Which country has no 2 in population

China held the position as the world's second-most populous country until 2023, when India surpassed it to become the most populous nation. This means China currently ranks as the second-largest country by population with approximately 1.42-1.43 billion people. However, China's population has begun declining due to decades of strict family planning policies (including the former one-child policy implemented from 1980-2015) and rapidly falling birth rates as the country urbanized and became wealthier. This demographic shift represents a historic turning point, as China's population had been the world's largest for centuries.

The United States ranks as the third most populous country with approximately 335-340 million people, followed by Indonesia (around 275 million), Pakistan (approximately 235 million), and Brazil (about 215 million). Population rankings evolve over time due to different birth rates, death rates, and migration patterns. China's aging population and declining birth rate—currently below replacement level—mean its population will continue shrinking in coming decades, potentially allowing other rapidly growing nations like Nigeria or Pakistan to eventually surpass it. India's younger population and higher birth rate ensure it will remain the world's most populous nation for the foreseeable future, though its growth rate is also slowing as economic development continues.