Country Profile: World

The World is a diverse and complex entity characterized by its vast geography, rapidly growing population, intricate economies, and varied systems of governance. Approximately 70.9% of the Earth's surface is covered by water, which houses significant marine biodiversity and influences global climate patterns. The human population has surged to over 8 billion as of 2022, leading to urbanization and shifts in societal structures. Economically, the World boasts a gross domestic product (GDP) of around $173 trillion, indicating a substantial and multifaceted economic landscape. Governance systems vary significantly across the globe, from democracies to monarchies, reflecting the rich tapestry of cultures and political ideologies.

Geography

The Earth's landmass is divided into continents, with Asia being the largest and most populous, followed by Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia. The total area of the World is approximately 510.072 million square kilometers, with about 29.1% consisting of land.

• 356,000 km of coastline, highlighting extensive maritime boundaries.
• The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean, measuring 155,557,000 sq km.
• The mean elevation of land is recorded at 840 m.

People and Society

As of 2024, the global population is estimated to be 8,057,236,243. The demographic structure shows 24.5% of the population is aged 0-14, and 10.3% are 65 years and older. English, Mandarin Chinese, and Hindi are among the most widely spoken languages, while Christianity and Islam are the leading religions.

• 57.5% of the population live in urban areas, with an urbanization rate of 1.73%.
• The global birth rate stands at 17 births per 1,000 population in 2024.
• The life expectancy at birth is approximately 70.5 years.

Economy

The World’s economy is a blend of agriculture, industry, and services, with the latter dominating at 66.2% of GDP. The real GDP (purchasing power parity) is projected to be $173.163 trillion in 2024, showcasing substantial economic activity.

• The unemployment rate is estimated to be 4.9% in 2024.
• Agricultural output accounts for 4% of GDP, with significant contributions from various sectors.
• $32.379 trillion is projected in exports for 2024.

Government

Globally, there are 197 recognized countries, each with different governance structures ranging from democracies to monarchies. The UN flag represents the World, displaying a world map surrounded by olive branches, symbolizing peace.

• The legal systems are often a mix of civil, common, and religious law.
• The geopolitical landscape is complex, with several territories and dependencies governed by different nations.
• 1,223 UNESCO World Heritage Sites highlight the cultural and natural significance of the regions.

Military and Security

The World collectively hosts approximately 20 million active-duty military personnel. Military expenditures in 2024 are estimated at 2.4% of global GDP.

• The US is recognized as the leading arms exporter.
• 68,000 personnel are currently deployed in UN peacekeeping missions worldwide.

Energy

Electricity access is vital for development, with 91.4% of the population enjoying electrification. The electricity generation capacity is around 9.08 billion kW as of 2023.

• 60.1% of installed capacity comes from fossil fuels.
• 27.047 trillion kWh of electricity consumption is reported for 2023.

Environment

Environmental challenges include pollution, loss of biodiversity, and climate change. Approximately 38% of land is used for agriculture, affecting ecosystems globally.

• The World’s total renewable water resources are estimated at 54 trillion cubic meters.
• Significant carbon dioxide emissions reached 37.079 billion metric tonnes in 2023.

Transportation

The global transportation infrastructure includes 47,242 airports and 1,148,186 km of railways, facilitating movement and trade.

• The merchant marine fleet comprises 103,577 vessels, enabling international trade.

Communications

Telecommunications are critical for connectivity, with 9,144,200,000 mobile cellular subscriptions reported for 2024.

• 74% of the global population has access to the Internet.
• Fixed broadband subscriptions total 1,495,600,000.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	8,057,236,243	2024 estimate
Area	510.072 million sq km	Total land and water area
GDP (PPP)	$173.163 trillion	2024 estimate
Unemployment Rate	4.9%	2024 estimate
Birth Rate	17 births/1,000 population	2024 estimate
Life Expectancy	70.5 years	2020 estimate
Urban Population	57.5% of total population	2023 estimate
Carbon Dioxide Emissions	37.079 billion metric tonnes	2023 estimate
Electricity Access	91.4% of total population	2022 estimate