Final answer:
The fourth largest nation in the world by population is Indonesia, with over 258 million people. Most of the population lives on Java, the most populous island globally. Population trends show significant growth in developing countries, with Asia leading the way.
Step-by-step explanation:
The fourth largest nation in the world by population, with over 258 million people, is Indonesia. In 2017, Indonesia was home to more than 260 million individuals, making it fourth after China, India, and the United States in terms of population size. While it's significant on a global scale for its population, it's also notable for having the largest number of Muslims of any country worldwide.
When looking at the broader context, global population trends show immense growth predominantly in developing countries. Asia, especially China and India, has the most significant numbers, while countries like Nigeria are rapidly growing and changing the global population landscape. Understanding the distribution and the rate of growth of the world's population is crucial for addressing future resource needs and planning for sustainable development.