North America Overview
North America is a subcontinent of the Americas and is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the south and west and South America and the Caribbean Sea to the southeast. The population in 2016 is over 565 million.
North America has an estimated 2016 population of over 565 million, which is based on national estimates from its 23 independent states but does not take into account non-sovereign territories like Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
The largest countries in terms of land — the United States, Mexico and Canada — also take a lion’s share of North America’s total population. The United States is the 4th largest country on earth, and the third most populous country. While it is North America’s most populous country, it is actually second in terms of size, as Canada does have slightly more total area, but less land area. The population of the United States accounts for almost 57% of the total population of North America.
The United States also has a population in 2016 that is more than double that of Mexico, the second most populous country in North America with just over 21% of the continent’s population. Canada has a mere 6% of North America’s population, and no other country accounts for more than 3% after these three.
Most Populous Countries in North America
The ten most populous countries in North America are:
- United States: 321.2 million
- Mexico: 121 million
- Canada: 35.8 million
- Guatemala: 16.1 million
- Cuba: 11.2 million
- Haiti: 10.9 million
- Dominican Republic: 9.9 million
- Honduras: 8.9 million
- Nicaragua: 6.5 million
- El Salvador: 6.4 million
Least Populous Countries in North America
North America has 23 independent states, but 41 countries total including non-independent territories. When these countries are included, the 5 least populous countries (all non-independent) in North America are:
- Montserrat (UK): 5,000
- Saint Pierre and Miquelon (France): 6,000
- Saint Barthelemy (France): 10,000
- Anguilla (UK): 14,000
- Caribbean Netherlands (Kingdom of the Netherlands): 26,000
Saint Kitts and Nevis is the smallest sovereign state in the entire Americas, both in terms of size and population. This federal two-island country in the West Indies has a population of just under 55,000 in 2016.