Latin America and the Caribbean Population 2023: Current Figures and Statistics
As of November 7, 2022, the latest United Nations estimates put the current population of Latin America and the Caribbean at 667,637,989. This population is equivalent to 8.42% of the total world population, making it a significant region in terms of demographic importance. In this article, we will delve deeper into the current figures and statistics that define the population of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Population Ranking and Density
Latin America and the Caribbean are among the most populous regions in the world, with a current ranking of number 4 among other continents. The population density in this region is 32 people per square kilometer (84 people per square mile), making it a relatively sparsely populated area compared to other regions in the world. The total land area of Latin America and the Caribbean is 20,139,378 square kilometers (7,775,854 square miles), which is a considerable size and accounts for a significant portion of the Earth’s landmass.
Urbanization
The population of Latin America and the Caribbean is predominantly urban, with an urbanization rate of 82.5%. This means that out of the 667,637,989 people in the region, 539,427,335 live in urban areas, while the remaining 128,210,654 people reside in rural areas. Urbanization has been a significant trend in Latin America and the Caribbean, with more people moving from rural areas to urban centers in search of better opportunities.
Median Age
The median age in Latin America and the Caribbean is 31.0 years. This figure is relatively young compared to other regions in the world, and it highlights the demographic composition of the region. The young population in Latin America and the Caribbean presents both opportunities and challenges, as it can be a driving force for economic growth, but it also requires investments in education and healthcare to ensure that the young population can reach its full potential.
Subregions in Latin America and the Caribbean
| Area | Population (2020) |
|---|---|
| South America | (430,759,766) |
| Central America | (179,670,200) |
| Caribbean | (43,532,365) |
Latin America and the Caribbean Population in 2020 and it’s Historical
| Year | Population | Annual % Change |
Annual Change |
Migrants (net) | Median Age | Fertility Rate | Density (P/Km²) | Urban Pop. % |
Urban Population | Latin America and the Caribbean’s Share of World Pop. |
World Population | Latin America and the Caribbean Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 653,962,331 | 0.94 % | 6,005,633 | -521,499 | 31.0 | 2.04 | 32 | 82.5 % | 539,427,335 | 8.9 % | 7,794,798,739 | 4 |
| 2019 | 648,120,957 | 0.92 % | 5,904,275 | -521,499 | 29.5 | 2.12 | 32 | 82.2 % | 532,783,467 | 8.4 % | 7,713,468,100 | 4 |
| 2018 | 642,216,682 | 0.94 % | 5,983,559 | -521,499 | 29.5 | 2.12 | 32 | 81.9 % | 526,057,192 | 8.4 % | 7,631,091,040 | 4 |
| 2017 | 636,233,123 | 0.97 % | 6,088,568 | -521,499 | 29.5 | 2.12 | 32 | 81.6 % | 519,249,889 | 8.4 % | 7,547,858,925 | 4 |
| 2016 | 630,144,555 | 1.00 % | 6,210,387 | -521,499 | 29.5 | 2.12 | 31 | 81.3 % | 512,362,472 | 8.4 % | 7,464,022,049 | 4 |
| 2015 | 623,934,168 | 1.08 % | 6,516,356 | -566,077 | 29.1 | 2.14 | 31 | 81.0 % | 505,391,949 | 9.0 % | 7,379,797,139 | 4 |
| 2010 | 591,352,388 | 1.19 % | 6,770,271 | -758,698 | 27.4 | 2.26 | 29 | 79.4 % | 469,582,673 | 9.0 % | 6,956,823,603 | 4 |
| 2005 | 557,501,032 | 1.33 % | 7,132,946 | -1,066,141 | 25.8 | 2.49 | 28 | 77.7 % | 433,252,731 | 9.1 % | 6,541,907,027 | 4 |
| 2000 | 521,836,304 | 1.56 % | 7,763,608 | -933,677 | 24.2 | 2.77 | 26 | 76.1 % | 397,061,693 | 9.1 % | 6,143,493,823 | 4 |
| 1995 | 483,018,265 | 1.75 % | 8,035,641 | -860,729 | 23.0 | 3.08 | 24 | 73.8 % | 356,406,982 | 9.1 % | 5,744,212,979 | 4 |
| 1990 | 442,840,061 | 1.95 % | 8,163,281 | -791,221 | 21.8 | 3.45 | 22 | 71.2 % | 315,342,613 | 9.1 % | 5,327,231,061 | 4 |
| 1985 | 402,023,657 | 2.16 % | 8,154,090 | -700,732 | 20.8 | 3.94 | 20 | 68.3 % | 274,582,547 | 9.0 % | 4,870,921,740 | 4 |
| 1980 | 361,253,205 | 2.28 % | 7,695,203 | -702,994 | 19.8 | 4.44 | 18 | 65.1 % | 235,161,265 | 8.9 % | 4,458,003,514 | 4 |
| 1975 | 322,777,189 | 2.40 % | 7,220,297 | -534,632 | 19.1 | 4.92 | 16 | 61.5 % | 198,383,725 | 8.7 % | 4,079,480,606 | 4 |
| 1970 | 286,675,705 | 2.57 % | 6,843,950 | -438,870 | 18.6 | 5.46 | 14 | 57.6 % | 165,056,257 | 8.6 % | 3,700,437,046 | 4 |
| 1965 | 252,455,956 | 2.75 % | 6,397,252 | -324,767 | 18.6 | 5.83 | 13 | 34.7 % | 87,570,364 | 8.3 % | 3,339,583,597 | 4 |
| 1960 | 220,469,698 | 2.73 % | 5,548,496 | -227,702 | 18.9 | 5.85 | 11 | 49.6 % | 109,282,222 | 8.0 % | 3,034,949,748 | 4 |
| 1955 | 192,727,219 | 2.68 % | 4,781,320 | -94,755 | 19.4 | 5.83 | 10 | 45.4 % | 87,570,364 | 7.6 % | 2,773,019,936 | 4 |
Source: The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division provided an in-depth analysis of data in their report titled “World Population Prospects: The 2019 Revision” using the medium-fertility variant.
Latin America and the Caribbean Population Future Forecast
| Year | Population | Annual % Change |
Annual Change |
Migrants (net) | Median Age | Fertility Rate | Density (P/Km²) | Urban Pop. % |
Urban Population | Latin America and the Caribbean’s Share of World Pop. |
World Population | Latin America and the Caribbean Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 653,962,331 | 0.94 % | 6,005,633 | -521,499 | 31.0 | 2.04 | 32 | 82.5 % | 539,427,335 | 8.9 % | 7,794,798,739 | 4 |
| 2025 | 681,895,966 | 0.84 % | 5,586,727 | -203,546 | 32.7 | 2.06 | 34 | 83.8 % | 571,254,319 | 8.7 % | 8,184,437,460 | 4 |
| 2030 | 706,254,072 | 0.70 % | 4,871,621 | -141,914 | 34.5 | 2.07 | 35 | 85.0 % | 600,480,333 | 8.6 % | 8,548,487,400 | 4 |
| 2035 | 726,395,321 | 0.56 % | 4,028,250 | -205,972 | 36.2 | 2.08 | 36 | 86.3 % | 626,673,014 | 8.2 % | 8,887,524,213 | 4 |
| 2040 | 742,347,785 | 0.44 % | 3,190,493 | -206,808 | 37.9 | 2.09 | 37 | 87.5 % | 649,621,846 | 8.4 % | 9,198,847,240 | 3 |
| 2045 | 754,287,016 | 0.32 % | 2,387,846 | -200,060 | 39.4 | 2.09 | 37 | 88.7 % | 669,131,446 | 8.2 % | 9,481,803,274 | 3 |
| 2050 | 762,432,366 | 0.22 % | 1,629,070 | -195,789 | 40.8 | 2.10 | 38 | 89.9 % | 685,070,437 | 8.0 % | 9,735,033,990 | 3 |
Source: The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division provided an in-depth analysis of data in their report titled “World Population Prospects: The 2019 Revision” using the medium-fertility variant.
Understanding the Demographics of Latin America and the Caribbean: Key Terms Explained
Latin America and the Caribbean are regions with a rich cultural and historical heritage, home to diverse and vibrant societies. Its population is estimated by the United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division, based on various metrics, including the following:
Population
The total population of the region is estimated based on both sexes and all ages as of July 1 of the year indicated. As per the World Population Prospects: The 2019 Revision, the U.N. medium-fertility variant is used for forecasted years.
Yearly (Annual)% Change
The yearly percentage change in the total population is calculated from July 1 of the previous year to June 30 of the current year. For all other years, the latest year annual percentage change equivalent is assumed, assuming homogeneous change in the preceding five-year period, calculated through reverse compounding.
Yearly (Annual) Change
The yearly change is the absolute change in the total population, i.e., the increase or decrease in the number of people over the previous year, from July 1 of the previous year to June 30 of the current year. For all other years, the average annual numerical change over the preceding five-year period is calculated.
Migrants (Net)
The net migrants are calculated as the average annual number of immigrants minus the number of emigrants over the preceding five-year period, running from July 1 to June 30 of the initial and final years, or subsequent five-year period for 2016 data. A negative number indicates that there are more emigrants than immigrants.
Median Age
The median age divides the population into two numerically equal groups. Half of the population is older than the median age, and half is younger. This parameter provides an indication of age distribution.
Fertility Rate
The fertility rate, also known as the total fertility rate (TFR), is expressed as children per woman. It is calculated as the average number of children an average woman will have during her reproductive period (15 to 49 years old) based on the current fertility rates of every age group in the countries within Latin America and the Caribbean, assuming she is not subject to mortality.
Density (P/Km²)
The population density is the number of people per square kilometer. It is calculated as the total population divided by the total land area of the region in square kilometers.
Urban Pop. %
The urban population percentage is the urban population as a percentage of the total population.
Urban Population
The urban population is the population living in areas classified as urban according to the criteria used by each country.
Latin America and the Caribbean’s Share of World Pop
The total population of Latin America and the Caribbean is expressed as a percentage of the total world population as of July 1 of the year indicated.
Global Rank
The position held by Latin America and the Caribbean in the list of all regions worldwide ranked by population (from highest to lowest) as of July 1 of the year indicated is called the global rank.