Population by Country in 1939

Saying that 1939 was a year full of change and historical significance is a real understatement. With World War II getting ready to break out the following year, the whole world and all its people were definitely in the process of transitioning from one phase to the next.

In 1939, the world had approximately 2 billion people worldwide. Between 60 million and 78 million people would go on to die in World War II, which was about 3 percent of the total population. Therefore, analyzing world population by country in 1939 can help provide a helpful overview of how the world looked before one of the most culturally and socially traumatic events in human history.

Countries with the Highest Populations in 1939

In 1939, just before World War II, the following were the world’s most populous countries.

India

In 1939, India had the world’s second-largest population with around 378 million people.

China

The second most populous country in 1939 was China. Just prior to WWII, China’s population was about 268 million people strong and, like India, accounted for a relatively large slice of the world’s people.

United States

In 1939, the United States had a population of approximately 133 million people, placing third among the most populous countries that year. The United States has maintained this placing as of 2023.

Quite a few countries across Europe were also fairly populous throughout 1939. These include but aren’t necessarily limited to France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

Factors Contributing to the 1939 World Population

As is the case in any other year, various internal and external factors influenced the world population from country to country in 1939. The following are a couple of key examples to consider.

Sociopolitical Factors in Europe

Politics and social climate always affect the population to at least some degree. In 1939, this was especially the case across Europe. While it’s true that many parts of Europe were still thriving that year, populations in Eastern Europe actually shrank due to political unrest and other localized social issues.

Colonial Rule and Its Effects

Countries and regions under colonial rule in 1939 (particularly in Africa and Asia) experienced related obstacles, such as limited access to healthcare services, quality sanitation, and other resources. This hindered normal population growth in many of those areas.

Other influences, such as migration, natural disasters, industrialization, and access to education, also influenced populations in various countries throughout 1939.