Located in the southern, western, and partially northern hemispheres, South America is a subcontinent. To some people, however, South America is entirely a continent on its own.
Colombia, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Peru, Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Venezuela, Suriname, Guyana, and Ecuador make up some of the most populated countries on the South American continent.
Three dependent territories, including the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and French Guiana, are also a part of the continent and are located in its marine regions.
These are the ten most highly populated countries in South America.
Brazil, 204.5 Million
With 204 million inhabitants, Brazil has the highest population density in South America and ranks fifth globally. Approximately 8.6 million km squared makes it the largest country in terms of land area.
Brazil’s population is expanding at a rate that is significantly higher than anticipated. However, in the upcoming years, it is anticipated that the population increase would stabilize.
Colombia, 48.5 Million
With an estimated 49 million people, Colombia has the second-largest population in South America. The majority of Colombians are young, with a large percentage of youngsters under the age of 15. Colombia’s population is growing at a 0.9 per cent annual rate. The Andean highlands have the most people living there.
Argentina, 43.1 Million
With 43 million citizens, Argentina is third in terms of population. Argentina has a far lower population density than the rest of the globe, which is 50 people per square kilometre. Argentina’s population density is 15 people per square kilometre. One of the lowest rates in South America, the population growth rate now stands at 1.03% annually.
Peru, 31.2 Million
Located on the western edge of the continent, Peru shares borders with Ecuador, Colombia, and Brazil to the north and east, respectively. It ranks as the fourth most populated nation in South America with a population of 31 million. Up to 75% of the population dwells in cities. The growth rate between 1950 and 2000 dropped from 2.6% to 1.5% in recent years. More than 9.8 million people live in Lima, the nation’s capital.
Venezuela, 30.6 Million
With a population of approximately 30 million, Venezuela is situated on South America’s northern coast. Venezuela is one of the most urbanized nations in South America due to the majority of its citizens living in cities. The northern region of the country is home to many large cities. The southern region is only home to 5% of the population.
Ecuador, 16.3 Million
Ecuador is located in the northwest of South America and shares borders with Peru to the south and Colombia to the north. Its population is extremely diversified, and it is acknowledged as one of the most illustrious 17 megadiverse nations in the world. Ecuador had a population of 16 million as of 2017 and was growing at a 1.57 per cent yearly pace.
Chile, 18 Million
West of the Andes, in a long, thin strip bordering the Atlantic Ocean, is a country called Chile. Approximately 18 million people live there. Chile’s population is expected to continue to expand at a stabilized rate, like that of the majority of South American nations, thanks to a consistent population growth rate of 1.05 per cent.
Bolivia, 10.5 Million
In the west-central part of South America, there lies a landlocked nation called Bolivia. On the east, north, and south, it shares boundaries with Paraguay. The Andean mountain range takes up around one-third of Bolivia’s overall land area. With 10.5 million citizens, the nation is populated.
At a population growth rate of 2.25 per cent per year over the past fifty years, the population has tripled. With the remainder of the population living in rural areas, Bolivians make up about 62.3% of the world’s population.
Paraguay, 7 Million
Argentina and Brazil are Paraguay’s neighbours to the south and east, respectively. With a population of 7 million and a growth rate of 1.58 per cent annually, it is the ninth most populated nation in South America.
The majority of people live in the eastern part of the nation, close to Asuncion, the capital city, which is home to 10% of the country’s residents. The lowest percentage of urban dwellers in South America, only 56% of Paraguayans reside in cities.
Uruguay, 3.3 Million
In the southeast of South America, there lies a country called Uruguay. The population of the nation is 3.3 million, and its annual population growth rate is less than 1% (0.8). The largest city in Uruguay, Montevideo, is home to about 1.8 million people. Only Suriname has a smaller area than Uruguay in all of South America.
Conclusion
More than half of South America’s population resides in Brazil, which is by far the most populated nation on the continent. Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela, and Peru are the next most populous nations.
While the interior and the deep south of the continent are scarcely populated, the majority of people reside around its western or eastern coasts.
Brazil is now the continent’s leading regional power and produces half of the continent’s GDP.
