russia | 142 500 482 |
| 7 | Japan | 127 253 075 |
| 8 | Philippines | 105 720 644 |
| 9 | Vietnam | 92 477 857 |
| 10 | Türkiye | 80 694 485 |
| 11 | Iran | 79 853 900 |
| 12 | Thailand | 67 448 120 |
| 13 | Myanmar | 55 167 330 |
| 14 | South Korea | 48 955 203 |
| 15 | Iraq | 31 858 481 |
| 16 | Afghanistan | 31 108 077 |
| 17 | Nepal | 30 430 267 |
| 18 | Malaysia | 29 628 392 |
| 19 | Uzbekistan | 28 661 637 |
| 20 | Saudi Arabia | 26 939 583 |
| 21 | Yemen | 25 408 288 |
| 22 | North Korea | 24 720 407 |
| 23 | Taiwan | 23 299 716 |
| 24 | Syria | 22 457 336 |
| 25 | Sri Lanka | 21 675 648 |
| 26 | Kazakhstan | 17 736 896 |
| 27 | Cambodia | 15 205 539 |
| 28 | Azerbaijan | 9 590 159 |
| 29 | Tajikistan | 7 910 041 |
| 30 | Israel | 7 702 042 |
| 31 | Laos | 6 695 166 |
| 32 | Jordan | 6 482 081 |
| 33 |
Asia is the largest and most populated part of the world on our planet. It covers an area of 44.6 million square kilometers. This is 30% of the total land surface. The population of Asia is, according to 2017 data, 4.5 billion people. Many of the first civilizations were born in this part of the world. The border between Asia and Europe is quite arbitrary. There is no clear geographical division between two parts of the world forming a single continent. However, it is generally accepted that Asia is bounded by the Suez Canal, the Ural River, the Caucasus Mountains, and the Caspian and Black Seas.
Dynamics
Asia ranks first in terms of population among regions of the world. It is home to about 4.5 billion people. Thus, the population of Asia makes up 60% of the total number of earthlings. The most major countries in the world are China and India. Almost every second earthling today is a resident of one of these states.
At the beginning of the 16th century, the population of Asia was 243 million. Over the next 200 years it almost doubled. At the beginning of the 18th century, the population of Asia was already 436 million. Another 200 years passed and it doubled again. At the beginning of the twentieth century, 947 million people lived in Asia. During the first half of the last century, the population grew 1.5 times. In 1950, there were 1.4 billion people in the region. However, the most dynamic growth was observed from 1950 to 1999. During this period, Asia's population increased to 3.6 billion.
Modern indicators
According to UN estimates, in 2017 the region was home to 4.5 billion people. Over the year, this figure increased by 0.95%. Asia's population density is 87 people per square kilometer. Here are located both the most populated cities and vast, almost empty territories. About half of Asia's population is urban. The migration inflow is negative. The average age is 30.7 years. On average, a woman has 2.2 children.
Foreign Asian countries: population
Traditionally, this part of the world is divided into five subregions. The most populated of them is South Asia (7 states, including India). About 1.9 billion people live here. In second place this indicator- East Asia (Japan, North Korea, Republic of Korea, Mongolia and China). It contains about 1.6 billion people. Thus, the population of Asian countries in these two subregions is almost 80% of the total.
The fewest people live in the central part of the continent (5 states from among the former Soviet republics). Their number does not exceed 69.2 million people. This is the fifth highest among all subregions. The population of Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Thailand and 9 other countries) is 647.6 million, Western (20 countries) - 266.2.
China ranks first in terms of population. Its population is 1.4 billion people. In second place is India. It is home to 1.3 billion people. In third place is Indonesia with a population of 263.5 million people. The top ten most populated countries also include Pakistan, Bangladesh, Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Iran and Turkey. Iraq is characterized by the most dynamic growth. Behind Last year the population of this country increased by 2.95%. Macau has the most people per square kilometer. The population density map can be seen just below.
Languages
Asia is a very diverse region. In most countries on this continent, more than one language is spoken: in Indonesia - 600, in India - 800, in the Philippines - 100. In the provinces of China, they speak different dialects, which often differ significantly in vocabulary, spelling and pronunciation.
Beliefs
Many modern religions originated in Asia, including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Confucianism and Buddhism. The mythology of the region is extremely complex and varied. For example, the story of the Great Flood can first be found in the Mesopotamian Epic of Gilgamesh. There are echoes of it in many modern religions. All of them are practiced in Asia.
The most common religion in this region is Christianity. The population of Asia, where its adherents live, is 12.6% of the total population. Moreover, Catholicism is widespread in the Philippines and East Timor, and Orthodoxy is widespread in Armenia, Cyprus, Georgia and Russia. In second place is Hinduism. However, its adherents are concentrated in South Asia. Islam is in third place in terms of prevalence in this region. Most adherents of this religion live in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Iran and Turkey.
Economy
Most Asian countries are “second world” countries. However, there are exceptions. The most developed are Israel, Japan, Taiwan and the Republic of Korea. Human Development Index Asian countries ranges from low to extremely high. In first place is Singapore, in second place is Hong Kong, in third place is South Korea. The lowest human development index scores are found in Asian countries such as Afghanistan, Yemen and Burma.
States of this region According to the level of economy, they can be divided into six groups. The first includes only Japan. It is the only Asian country to be a member of the G7. The second group includes China and India. They have achieved significant economic success, but their per capita indicators leave much to be desired. The third group is the newly industrialized countries, as well as Thailand and Malaysia.
States involved in oil production are distinguished separately. It was through its export that they managed to stimulate their development. The fifth group includes countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Jordan, Mongolia and Sri Lanka. These states are characterized by a predominance in the structure of the economy of the mining industry and light industry. The sixth group includes the least developed countries of the region - Bhutan, Yemen, Cambodia, Laos, Nepal. There is practically no industry in them.
The video lesson is dedicated to the topic “Population of Overseas Asia”. This lesson will help you develop knowledge about the population of the region and identify patterns in the formation of the population of Foreign Asia. The teacher will tell you about the main characteristics of the Asian population, giving examples of the largest nations, cities, and countries.
Subject: Foreign Asia
Lesson: Population of Overseas Asia
The population of Asia exceeds 4 billion people. Many countries in the region are at the stage population explosion».
All countries in the region, with the exception of Japan and some countries in transition, belong to traditional type population reproduction. Moreover, many of them are in a state of population explosion. Some countries are combating this phenomenon by demographic policy(India, China), but most countries do not pursue such a policy; rapid population growth and rejuvenation continue. At the current rate of population growth, countries in foreign Asia are experiencing food, social and other difficulties. Among Asian subregions, East Asia is the furthest away from the peak of its population explosion. Currently, the highest rates of population growth are characteristic of the countries of South-West Asia. For example, in Yemen there is an average of almost 5 children per woman.
The ethnic composition of the Asian population is also extremely complex: more than 1 thousand peoples live here - from small ethnic groups numbering several hundred people to the largest peoples in the world.
The largest nations of foreign Asia by population (more than 100 million people):
1. Chinese.
2. Hindustani.
3. Bengalis.
4. Japanese.
The peoples of foreign Asia belong to approximately 15 language families. Such linguistic diversity is not found in any other major region on the planet.
The largest language families foreign Asia by population:
1. Sino-Tibetan.
2. Indo-European.
3. Austronesian.
4. Dravidian.
5. Austroasiatic.
The most ethnolinguistically complex countries are: India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia. India and Indonesia are considered the most multinational countries in the world. East and South-West Asia, with the exception of Iran and Afghanistan, is characterized by a more homogeneous National composition. The complex composition of the population in many parts of the region leads to acute ethnic conflicts.
Foreign Asia is the birthplace of all major religions; all three world religions originated here: Christianity, Buddhism, and Islam.
Christianity: Philippines, Georgia, Armenia, a significant proportion of Christians in Kazakhstan, Japan, Lebanon.
Buddhism: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Bhutan, Mongolia.
Islam: Southwest Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh.
Among other national religions, it is necessary to note Confucianism (China), Taoism, Shintoism. In many countries, interethnic contradictions are based precisely on religious grounds.
Rice. 2. Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem ()
The population of foreign Asia is unevenly distributed: population density ranges from 1 to 1200 people. per 1 sq. km. In Bangladesh, the average population density is 1100 people. per 1 sq. km. In some cities of foreign Asia (Manila, Mumbai, Dali) the population density exceeds 10,000 people. per 1 sq. km! At the same time, the population density in Mongolia is less than 2 people. per 1 sq. km.
By population density, national, religious composition countries in the region are influenced by migration. The main centers of immigration were the Gulf countries, Singapore, big cities China, and emigration - the Philippines, Pakistan, Uzbekistan.
The growth rate of the region's urban population is very high. But, despite this, in terms of urbanization level (less than 45%), Foreign Asia ranks penultimate (before Africa) among the regions of the world. China and India lead in the total number of urban and rural residents, but in percentage terms the level of urbanization in these countries is low.
The largest cities in foreign Asia by population:
2. Shanghai.
3. Mumbai.
4. Jakarta.
6. Manila.
9. Istanbul.
10. Manila.
For rural settlement, the village form is most typical.
Homework
Topic 7, P. 1
1. Name the largest nations of foreign Asia.
2. Give examples of foreign Asian countries with a demographic crisis.
Bibliography
Main
1. Geography. A basic level of. 10-11 grades: Textbook for educational institutions / A.P. Kuznetsov, E.V. Kim. - 3rd ed., stereotype. - M.: Bustard, 2012. - 367 p.
2. Economic and social geography world: Textbook. for 10th grade educational institutions / V.P. Maksakovsky. - 13th ed. - M.: Education, JSC "Moscow Textbooks", 2005. - 400 p.
3. Atlas with set contour maps for 10th grade. Economic and social geography of the world. - Omsk: FSUE "Omsk Cartographic Factory", 2012. - 76 p.
Additional
1. Economic and social geography of Russia: Textbook for universities / Ed. prof. A.T. Khrushchev. - M.: Bustard, 2001. - 672 p.: ill., map.: color. on
Encyclopedias, dictionaries, reference books and statistical collections
1. Geography: a reference book for high school students and applicants to universities. - 2nd ed., rev. and revision - M.: AST-PRESS SCHOOL, 2008. - 656 p.
Literature for preparing for the State Exam and the Unified State Exam
1. Thematic control in geography. Economic and social geography of the world. 10th grade / E.M. Ambartsumova. - M.: Intellect-Center, 2009. - 80 p.
2. The most complete edition typical options real tasks of the Unified State Exam: 2010. Geography / Comp. Yu.A. Solovyova. - M.: Astrel, 2010. - 221 p.
3. The optimal bank of tasks for preparing students. Unified State Exam 2012. Geography: Tutorial/ Comp. EM. Ambartsumova, S.E. Dyukova. - M.: Intellect-Center, 2012. - 256 p.
4. The most complete edition of standard versions of real Unified State Examination tasks: 2010. Geography / Comp. Yu.A. Solovyova. - M.: AST: Astrel, 2010. - 223 p.
5. Geography. Diagnostic work in the format of the Unified State Exam 2011. - M.: MTsNMO, 2011. - 72 p.
6. Unified State Exam 2010. Geography. Collection of tasks / Yu.A. Solovyova. - M.: Eksmo, 2009. - 272 p.
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8. Textbook on geography. Tests and practical assignments in geography / I.A. Rodionova. - M.: Moscow Lyceum, 1996. - 48 p.
9. The most complete edition of standard versions of real Unified State Examination tasks: 2009. Geography / Comp. Yu.A. Solovyova. - M.: AST: Astrel, 2009. - 250 p.
10. Unified State Exam 2009. Geography. Universal materials for preparing students / FIPI - M.: Intellect-Center, 2009. - 240 p.
11. Geography. Answers on questions. Oral examination, theory and practice / V.P. Bondarev. - M.: Publishing house "Exam", 2003. - 160 p.
12. Unified State Exam 2010. Geography: thematic training tasks / O.V. Chicherina, Yu.A. Solovyova. - M.: Eksmo, 2009. - 144 p.
13. Unified State Exam 2012. Geography: Model exam options: 31 options / Ed. V.V. Barabanova. - M.: National Education, 2011. - 288 p.
14. Unified State Exam 2011. Geography: Model exam options: 31 options / Ed. V.V. Barabanova. - M.: National Education, 2010. - 280 p.
Materials on the Internet
1. Federal Institute of Pedagogical Measurements ( ).
2. Federal portal Russian Education ().
Asia is the largest part of the world on our planet. Asia's population is characterized by ethnic diversity, extremely high growth rates and the largest population in the world. Find out more about the residents of the region later in the article.
Geography
Asia is most of the continent of Eurasia. Among all parts of the world, it covers the largest territory, with an area of 44.5 million square kilometers. It is the largest developing region in the entire world, occupying about 30% of the earth's land area.
The main territory is located in the northern and eastern hemispheres, some Asian islands are located in the southern hemisphere. Due to its significant size, the region has almost all types of climate - from equatorial in the south to arctic in the north.
From the north, east and south, Asia is washed by the Arctic, Pacific and Indian oceans. The waters of the Atlantic Ocean touch this part of the world through the seas (Black, Aegean, Marmara, Azov) in the southwest. In the west there is a conditional land border with Europe (along the Ural Mountains, the Manych and Kuma rivers). Numerous islands are located in the Pacific and Indian oceans.
Based on physical and geographical features, the region is divided into North, East, South, West, Central, South-East and South-West Asia. According to the UN - to East, Central, West, Southeast and South Asia. However, there are other classifications.
Asia's population is extremely diverse and has record numbers. More than one thousand different peoples and nationalities live within its borders.
Political map of Overseas Asia
In many sources you can find the concept of “Foreign Asia”. It arose back in Soviet times and was firmly entrenched in Russian geography. Now the term is used to refer to countries that are not part of the CIS. There are four subregions in Overseas Asia: South, East, South-West and South-East Asia.
The political map of the region has changed many times, mainly due to wars and colonial conquests. For a long time, Jordan, India, Pakistan, Israel, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and other countries were controlled by Great Britain. The territories of Indochina were Indonesia belonged to the Netherlands, the Philippines to the USA, etc. After the end of World War II, the process of decolonization began in this part of the world. In 1984, Brunei became the last country to free itself from its colonizer, Great Britain.
The region currently consists of 39 sovereign states. Most of them are republics (China, Syria, Israel, Pakistan, etc.). 13 countries have a monarchical system. Moreover, five of them (Brunei, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE) are absolute, the other nine are constitutional monarchies. In Brunei and Saudi Arabia, the ruler of the state is also the head of the church.
Population of Asia: general information
There are approximately 7 billion people living on Earth, and 60% of them are from the Asian region. Asia's population is 4.2 billion. In terms of quantity, India and China lead. Their inhabitants alone make up 40% of all humanity. Indonesia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Japan have high numbers.
The total of Asia is 87 people. per one sq. km. Of course, in different countries numbers may vary significantly. For example, in Mongolia there are only 2 people per square kilometer, and in Singapore - 7,607. In terms of density, Singapore ranks second in the world and first among Asian countries.
Many countries, such as Thailand, Korea, Vietnam, Myanmar, are home to several tens of millions of people. The population of Asian countries is growing extremely quickly; in some countries there is even a population explosion. The highest growth rate is observed in South-West Asia (Palestine, Oman, Afghanistan, Jordan). The lowest indicators are in East Asia, especially China and Japan (due to an active demographic policy).
Ethnic composition
The population of overseas Asia is characterized by extreme diversity. More than a thousand ethnic groups speak five hundred different languages. About 107 nations number several million people. The most numerous peoples are the Chinese, Bengalis, Japanese and Hindustani. After them come Telugus, Vietnamese, Punjabis, Koreans, Javanese.
The most variegated ethnic composition observed in India. The country is home to more than 500 nations and tribal groups, making it the most diverse not only in Asia but also in the world. Ethnic diversity is also represented in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Bangladesh and Japan have the most homogeneous composition.
The peoples that make up the population of Asia are not limited to the boundaries of one state. Bengalis, for example, live in India and Bangladesh. Approximately 40 million ethnic Chinese inhabit Southeast Asia. The Kurds do not have their own country; they live in Syria, Turkey, and Iraq.
Religion
Three world religions arose in Asia: Buddhism, Christianity and Islam. The population of Overseas Asia that adheres to Islam is 20%. These are mainly residents of Western and Southwestern Asia. In many countries, Islam is the state religion. A large number of Muslims are also found in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Indonesia.
Buddhism and its branches are widespread in the southern, eastern and southeastern parts of the region. There are approximately 550 million adherents of this religion in Asia. There are quite a few supporters of Christianity in this part of the world. It is practiced in Cyprus, the Philippines, Lebanon and Indonesia.
Among others, Confucianism is widespread in China, and Shintoism is widespread in Japan. Adherents of Hinduism live mainly in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. The main religion of Israel is Judaism.
Conclusion
There are 39 independent states in Asia. In terms of population and color, Foreign Asia is not inferior to any region modern world. The population of Asian countries is striking in its ethnic diversity. Hundreds of peoples live here, each of which has its own culture, language and religion.