So as you may all have noticed, almost all nations in the game have almost the same population, that is approximately 99 million. That is because all but two nations (Vorona and Keymon) have their population capped at below 100 million. There is some random variation every now and then, but the population never exceeds the population cap. Numerous players over the years have found this to be unrealistic and there have been suggestions to modify the population cap, but none of those was accepted until now, partially because there was no universally-agreed criterion for determining population differences.
But recently the Moderation team has decided to restart a consultation on this topic. We spoke to Wouter and he let us know that it is possible to change the population cap and implement different caps for each nation. So we came up with a number of criteria that we could use to fairly and consistently determine what the different population caps should be. Our methodology was as follows: first, for each nation we determined the Real-Life countries or territories that best match the In-Game Nation's climate, using the wikia and other sources of information for the nation's climate. Next we obtained information on the climate and population densities of all RL nations and territories, from a variety of online sources; in the case of large countries we tried to obtain that information for various sub-regions (like European Russia, Southern United States, Northeast China). We then used the combined population density of up to three RL territories and countries, selected based on plausible similarity in climate and other geographic features, to compute the population of the PT nation (given that we know the area). After that we added a 15% bonus for the top-ranking economies according to the Economic Rankings. And lastly but most importantly, we requested feedback from the Global Role-Play Committee, who reviewed the numbers and provided their own suggestions and alteration. During this last step the numbers were altered to take into account RP, past history, plausibility, and balance. Since our initial criterion was strictly based on climate, which on its own does not explain population densities, the numbers required some significant adjustments in several nations, to account for things like a history of immigration, high levels of urbanization, serving as either a source or a destination for refugees, economic growth or economic decline, genocides, dictatorships, or wars, and the amount and quality of RP.
The final numbers have been updated in this sheet, specifically in the first tab. The list of RL nations and territories which were used to calculate the new population densities is in the third tab. There are some pivot tables and a graph in the second tab to make it easier to visualize the data.
The actual numbers we suggest are below:
Indrala: 306,174,641
Malivia: 203,397,251
Hulstria: 174,964,697
Istalia: 146,694,525
Talmoria: 139,431,327
Dorvik: 133,203,018
Aldegar: 130,495,554
Dundorf: 124,321,515
Valruzia: 124,201,950
Trigunia: 121,536,015
Luthori: 121,292,100
New Endralon: 119,736,352
Hawu Mumenhes: 116,361,591
Lourenne: 109,156,419
Baltusia: 102,195,322
Rutania: 100,712,651
Vanuku: 100,459,068
Tukarali: 99,086,778
Mordusia: 94,744,518
Selucia: 93,580,142
Sekowo: 88,501,606
Lodamun: 86,761,485
Beluzia: 85,343,517
Zardugal: 81,140,960
Deltaria: 79,371,977
Kalistan: 74,254,423
Narikaton: 71,494,345
Endralon: 69,452,571
Hutori: 65,815,242
Pontesi: 59,936,717
Kanjor: 56,997,456
Likatonia: 54,919,695
Kazulia: 54,522,933
Hobrazia: 52,213,117
Jakania: 50,993,654
Barmenistan: 50,976,332
Cildania: 48,025,825
Kundrati: 46,186,284
Gaduridos: 43,601,839
Kalopia: 43,583,317
Beiteynu: 41,289,613
Egelion: 40,890,141
Cobura: 40,217,509
Saridan: 39,200,195
Solentia: 38,447,848
Badara: 36,176,257
Dolgava: 35,262,248
Alduria: 28,345,365
Rildanor: 26,997,456
Aloria: 23,784,559
Kafuristan: 23,257,903
Telamon: 21,351,904
Jelbania: 18,409,031
Klavia Okeano: 17,731,494
Kirlawa: 15,745,551
Dankuk: 13,938,931
Vorona: 13,910,152
Davostan: 13,207,205
So we are eagerly waiting for your suggestions and/or criticisms. If there is a consensus for changing the population caps, with these numbers or some modified version of them, we will then ask Wouter to implement the new numbers.
We will leave this consultation open for two weeks, so until the 15th of June 2018.