Final answer:
The question deals with the historical populations of China and other regions, highlighting the significant growth of China's population during the Song and Ming dynasties and their global demographic predominance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Population statistics throughout history reflect economic, social, and technological factors that contribute to the growth or decline of civilizations.
For instance, in the early eleventh century, the first complete Song census in China found a population of around fifty-five million, which surged to 120 million a century later.
This increase mirrored the development and intensification of agriculture, leading to more food supplies and freeing labor for other economic sectors.
Notably, Song China housed multiple cities with populations exceeding one million occupants. In contrast, European populations did not match these figures until later dates.
By the 15th century, during the Ming dynasty, the population increased further to 85 million, reflecting China's vast land area, urban intensification, and military might as noted by Professor Craig Clunas.
The Ming Empire's population was significant compared to other empires of the time, such as the Ottoman and Inca empires. Even in 1500, China continued to maintain a world-leading population of approximately 125 million,
With the continent of Asia dominating world demographics. Southeast Asia, incorporated into this Asian demographic dominance, has a population exceeding 600 million people.