Investigating the controversial phenomenon
Population density is the number of people per unit of area. According to Our World in Data, the global average is 62 people per km² (0.38 mi²), but this varies by region. Islands often have higher population densities relative to their geographic size.
From Sardinia to Honshu, this gallery covers the most densely populated islands on the planet (excluding those with minimal land areas). Curious to know which one takes the top spot? Then click on!
Italy's Sardinia has a population density of 68 people per km² (0.38 mi²), with a land area of 24,090 km² (9301 mi²).
Bangka in Indonesia has a population density of 70 people per km² (0.38 mi²), with a land area of 16,424km² (6341 mi²).
Greece's Crete has a land area of 8,336 km² (3,218 mi²), though approximately one-third of the island is arable land (good for growing crops). Crete has a population density of 76 people per km² (0.38 mi²).
Ireland is situated on the westernmost edge of Europe. The island has a population density of 73 people per km² (0.38 mi²), and a land area of 24,090 km² (9301 mi²).
The Indonesian island Sumbawa has a population density of 91 per km² (0.38 mi²), and a land area of 15,415 km² (5951 mi²).
Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean, with a land area of 9,240 km² (3,567 mi².) It has a population density of 92 per km² (0.38 mi²).
Sulawesi in Indonesia is renowned for its diving locations. It has a land area of 186,216 km² (71,898 mi²) and a population density of 96 per km² (0.38 mi²).
Cuba has a population density of 105 people per km² (0.38 mi²) and a land area of 105,440 km² (40,710 mi²).
Indonesia's Sumatra, with its orangutan-filled jungles and steaming volcanoes, has a land area of 473,481 km² (18,281 mi²) with 106 people per km² (0.38 mi²).
Mindoro in the Philippines has a population density of 126 people per km² (0.38 mi²) and a land area of 10,572 km² (4081 mi²).
Samar is the third-largest island in the Philippines, with a land area of 13,429 km² (5,184 mi²) and a population density of 130 per km² (0.38 mi²).
Flores island in Indonesia has a population density of 135 per km² (0.38 mi²) and a land area of 13,540 km² (5,227 mi²).
Italy's Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean, with a land area of 25,711 km² (9,927 mi²) and a population density of 197 per km² (0.38 mi²).
Shikoku is the smallest of Japan's islands, with a land area of 18,800 km² (7,258 mi²). But it has a population density of 205 per km² (0.38 mi²).
China's Hainan is an island province with a population density of 256 per km² (0.38 mi²) and a land area of 33,920 km² (13,096 mi²).
Mindanao is the second-largest island in the Philippines, with a land area of 33,920 km² (13,096 mi²) and a population density of 262 per km² (0.38 mi²).
The island country of Jamaica has a population density of 262 per km² (0.38 mi²) and a land area of 10,992 km² (4,244 mi²).
Hispaniola, home to the nations of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, has a population density of 281 per km² and a land area of 76,192 km² (29,417 mi²).
Great Britain is the largest European island, with a land area of 209,331 km² (80,823 mi²). It has a population density of 316 per km² (0.38 mi²).
Sri Lanka is an island country in South Asia with a land area of 65,610 km² (25,332 mi²) and a population density of 327 per km² (0.38 mi²).
Negros is the fourth-largest and third-most populous island in the Philippines. It has a land area of 13,310 km² (5,139 mi²) and a population density of 332 per km² (0.38 mi²).
Vibrant Puerto Rico has a population density of 351 per km² (0.38 mi²) and a land area of 9,104 km² (3,515 mi²).
Kyushu is Japan's third-largest island, with a land area of 36,753 km² (14,190 mi²). It has a population density of 353 per km² (0.38 mi²).
Panay, located in the central region of the Philippines, has a land area of 12,011 km² (4,637 mi²) and a population density of 373 per km² (0.38 mi²).
Honshu is Japan's largest island. It has a land area of 227,960 km² (88,015 mi²) and a population density of 456 people per km² (0.38 mi²).
Luzon is the Philippines' largest and most populous island. It has a land area of 109,965 km² (42,457 mi²) and a population density of 485 people per km² (0.38 mi²).
Zealand is Denmark's largest and most populous island. Zealand has a population density of 533 per km² (0.38 mi²) and a land area of 7,031 km² (2,714 mi²).
Taiwan has a land area of 36,193 km² (13,974 mi²) and a population density of 651 people per km² (0.38 mi²).
Indonesia's Bali is the second most densely populated island in the world, with a population density of 731 per km² and a land area of 138,793 km² (53,588 mi²).
The most densely populated island in the world is Java in Indonesia. It has a land area of 138,793 km² (53,588 mi²) and 1,016 people per km² (0.38 mi²).
Sources: (Yahoo Finance) (Insider Monkey)
See also:Exploring the world's tallest islands: A height-based ranking
These are the most densely populated islands in the world
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Population density is the number of people per unit of area. According to Our World in Data, the global average is 62 people per km² (0.38 mi²), but this varies by region. Islands often have higher population densities relative to their geographic size.
From Sardinia to Honshu, this gallery covers the most densely populated islands on the planet (excluding those with minimal land areas). Curious to know which one takes the top spot? Then click on!