Expats seeking to relocate to live a better life often explore a country’s population density as one of their deciding factors.
Population density is the measure of people living per unit area, typically square kilometers or square miles. It’s crucial for understanding a country’s demographics and lifestyle as it reveals how crowded or spacious an area is, impacting resource allocation, urbanization, infrastructure, and quality of life. High density often implies urbanization and unique societal dynamics, while low density signifies rural areas with distinct lifestyles.
Low population density is also important in terms of preserving natural resources, minimizing environmental impact, and fostering unique cultural aspects. Sparse populations often lead to reduced resource depletion, less pollution, and the preservation of traditional lifestyles and cultural diversity.
In this article, we’ll give an overview of the pros and cons of living in a country with a low population, reasons to consider living in such a country, and an overview of ten of the least populated countries in the world.
Factors Affecting Population Density
Low population density is often influenced by a combination of geographic features, climate, and economic opportunities. Mountains, deserts, and dense forests create natural barriers that limit human settlement and transportation, reducing population density. Harsh climates, extreme temperatures, and lack of resources in arid regions deter people from living there.
In addition, economic opportunities play a crucial role; areas with limited job prospects and industries tend to have lower population densities as people seek better livelihoods elsewhere.
Conversely, regions with robust economies and diverse job markets attract more residents, resulting in higher population densities. Therefore, a complex interplay of geography, climate, and economic factors shapes population density in various regions around the world.
What’s more, low population density factors impact settlement patterns and infrastructure development by limiting urbanization and transportation networks. Sparse populations often result in small, dispersed settlements, making it costly to build and maintain infrastructure like roads and utilities. This can hinder economic growth and access to essential services in sparsely populated areas.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Low Population Density
Benefits of low population density
- Preserved natural environments: Low population density often leads to less urban sprawl, helping preserve natural landscapes and biodiversity.
- Reduced stress on resources: Lower population densities result in less strain on water, energy, and food resources, promoting sustainability.
- Potential for sustainable living: Sparsely populated areas can foster self-sufficiency, with opportunities for eco-friendly practices like farming and renewable energy generation.
Drawbacks of low population density
- Limited access to services: Remote areas may have limited access to healthcare, education, and emergency services, impacting quality of life.
- Fewer economic opportunities: Sparse populations can translate to fewer job options, lower income levels, and reduced economic growth.
- Social isolation: Low population density can lead to social isolation, with fewer opportunities for social interaction and community support.
Technology’s role in bridging gaps
- Telemedicine and e-learning: Technology enables remote access to healthcare and education, mitigating some challenges of low population density.
- Remote work: Digital connectivity allows individuals to work from remote areas, reducing the dependence on traditional job markets.
- Economic diversification: Technology can facilitate e-commerce and online businesses, potentially diversifying economic opportunities in sparsely populated regions.
While low population density offers environmental benefits and sustainable living potential, it also poses challenges related to services and economic opportunities, which can be partially addressed through technological advancements.
Preserving Culture and Tradition
In contrast to more densely populated places, low population density frequently nurtures robust cultural preservation, including native languages, by fostering isolated communities where traditions thrive. In such settings, cultural practices and customs are handed down through generations, maintaining their authenticity and significance.
For example, in Bhutan, remote mountain villages sustain their distinctive Bhutanese culture, including elaborate traditional clothing and vibrant festivals like Tshechu. Similarly, in Papua New Guinea, isolated tribes like the Huli people maintain their rich cultural heritage through unique rituals such as the “singsing” gatherings, where they showcase intricate face paint, dance, and music.
Ten Countries with the Lowest Population Density
In the section below, we give a brief overview of the ten least populated countries in the world, including the population density in people per km² (people per square kilometer) and people per m² (people per square mile).
10. Suriname
Suriname, located on South America’s northeastern coast, boasts diverse cultures, lush rainforests, and the Surinamese-Dutch fusion cuisine. Its scenic beauty and cultural richness make it a unique place to live. Suriname’s population density is currently four people per km² or ten people per m².
9. Libya
Lybia is part of North Africa and known for its vast desert landscapes, including the Sahara, as well as rich historical sites like Leptis Magna. Despite economic and political challenges, the country holds historical and natural treasures and has one of the fastest-growing economies in 2023. Generally, 3.6 people live in Lybia per km², or 9.4 people per m².
8. French Guiana
French Guiana, on South America’s Atlantic coast, is famous for its Amazon rainforests, biodiversity, and the Guiana Space Centre. Its unique blend of cultures, from indigenous peoples to Creole influences, makes it culturally rich and diverse. It’s sparsely populated, with a population density of four people per km² or ten people per m².
7. Iceland
Iceland is a North Atlantic island nation renowned for its stunning landscapes, including glaciers, volcanoes, and geothermal wonders like geysers. Its small population enjoys a high standard of living and a rich cultural heritage. Iceland’s population density has slightly increased, with four people per km² or ten people per m².
6. Australia
Australia is the world’s smallest continent and a popular destination for expats from all over the globe. It is famous for its unique wildlife, stunning landscapes like the Outback and Great Barrier Reef, and vibrant cities such as Sydney and Melbourne. Nevertheless, it is population density is low, with three people per km² or nine people per m².
5. Namibia
This southwestern African country boasts captivating desert landscapes, including the iconic Namib Desert and the otherworldly Skeleton Coast. It’s celebrated for wildlife like desert-adapted elephants and offers a blend of cultural experiences in towns like Windhoek. Namibia has a growing expat population through its attractive residence-by-investment program.
It’s also one of the least populated countries, with just three people per km² or nine people per m².
4. Mongolia
Mongolia is a vast landlocked nation in East Asia, known for its nomadic heritage and wide-open steppes. Although it faces some political issues, such as disputed territory with China over regions like Inner Mongolia, it has pristine landscapes and unique cultural traditions to offer.
With an estimated population of just over three million, Mongolia has a sparse population, namely two people per km² and six people per m².
3. Western Sahara
Western Sahara is a disputed territory in North Africa, with competing claims from Morocco and the Polisario Front. Its status remains unresolved, while the Sahrawi people seek self-determination. The region is known for its arid landscapes and complex geopolitical issues.
It is one of the least densely populated countries, with only two people per km² and six people per m².
2. Falkland Islands
With a total population of only 3,794 people, the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory in the South Atlantic and South America, are renowned for their rugged beauty and abundant wildlife, such as penguins. The islands have a unique history, including the 1982 conflict between Britain and Argentina over sovereignty.
Sparsely populated, the average density of the second least populated country is one person per m².
1. Greenland
Greenland is an autonomous island nation in the North Atlantic Ocean and territory of Denmark and is the world’s largest island. Its vast ice sheet covers most of the land, while coastal areas offer stunning fjords and wildlife. Inuit culture and Arctic adventures make it a unique destination. It is also the world’s least densely populated territory, with statistically, a mere 0.14 people per km².
Why You Should Consider Relocating to a Country with a Low Population Density
Relocating to a low-population-density country offers several advantages. You can enjoy abundant open spaces, pristine environments, and a quieter lifestyle. Additionally, such countries often have investment opportunities due to undeveloped markets, making it a potential frontier for entrepreneurial ventures and a unique quality of life.
What’s more, several immigrant investor programs allow foreign nationals to gain residency or citizenship in countries with a low population density. Canada sits just outside the top ten countries for the lowest population density. It is proactively working to boost its population through visa initiatives like the Startup Visa and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP).
Frequently Asked Questions About the Least Populated Countries in the World
Which country has the lowest population density in the world?
Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, is the least densely populated country, with a vast land area and a population of only around 56,000 people. Its population density is approximately 0.14 people per km².
Which country has the lowest population density in Asia?
Mongolia, in Central Asia, has the lowest population density in the continent. With a vast land area, its population of approximately three million results in one of the sparsest population densities in Asia.
Which country has the lowest population density in Europe?
The country with the lowest population density in Europe is Iceland. Its rugged landscapes and a population of around 360,000 people make it one of the least densely populated nations on the continent.
Which countries are underpopulated?
Several countries are considered underpopulated due to their vast land areas and low population densities. Examples include Mongolia, Namibia, Australia, Canada, and Greenland, where abundant land outweighs the number of inhabitants.
Does Europe have a high or low population density?
Europe has varying population densities across its countries and regions. Central Europe tends to have higher population densities due to urbanization, while some Northern and Eastern European countries like Norway and Latvia have lower population densities, thanks to vast, less populated areas.
