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When did Pakistan overtake Brazil in population?

2009: Pakistan overtook Brazil in population. Pakistan leads in 2023. UN annual population estimates.

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What the data shows

  • Pakistan: 130.75M in 1994, 247.51M in 2023 (1.9× higher).
  • Brazil: 159.27M in 1994, 211.14M in 2023.

About this chart

Pakistan overtook Brazil in 2009 in the annual population series. The change is visible between consecutive observations: in 2008, Pakistan stood at 189.5 million, against Brazil at 190.37 million. In 2009, the order reversed, with Pakistan at 194.38 million and Brazil at 192.08 million. This is the most recent upward crossing by Pakistan in the available record.

By 2023, Pakistan was ahead: Pakistan recorded 247.5 million and Brazil 211.14 million. These are UN World Population Prospects historical estimates, rather than census counts taken simultaneously in both countries. The chart uses the same annual series for each side and stops at the last common estimate, so future medium-variant projections do not determine the crossing.

The data

Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024 via Our World in Data; estimates to 2023, medium-variant projections after, millions of people. Retrieved November 5, 2026. Crossings compare adjacent annual observations; the highlighted year is the most recent upward crossing in this series. Historical UN estimates only; the chart contains no future projections.

Pakistan overtakes Brazil, Population, millions of people, 1994–2023, 1994–2023
Date🇵🇰 Pakistan🇧🇷 Brazil
1994130.75M159.27M
1995134.58M161.74M
1996138.56M164.20M
1997142.53M166.66M
1998146.52M169.16M
1999150.57M171.64M
2000154.88M174.02M
2001159.27M176.30M
2002163.22M178.50M
2003167.11M180.62M
2004171.29M182.68M
2005175.45M184.69M
2006179.68M186.65M
2007184.49M188.55M
2008189.50M190.37M
2009194.38M192.08M
2010199.24M193.70M
2011203.75M195.29M
2012207.67M196.88M
2013211.07M198.48M
2014214.27M200.09M
2015217.29M201.68M
2016220.14M203.22M
2017223.27M204.70M
2018226.93M206.11M
2019230.80M207.46M
2020235.00M208.66M
2021239.48M209.55M
2022243.70M210.31M
2023247.51M211.14M

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Frequently asked questions

When did Pakistan overtake Brazil in population?

Pakistan overtook Brazil in 2009 in the annual population series. Pakistan was below Brazil in 2008 and above it in 2009.

Which has the larger population in 2023?

By 2023, Pakistan was ahead: Pakistan recorded 247.5 million and Brazil 211.14 million.

What does the population comparison measure?

These are UN World Population Prospects historical estimates, rather than census counts taken simultaneously in both countries. The chart uses the same annual series for each side and stops at the last common estimate, so future medium-variant projections do not determine the crossing.

Where does this data come from?

UN World Population Prospects 2024 via Our World in Data; estimates to 2023, medium-variant projections after, millions of people. Retrieved November 5, 2026. Crossings compare adjacent annual observations; the highlighted year is the most recent upward crossing in this series. Historical UN estimates only; the chart contains no future projections. You can download the full table as a CSV from this page.

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