Middle income Population 2026

As of 2025, the population of middle-income countries stands at approximately 5.94 billion. This aggregate, defined by the World Bank, includes a majority of the world's population residing in emerging economies. The region has experienced steady demographic growth over the past decade.

Population
5,938,893,610
Estimate for 2026
1-year growth
+0.81%
10-year avg growth
+0.98%

Population Trend

Overview

Middle-income countries, a World Bank classification based on GNI per capita, encompass a diverse set of nations from lower-middle to upper-middle income levels. As of 2025, their combined population is 5,938,893,610, reflecting a 1-year growth rate of 0.81% from 2024 to 2025. Over the past ten years, the average annual growth rate has been 0.98%, indicating a gradual slowdown in population expansion.

This demographic trend is shaped by varying fertility rates and aging populations across regions. In many middle-income countries, particularly in East Asia and Latin America, fertility has declined to replacement levels or below, contributing to slower growth. Conversely, parts of South Asia and Africa within this group still experience higher growth, though the overall trajectory is moderating.

The 0.81% annual increase translates to an addition of roughly 48 million people per year, sustaining the large absolute population size. This growth has implications for economic development, urbanization, and resource demand. The 10-year average of 0.98% suggests that the peak growth period for middle-income countries has passed, aligning with global trends of demographic transition.

Regional disparities remain significant: while China's population is near zero growth, India's continues to expand, and many African middle-income nations maintain growth above 2%. The aggregate figures mask these variations, but the overall picture is one of a large, slowly growing population that faces challenges of aging, urbanization, and sustainable development.

FAQ

What is the population of middle-income countries in 2025?
As of 2025, the total population of middle-income countries is 5,938,893,610.
What is the growth rate of middle-income countries?
The one-year growth rate is 0.81% (2024–2025), and the ten-year average annual growth rate is 0.98%.
Which countries are considered middle income?
Middle-income countries are those with a GNI per capita between $1,136 and $13,845 (2023 World Bank thresholds). Examples include India, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, and Turkey.
Why is the population of middle-income countries important?
Middle-income countries house most of the world's population and drive global economic growth. Their demographic trends affect labor markets, consumption, and climate change.
How has the population of middle-income countries changed over the past decade?
Over the past ten years, the population has grown at an average annual rate of 0.98%, adding about 48 million people per year, reaching 5.94 billion in 2025.

Data sources & terms