Category Archives: Countries

Pakistan Population 2013

The population of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is estimated to be about 180.44 million people, which is an increase of about 2.1% from the last record of the population. The population had been less than both the population of Bangladesh and the United States of America. However, in the mid 1970s, the population of Pakistan exceeded the population of Bangladesh, but is still less than the United States’ population. Based on the total land area and the total population of the country, the population density is estimated to be about 555 people per square mile.

Demographics of Pakistan

The population of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is comprised of a variety of unique ethnic groups. The largest group would be the Punjabi group, which makes up around 44% of the population. The Punjabi group speaks the most widely spoken native language, Punjabi. A few of the other large ethnic groups include Pashtun, Baluchi, and Sindhi. The official language of the country is Pakistani English, which is used in all official activities.

Religion in Pakistan

The major religion in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is the Islamic religion, making up over 96% of the population. In fact, Pakistan contains the second highest Muslim population in the entire world. Of these Muslims, the majority of them consider themselves to be Sunni Muslims. Only about 15% of them identify as Shi’a Muslims. Christianity and Hinduism only make up a little over 1.5% of the population each.

Sports in Pakistan

The most popular sport in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan happens to be the sport of cricket. Pakistan is widely played by people of all different skill levels. The country has also won quite a few international cricket events. A few other big sports in the country are field hockey, squash, and polo.

Food in Pakistan

Pakistani cuisine is a refined blend of various regional cooking traditions of South Asia. Pakistani cuisine is known for its richness and flavor. The traditional food of Pakistan is the Tandoori and Biryani. The tandoori is baked marinated lamb, beef, or chicken that is cooked in a clay oven. The Biryani is rice that is cooked in fish or meat sauce with cinnamon, cloves and other spices. At its simplest, Pakistani food today consists of staple ingredients which are cheap and abundant. Wheat and other flour products are the mainstay of the diet, one familiar form being chapati, an unleavened bread akin to a Mexican tortilla. This is made with dough prepared from whole wheat flour. Another basic Pakistani food is lassi, milk from which curds and butterfat have been removed. Vegetables, usually seasonal, lentils are commonly used. Families with larger incomes eat more meat, eggs and fruits. And the more affluent cook with ghee, which is clarified butter, instead of with vegetable oil.

Pakistan Population Growth

Historical Population of Pakistan

Over the last half of a century, the population of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has historically increased.  However, the population around the mid 1970s began to increase at a faster rate.

Projected Population of Pakistan

The population of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is expected to portray the same trends that it has shown over the last half of a century.  The population will continue to increase at a high rate due to the high birth rates and the low death rates.  The birth rates will range from about 26.3 births per 1000 people to about 14.3 births per 1000 people.  In contrast, the death rates will range from about 6.9 deaths per 1000 people to about 8.1 deaths per 1000 people.  Despite the fact that the net migration rates will be negative throughout the next 37 years, the population will still increase due to the high birth rates.

Venezuela Population 2013

The current population of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is estimated to be about 29.28 million people, which is an increase of about 1.6% from the last record of population. The population has consistently been smaller than the population of both Argentina and Colombia. Based on the total land area and the population of the country, the population density of the country is about 82.7 people per square mile.

Demographics of Venezuela

The last census that was done where the population of Venezuela identified themselves asked the population to identify in regards to customs or ancestry. Because of this, the ethnic group or choice “mestizo” was not even an option, which is normally a fairly large ethnic group in Latin American populations. However, the largest answers to this question were about 50% identified as multiracial and about 42% identified as white. However, almost half of the population also identified as the term “Moreno”, which indicates dark-skinned instead of light-skinned. The rest of the population identified as African, Amerindian, or some member of an indigenous group. The largest indigenous group is considered to be the Wayuu group. The official language of the country is the Spanish language. However, over 40 languages are spoken due to the various indigenous populations and other cultures in the country.

Religion in Venezuela

The largest religion among the population of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is the Roman Catholic religion, making up over 90% of the population. About 8% of the population is considered to be a member of some Protestant denomination. There is also a very small community of Muslims in the country.

Sports in Venezuela

The three biggest sports in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela are baseball, football (American soccer), and tennis. The national baseball and football teams compete at a very competitive level among other national teams. Also, top very popular tennis events in the country are the Venezuelan Fed Cup and the Venezuelan Davis Cup.

Food in Venezuela

Venezuela has many popular main dishes that locals enjoy at breakfast, lunch and dinner time. But there’s also a range of desserts, sweets and drinks to enjoy in Venezuela. The cuisine in Venezuela has a lot of European influences (especially Italian, Spanish and French) and is quite flavourful. But you can also find indigenous as well as African influence. As Venezuela is such a large and diverse country, each region has its own distinctive regional cooking. You’ll also find a local feel to the foods you’ll eat in Venezuela. As you travel in Venezuela close to the coastline, you’ll find locals and tourists gravitating towards seafood and shellfish dishes . As you move into the highlands, the food ingredients tend to have more corn and rice in them. Meats of all types are very important parts of Venezuelan cuisine. You’ll find many Venezuelan dishes with beef, deer, goat, rabbit, lamb or chicken as well. Below is a guide to many of the best foods people in Venezuela enjoy for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks in between.

Venezuela Official Guide

Other Resources

Learn more about Venezuela Population Statistics here.

Philippines Population 2013

The current population of the Republic of the Philippines is estimated to be approximately 97.704 million people, which is an increase of 3.0% from the last record of the population. Historically, the population of the Philippines had been less than the population of the population of Vietnam. However, at the turn of the century, the populations of the two countries overlapped and then the population of the Philippines became greater. Based on the total land area and the total population of the country, the population density is estimated to be about 797.2 people per square mile.

Ethnic Groups of the Philippines

The largest ethnic group in the country of the Philippines is the Visayan ethnic group. The next largest group is the Tagalog ethnic group. The rest of the population is made up of many minority groups and indigenous populations. The culture and population is a very diverse population made up of different cultures and peoples. The official language of the country is Filipino and English based on the Constitution written in 1987. Filipino is a standardized version of the native languages of the land, especially Tagalog.

Religion in the Philippines

The Republic of the Philippines, because it is a secular country, does not have an official religion due to the separation of church and state. However, the country is predominantly Catholic, making up about 81% of the population. The Catholic and Christian influence of the country comes as a result of the large Spanish influence historically. The other Christian denominations make up only 4.5% of the country. There is also a Muslim population, making up 5% of the total country’s population.

Sports in the Philippines

The most popular sport among the population of the Republic of the Philippines is basketball. There are both amateur and professional leagues for basketball in the country. Similar to the United States, the Philippine Basketball Association is the main organization of basketball. People also enjoy to wakeboard, play beach volleyball, and mountain climb.

Food in the Philippines

Food in the Philippines also relies heavily on ingredients used by the islands’ original inhabitants, the Malays, including coconut, hot chilies and mango. Early Chinese colonists introduced pansit noodles and bean curds to the islands, which are still widely served across the Philippines today. Much like their mainland Asian counterparts, Filipinos use rice as a foundation for most dishes. Several different varieties of rice are used in Filipino cooking and often molded into fried cakes and rice noodles, which are widely served in restaurants and roadside stands. Fresh seafood is another staple of Filipino cooking, and both fish and shellfish have long been a mainstay on tables across the nation. Likewise, vegetables are a major part of many recipes, and are generally used more often than meat, which is more expensive. Coconut milk is a natural Filipino ingredient used to cook meat and veggie dishes called guinatan.

Philippines Climate

Because of the geographical location on the planet, the Philippines has a “Tropical Rainforest Climate” all over the country. Though some rainfall can be expected in every month, the rainfall differs greatly through the year. The influence of the southwest monsoon is very clear. In the period December - May there is no monsoon anymore. The wind, the “trade wind”, is coming from the northeast and brings hardly rainfall.

CNN Population in the Philippines

Historical Population of the Philippines

The population of the Republic of the Philippines has historically increased over the last half of a century.  In fact, the population growth rate seemed to increase over the latter end of the 20^th century into the entrance of the 21^st century.

Projected Population of the Philippines

The population of the Republic of the Philippines is projected to continue its trend of sharp increase over the next 37 years.  The birth rates are expected to range from about 24.5 births per 1000 people to about 16 births per 1000 people.  In contrast to this, the death rates are expected to only range from about 5.8 deaths per 1000 people to about 7 deaths per 1000 people.  There is also expected to be a negative net migration rate over these years.

South Korea Population 2013

The current population of the Republic of Korea is about 50.004 million people, which is an approximate 0.45% increase from the population taken in the last census. This population is over double its neighbor to the north, the Democratic Republic of Korea, or North Korea. Over the last half a century, the country’s population has continuously been growing. Based on the total land area and the total population, the population density of the country is about 1,271 people per square mile.

South Korea Population Projection

Based on the birth, death, and migration rates of the country, the Republic of Korea is expected to reach approximately 50.22 million people by the year 2020, which is an approximate 0.43% increase from the current population of the country. Then, as the birth rates stay fairly steady, but the death rates rise, the population will continue to increase, but at a slower rate. By 2025, the population will reach 50.55 million people, which is a 1.1% increase from the current population. Then, as the death rates continue to rise, the population will only reach about 50.56 million people by the year 2030, which is an increase of only about 1.11% from the current population. Then, by 2035, the birth rates will have sunk below the death rates as the population decreases to 50.129 million people, which is only an increase of about 0.25% from the current population. Then, by 2040, the population will have sunk below the current population of the state. The population will reach about 49.15 million people, which is a 1.7% decrease from the current population. The death rates seem to be continuing to increase as time goes on as well.

South Korea Demographics

For the most part, the majority of the population of the Republic of Korea is considered to be ethnically South Korean. For a while, the population had been almost solely Korean. However, over the past decade or so, more foreign immigrants have begun to settle. About 0.2% of the population is from the United States, while almost 1% of the population is from China. Also, an increasing amount of United States military personnel and their families are living in the country now.

Religion in South Korea

A little over 65% of the population of the Republic of Korea is members of an organized religion. The largest organized religion group in the country is Christianity. For awhile, up until the 1990s, Buddhism was the leading religion in the country. However, now about 32% of the population identifies as a part of a Christian Church. Compared to this number, about 23% of the population identifies as part of Buddhism. The rest of the religious population is made up of those that practice Islam or the Bahai faith. Some people still practice native religions Shamanism and Chondogyo. Shamanism is a faith solely based on connecting with nature and its creation. It is a very spiritual faith with a large emphasis on healing traditions. Chondogyo is a native religion of the country. One of its main doctrines is the concept of “innaceheon”. This term means that everyone is equally important to each other person. Basically, everyone in the world is equal in the eyes of God, and therefore in reality. Regardless of the religion, however, the freedom to express whatever religion is guaranteed by the constitution along with no declared state religion.

Air Pollution in South Korea

Due to the severe air pollution and smog in Japan, China, and South Korea, the three countries have a yearly meeting to discuss how to prevent the spreading of such air pollution across the borders of each other’s countries. The three countries have been meeting since 1999 concerning these issues. The Environment Minister of the Republic of Korea is Yoon Seong-Kyu.

Aerospace Activity in South Korea

Since 1992, the Republic of Korea has launched 10 satellites to space using foreign rockets and launch pads from overseas. However, in 2008, the country achieved its first member to fly in space. Yi So-yeon flew in space while on the Russian aircraft, Soyuz TMA-12. The Naro Space Center, the country’s first spaceport, was completed in 2009, and its first successful launch was of January of 2013. The next expected launch will be in the year 2018.

South Korea Population Surpasses 50 Million

Saudi Arabia Population 2013

The current population in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is estimated to be about 29.196 million people, which is an increase of about 4% from the last census taken in the country. The Saudi Arabian population has been consistently greater than the population of the United Arab Emirates, but less than the Iraq population. Based on the total land area and the total population of the country, the population density of Saudi Arabia is about 31 people per square mile.

Saudi Arabia Population Projections

Based on the high birth and low death rates in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the population is expected to grow to over 30 million to 30.39 million by the year 2025, which would be an increase of about 4.1% from the current population. Then, by 2020, the population should reach 33.09 million people, which is a 13.3% increase from the current population of the country. By 2025, the population should reach about 35.5 million people, which would be an increase of about 21.5% from the current population. Continuing this large population growth in 2030, the population will reach about 37.6 million people, increasing by about 28.8% from the current population of the country. Then, in 2035, the population will reach 39.46 million people, an increase of about 35.2% from the current population of the country. Lastly, the population will top 40 million people by 2040, reaching about 41.04 million people, which is a total percent increase of 40.6% over the next 27 years.

Saudi Arabia Demographics

The ethnic make up of the country is fairly simple: 90% Arab and 10% Afro-Arab. Afro-Arab is defined as someone of mixed African and Arab ancestral descent. However, foreign nationals living in the country represent about 31% of the country. The top three foreign countries with representatives are India, Pakistan, and Egypt. There used to be a lot more Yemenis in the country before 1990 and 1991. However, about 800,000 Yemenis were expelled from the country. Also, Palestinians cannot be granted citizenship due to the Arab League.

Religion in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is a country where the freedom of religion is not protected underneath the law. In fact, everyone is expected to follow and practice the Hanbali interpretation of Shari’ah law. There is only a small population of Shi’a Muslims in the country in the southern provinces. Even though there is still a minority of Shi’a Muslims, their right to practice their Shi’a Islam is not protected by government. However, King Abdullah has been attempting to bring forth religious pluralism, but has not made too many drastic policy changes to make any substantial difference.

Saudi Arabian Government

The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a monarchy based on the religion Islam. The King of the country appoints a Crown Prince, who becomes the next in line to the throne. The King also is granted a Council of Ministers, which is made up of 22 ministries, similar to the United States Cabinet. Also, the Consultative Council is the legislative body of the country. Lastly, the judicial system is based on Shari’ah law since the official religion of the country is Islam. The King is also in charge of this judicial system.

Sports in Saudi Arabia

The most popular sport in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is soccer. Citizens of the country of all ages play soccer, including some playing in a professional league. The championship tournament of this league is known as the King’s Cup. Saudi Arabians also enjoy playing volleyball, basketball, swimming, and gymnastics. Lastly, golf is a very popular sport and has many golf courses that are popular around the world.

Health Care in Saudi Arabia

There is free health care provided to the general public by the Saudi Arabian health care network. The Ministry of Health, establishing the extensive health care network throughout the country, has accomplished most of this work. The government also provides subsidies to patient in order to receive cheaper and more affordable medications.

Saudi Arabia Demographic Challenges