Map Options

Color Scheme:
map placeholder
Click on a country for details.
Population 1600

0

20M

40M

60M

80M

100M

120M

140M

Population by Country in 1600

The year 1600 was a fairly significant milestone year in human history, as multiple social and political changes were underway at the time. Among many other occurrences, the iconic British East India Company would be founded in 1600, and North America would soon see the establishment of numerous British and French colonies.

However, global populations weren’t as evenly distributed in 1600 as they are today, and various countries saw different rates of growth. Here’s a closer look at how world populations stacked up from country to country, as well as some factors that contributed to those numbers.

Countries with the Highest Populations in 1600

The following are some of the world nations with the highest, most consistent populations in 1600.

China

Although not as populous as it is today, China was still the country with the highest total headcount at around 160 million people. China’s robust agricultural traditions and stable living conditions led to high birth rates and considerable growth that boosted population numbers.

India

India was also a fairly populous nation back in 1600 with approximately 105 million people living there at the time. As with China, India’s rich agricultural history helped it provide the sustenance needed to support a large population and continuous ongoing growth.

Japan

Although still relatively isolated in 1600, Japan still supported a comparatively robust population at the time – about 16 million people. Tokugawa-era population control and similar factors helped keep the national headcount strong but in check.

Factors Affecting Population Growth in 1600

In regions like Europe and the Americas, population growth was sporadic due to various factors. For example, Western Europe saw some moderate growth around 1600, while Eastern Europe struggled under the influence of forces like disease, war, and famine.

The arrival of European settlers in the Americas would lead to significant and lasting demographic changes due to conquest and disease. Meanwhile, roughly 50 million people populated the African subcontinent and experienced relative stability, although isolated localized forces would contribute to small-scale growth or decline.

Additional potential factors included:

  • Migration: Migration patterns and trade routes were major contributors to the growth of some populations and the decline of others.
  • Cultural Factors: Cultural values and practices that affected family size, marriage rates, and social status also impacted the population in many areas, as with India’s caste system.
  • Health Factors: In 1600, factors like famine and widespread disease combined with a lack of appropriate solutions often meant high mortality rates and resulting changes in population size.

201 Rows

Country
Population 1600
India135M
China98.1M
France18.3M
Japan17M
Nigeria14M
Italy13.3M
Bangladesh12.5M
Germany12M
Pakistan11M
Russia9.4M
Spain8.5M
Indonesia8.5M
Turkey8M
DR Congo6.3M
United Kingdom5M
Egypt5M
Poland5M
Iran5M
Myanmar4.5M
Sudan4.3M
Ukraine3.4M
Czech Republic3.2M
South Korea3.2M
Benin3.1M
Vietnam2.5M
Yemen2.5M
Afghanistan2.5M
Nepal2.5M
Ethiopia2.4M
Thailand2.3M
Morocco2.3M
Algeria2.3M
Saudi Arabia2.2M
Angola2.1M
Tanzania2.1M
Austria2.1M
Romania2M
Ghana2M
Portugal1.8M
North Korea1.8M
Kenya1.8M
Uganda1.7M
Cambodia1.7M
Cameroon1.6M
Netherlands1.5M
Kazakhstan1.5M
Belgium1.5M
Greece1.5M
Burkina Faso1.5M
Uzbekistan1.4M
Peru1.3M
Papua New Guinea1.3M
Mali1.3M
Slovakia1.3M
Colombia1.3M
Iraq1.3M
Ireland1.3M
Mozambique1.3M
Sri Lanka1.3M
Hungary1.3M
Bulgaria1.3M
Syria1.2M
Serbia1.2M
Ivory Coast1.1M
Guinea1M
Tunisia1M
Mexico1M
Switzerland1M
Chad973K
Niger959K
Brazil887.8K
South Sudan859.3K
Madagascar850K
Somalia827K
Bolivia800K
Philippines799.8K
United States778.5K
Sweden766.2K
Belarus720K
Burundi715K
Denmark700K
Georgia681K
Rwanda660K
Croatia660K
South Africa602K
Chile600K
Guatemala600K
Mongolia600K
Azerbaijan558K
Lebanon508K
Norway500K
Ecuador500K
Laos500K
Libya500K
Malaysia495K
Togo468.6K
Senegal450.4K
Bosnia and Herzegovina440K
Venezuela400K
Kyrgyzstan400K
Moldova390K
Malawi387.3K
Zimbabwe368.9K
Tajikistan350K
Zambia328.8K
Israel322.2K
Liberia316.8K
Honduras311.8K
Mauritania301K
Argentina300K
Central African Republic296.8K
Republic of the Congo293.3K
Turkmenistan280K
Armenia261K
Australia254K
Slovenia239.2K
Oman235K
North Macedonia220K
Canada200K
Albania200K
Paraguay200K
Finland200K
Taiwan198.2K
Gabon167.7K
Nicaragua162.5K
Jamaica143.2K
Namibia140.5K
New Zealand140K
Kuwait135K
Eritrea130.5K
Timor Leste128.2K
Cyprus120K
Equatorial Guinea117.8K
Lithuania105.5K
El Salvador100.1K
Panama98.4K
Dominican Republic98K
Botswana93.1K
Guinea Bissau91.9K
Latvia90.5K
Guyana90K
Jordan87K
Cuba79.8K
Lesotho71.3K
Estonia65.9K
Luxembourg63.1K
Fiji56.6K
Guadeloupe52.4K
Iceland50K
Martinique44.9K
United Arab Emirates42K
Malta40K
Haiti39.7K
Uruguay26.7K
Comoros25K
Bahrain24.1K
Djibouti22.9K
Barbados20K
Bhutan20K
Grenada19.7K
New Caledonia19.3K
Suriname15.9K
Eswatini14.7K
Hong Kong12.5K
Vanuatu10.5K
Cape Verde10K
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines9.2K
Tonga8.7K
Costa Rica8K
Qatar7.7K
Antigua and Barbuda7.7K
Belize7.5K
Liechtenstein7.2K
Sierra Leone7K
Puerto Rico6.9K
Samoa5.6K
Sao Tome and Principe5.1K
Brunei5K
Bahamas4.6K
Saint Kitts and Nevis4.3K
Gambia3.8K
United States Virgin Islands2.8K
Solomon Islands2.2K
Montserrat2K
Dominica1.7K
Andorra1.7K
French Guiana1.7K
Saint Lucia1.4K
American Samoa1.2K
Greenland1.2K
Anguilla940
Singapore896
Saint Pierre and Miquelon814
Aruba501
Western Sahara479
Reunion467
Trinidad and Tobago231
Faroe Islands166
Falkland Islands61
Turks and Caicos Islands39
Mayotte5

Which country had the highest population in 1600?

In 1600, China continued to lead the world in population. That year, 160 million people lived there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources