Quick facts
United States population overview
The United States is the most populous of 41 countries and territories in North America. The United Nations put the population at 348,178,857 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +0.5% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 4,671 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 3,655,878 births (10.5 per 1,000 people) and 3,133,610 deaths (9 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 1,183,808 people. The infant mortality rate is 4.7 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 180,671,000 in 1960 to 341,784,857 in 2025 — a change of +89.2%, or +1% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 38.7 years; life expectancy at birth is 79.8 years; women have on average 1.6 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 17.1% of residents are under 15 and 18.4% are 65 or older (2025); 80.2% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Washington D.C.. The United States covers 9,831,510 km², giving a population density of about 35.6 people per km². GDP was $30.77T in 2025 — about $90,027 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
United States population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 349,539,408 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 348,178,857 |
| World rank | #3 of 238 |
| Rank in North America | #1 of 41 |
| Share of world population | 4.2% |
| Annual growth rate | +0.5% |
| Births per year est. | 3,655,878 |
| Deaths per year est. | 3,133,610 |
| Net migration per year est. | +1,183,808 |
| Birth rate | 10.5 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 9 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 4.7 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 101 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 38.7 years |
| Life expectancy | 79.8 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.6 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 80.2% |
| Surface area 2023 | 9,831,510 km² |
| Population density | 35.6 per km² |
| Capital | Washington D.C. |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $30.77T |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $90,027 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
United States population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 349,539,408 | – | – |
| 2025 | 341,784,857 | +1,781,060 | +0.5% |
| 2024 | 340,003,797 | +3,248,745 | +1% |
| 2023 | 336,755,052 | +2,758,748 | +0.8% |
| 2022 | 333,996,304 | +1,896,138 | +0.6% |
| 2021 | 332,100,166 | +522,062 | +0.2% |
| 2020 | 331,578,104 | +9,762,983 | +0.6% |
| 2015 | 321,815,121 | +12,436,894 | +0.8% |
| 2010 | 309,378,227 | +13,861,628 | +0.9% |
| 2005 | 295,516,599 | +13,354,188 | +0.9% |
| 2000 | 282,162,411 | +15,884,411 | +1.2% |
| 1995 | 266,278,000 | +16,655,000 | +1.3% |
| 1990 | 249,623,000 | +11,699,000 | +1% |
| 1985 | 237,924,000 | +10,699,000 | +0.9% |
| 1980 | 227,225,000 | +11,252,000 | +1% |
| 1975 | 215,973,000 | +10,921,000 | +1% |
| 1970 | 205,052,000 | +10,749,000 | +1.1% |
| 1965 | 194,303,000 | +13,632,000 | +1.5% |
| 1960 | 180,671,000 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About United States of America
Population over time
- From 180,671,000 in 1960 to 349,539,408 today — up 93.5%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +0.6% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 78.9 years (2024), up 9.1 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.6 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 10.6 births vs 9 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 1.6 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 17.1% of the population is under 15 and 18.4% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 8.8% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 4,632.2 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 5,928.8 Mt in 2000 — down 21.9% since.
- Per person: 13.62 t in 2024, vs 22.41 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 6,361.4 kg of oil equivalent per person (2024), down 17.1% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 10.9% of final energy in 2021 (+6.7 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 33.9% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 33% to 33.9% since 1990 — roughly 83,039 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 80.2% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 70% in 1960 (+10.2 points).
- Majority-urban for the whole period covered.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low–medium — freshwater withdrawals are 15.8% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 8,437 m³ in 2022, down 45% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $30.77T in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 68.2% since 2015.
- That works out to $90,027 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 4.2% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 2.9% in 2024.
Internet & mobile
- 94.7% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 113.2 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
United States of America in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of the United States in 2026?
As of October 2026, the United States has an estimated population of 349,539,408. The United Nations estimated 348,178,857 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +0.5% annual growth rate.
Is the population of the United States growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +0.5% per year — roughly 4,671 more people every day. Each year there are about 3,655,878 births and 3,133,610 deaths, with net migration of +1,183,808.
What is the population density of the United States?
About 35.6 people per square kilometre: 349,539,408 people living on 9,831,510 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in the United States?
The median age is 38.7 years, and life expectancy at birth is 79.8 years. 17.1% of the population is under 15 and 18.4% is 65 or older (2025).
How does the United States rank by population?
The United States is the 3rd most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 1st in North America, with 4.2% of the global population.
How has the population of the United States changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 180,671,000; by 2025 it had grown to 341,784,857 (+89.2%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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BrazilSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+0.5%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.