Human Population from the Beginning of Time

While it is impossible to record a specific number of humans that have lived on the planet, with the help of AI assistance, using the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) as a starting point, a universal population number was obtained. 

4000 B.C. → 1 A.D. Slow growth, small populations; Total humans born: 5–10 billion

1 A.D. → 1800 A.D. Gradual rise to 1 billion; Total humans born: 40–50 billion

1800 A.D. → 2026 A.D. Population explosion; Total humans born: 60–70 billion

The final count for the past 6,000+ years, according to Judaism and Christianity, is between 105-130 billion. The Islamic timeline is a little different with the final count being 110-140 billion, but still close enough to the range number of the Jews and Christians.

In Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism (Dharmic religions) it is almost impossible to get a correct number of their populations, because there is no historic man to base a precise count on. The universe is considered cyclical and eternal, unlike the Abrahamic religions who believe the world was created with linear cycles. 

In Buddhism, humankind is reborn across countless lifetimes. In Hinduism, humanity arises in repeating yugas (recurring cosmic ages). In Jainism, there is only an infinite past. These three religions share the same theory that the universe has no beginning and that time is cyclical, not linear. So, from this perspective, it is like comparing the number of humans that have lived to the number of waves upon the ocean since the beginning of time! In this respect, according to the Dharmic religions the planet is "beginningless and endless, with humans arising and passing away without discoverable origin."

However, the following chart gives an estimate.

Judaism - 6,000 years > Adam & Eve (first humans) > Linear, created > 105-130 billion

Christianity - 6,000 years > Adam & Eve > Linear, created > same count as Judaism

Islam - 6,000 - 7,000 years > Adam & Hawwa > Linear, created > 110-140 billion

Buddhism - Millions of years > Infinite past > Cyclical, eternal > 120 billion

Hinduism - Billions of years > Infinite past >  Cyclical, eternal > 110-140 billion

Jainism - Millions of years > Infinite past > Cyclical, eternal > Not countable

Secular Science - 300,000 years > Homo sapiens evolve gradually > 110-140 billion

The Philosophical Differences (the part most people miss) 

Abrahamic traditions: Humanity is a story with a beginning and an end. This makes counting possible.

Buddhism: Humanity is a chapter in a book that rewrites itself forever. Each cycle has humans, but cycles are infinite.

Hinduism: Humanity is a wave in an endless ocean. Counting is impossible because there is no first wave.

Jainism: Souls are eternal and have always existed. Counting humans is like counting the number of times a soul has breathed.

Secular science: Humanity is a biological species with a measurable origin. Counting is possible because the timeline is finite.

The Surprising Convergence

Even though the cosmologies differ wildly, the number of humans in the current world‑cycle ends up roughly the same. ≈ 120 billion.

While the ancient populations were tiny, the modern population exploded. 70% of all humans who ever lived were born after 1700. 40% were born after 1900. So, in this context, the shape of population growth dominates the total, regardless of worldview.

However, those of indigenous religions, such as the native American Indians, African tribes and European ethnic groups, such as the Sami people of Scandinavia, generally do not share a specific, numerical count of how many humans have existed. 

Then there are about 450-500 million people in the world today that identifies as atheist or agnostic. And the total number of religiously unaffiliated people reached roughly 1.9 billion in 2020. Beyond that, there are no records of how many atheists or agnostics have lived since the beginning of time. 

The waves of the ocean continue to increase, and no final tally of humankind throughout the millenniums are available. No exact count. But what we have learned is there have been at least 922 billion people who have lived in the world these past 6,000 years, excluding the uncountable indigenous people. Meaning, it is very possible that the total number of humans that have lived on the Earth could easily surpass one trillion people!

The biblical Book of Life, the Creator's record of individuals destined for heaven, acts as the final registry for entrance into the New Jerusalem. And with so many people registered in this Book, it has to be the largest and longest book in the universe!