In this article, we will list the 35 least densely populated countries in the world. We will begin by discussing population density and how remote work is causing population dynamics in the US to shift. If you want to skip this discussion, go to The 15 Least Densely Populated Countries in the World.
Most demographers agree that population density is a much more essential metric than the overall population of an area. It refers to the number of people living in a unit area (usually per square kilometer or square mile). Population density paints a much clearer picture compared to population as it shows the amount of competition for land and other limited resources in the country.
More recently, the success of digital communication tools such as Zoom Video Communications, Inc.(NASDAQ:ZM)'s Zoom and the subsequent rise in remote work has shaped the population dynamics of countries throughout the world, including the United States. One of the reasons why people choose highly populated and expensive cities is that they have good jobs. However, it turns out that when the same jobs were available online, people started moving to less dense cities with better lifestyles and lower costs.
While high population density figures are certainly not good, low figures are also detrimental to the economy. This is the reason why countries like Canada, which have low population densities, entice people from all around the world to immigrate there.
While the global population has been steadily increasing, it has not been evenly distributed across different regions and countries. Asia, for example, has the highest population density among continents. It hosts almost 60% of the world's population despite consisting of 30% of the world's land area. On the other end of the spectrum are European and American countries, which have seen minimal population growth over the years.
Circling back to the rise of remote work and its effect on population density, it is worth noting that the pandemic has led to significant shifts in population distribution within the United States. Many urban areas which traditionally attracted large populations due to amenities and job opportunities have experienced population decline. New York City, for example, lost over 5% of its population in the two years following the pandemic. Over 468,200 people left the city between April 2020 and July 2022 to other parts of New York State or New Jersey, seeking lower living costs and more space.
It has been noticed that many Urban centers have not only seen a decrease in population growth but even a population decline following the remote work trend. However, the opposite of this is also true for suburban areas, which have seen a population increase as remote workers relocate to these areas. This trend has affected housing markets, economic activities, and urban planning in many cities throughout the United States and the world.
Some of the industries and occupations that have embraced remote work include technology, finance, marketing, healthcare, and customer service. Jobs that can be performed remotely typically involve those that heavily rely on digital tools and communication platforms, which is why digital communication tools such as Zoom Video Communications, Inc.(NASDAQ:ZM)'s Zoom saw a massive boost during the pandemic. It is a video conferencing and communication platform founded by Eric Yuan in 2011, with a focus on creating a user-friendly and reliable virtual meeting space. Zoom Video Communications, Inc.(NASDAQ:ZM)'s video conferencing platform gained widespread popularity during the pandemic as businesses and individuals started relying on remote communication tools to stay connected while adhering to social distancing tools.
With that backdrop, let's look at the 35 least densely populated countries in the world. Keep on reading our list to discover the emptiest country in the world.
The 35 Least Densely Populated Countries in the World
Photo by Luká? Lehotsky on Unsplash
Methodology
To curate our list of the 35 least densely populated countries in the world, we took the population figures of all the countries in the world and divided them by their total area in miles. All our population density figures are per square mile and use the latest population figures that were available for that country. For ranking and tiebreaking purposes, we used the total land area of the country. If, for example, countries A and B have the same population density, but country B has a larger land area, it will rank higher in our list.
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35 - Uruguay
Population Per Square Mile - 51
Uruguay is one of the least densely populated countries in the world. The majority of the population in the country resides in the capital city of Montevideo.
34 - Mali
Population Per Square Mile - 51
Mali is 34th on our list of the 35 least densely populated countries in the world. Most of the population in this African country is concentrated along the Niger River. The country has a predominantly rural population with over 90% of its people residing in the southern region.
33 - Algeria
Population Per Square Mile - 50
Despite being one of the ten most populous countries in Africa, Algeria is one of the least densely populated ones. The population distribution in the country is concentrated in the north, as the Sahara dominates the southern geography.
32 - Belize
Population Per Square Mile - 47
Situated in central America, Belize is one of the least densely populated countries in the world. The population in the country is concentrated in its northern part, particularly in Belize City, which is also its most significant economic hub.
31 - Finland
Population Per Square Mile - 47
Finland is 31st on our list of the 35 least densely populated countries in the world Its population distribution is mainly concentrated in the southern region, particularly in the Helsinki metropolitan area.
30 - Republic of the Congo
Population Per Square Mile - 47
The Republic of Congo is another African country on our list of the least densely populated countries in the world. Its population is concentrated in the southwestern part of the country, particularly in urban areas such as Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire.
29 - South Sudan
Population Per Square Mile - 46
South Sudan is among the least densely populated countries in the world. The country has a vast area of inhabitable land, which contributes to the overall low population density.
28 - Paraguay
Population Per Square Mile - 45
Paraguay has an uneven population distribution as most of it is concentrated in the eastern region near Asunción. Its most sparsely populated is Gran Chaco which makes up for less than 2% of its total population.
27 - Saudi Arabia
Population Per Square Mile - 45
Saudi Arabia is one of the very few Asian countries on our list of the least densely populated countries in the world. Despite having a population of more than 32 million, its vast land area of 2,149,690 square kilometers contributes to its low population density.
26 - Argentina
Population Per Square Mile - 44
Argentina is one of the least densely populated countries in southern America. Its population is growing at a slow pace because of the declining birth rate, with fertility decline starting earlier than in the rest of Latin America.
25 - New Caledonia
Population Per Square Mile - 42
New Caledonia is 25th on our list of the least densely populated countries in the world. It is a French territory in the Pacific with scattered settlements.
24 - Oman
Population Per Square Mile - 39
Oman has a sparse population distribution, with most of the population centers located around the northern mountains and the southern city of Salah. Its terrain consists of harsh deserts and rugged mountains limiting inhabitable areas.
23 - Norway
Population Per Square Mile - 39
Norway is 23rd on our list of the least densely populated countries in the world. The country has just under 5.5 million people.
22 - Chad
Population Per Square Mile - 39
Chad is a central African country with an uneven population distribution. The country's population is concentrated in the Logone Occidental Region and the capital city of N'Djamena.
21 - Turkmenistan
Population Per Square Mile - 36
Despite having a population of around 5.6 million people, Turkmenistan is one of the least densely populated countries in the world. The country has unique geographical features, such as deserts and plateaus, contributing to overall low population density.
20 - Bolivia
Population Per Square Mile - 30
Bolivia is among the top 20 least densely populated countries in the world. The country has a significant urban-rural population divide with about 67.49% of Bolivians residing in urban areas and the remaining 32.51% in rural regions.
19 - Gabon
Population Per Square Mile - 25
Gabon is another Central African country on our list of the least densely populated countries in the world. At about 91%, the country has a significant urban population.
18 - Central African Republic
Population Per Square Mile - 25
Central African Republic is one of the least densely populated countries in Africa. About 43% of the residents in the country live in Urban areas.
17 - Russia
Population Per Square Mile - 23
Russia, the largest country in the world in terms of land area, is one of the least densely populated countries in the world. The country has uneven population distribution because of its large inhabitable lands such as Siberia.
16 - Niue
Population Per Square Mile - 19
Niue is 16th on our list of the 35 least densely populated countries in the world. The country is also known for being one of the world's largest coral islands.