Throughout the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union had relatively similar total populations. The U.S.' population grew from around 205 million to almost 250 million people between 1970 and 1990, while the USSR's population grew from around 240 to 290 million in this time. In these years, the Soviet Union had the third largest population in the world, and the U.S. had the fourth largest (behind China and India respectively). Despite their similar sizes, these populations differed in terms of distribution as the U.S.' population was approximately three quarters urban in this period, whereas the Soviet Union's urban population was just 56 percent in 1970 and 66 percent in 1989. Additionally, the Soviet Union's population was much younger than that of the U.S. due to a higher birth rate and lower life expectancy.
Total population of the United States and the Soviet Union in select years between 1970 and 1990
(in millions)
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US Census Bureau. (August 31, 1991). Total population of the United States and the Soviet Union in select years between 1970 and 1990 (in millions) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved October 31, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1072400/population-us-ussr-cold-war/
US Census Bureau. "Total population of the United States and the Soviet Union in select years between 1970 and 1990 (in millions)." Chart. August 31, 1991. Statista. Accessed October 31, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1072400/population-us-ussr-cold-war/
US Census Bureau. (1991). Total population of the United States and the Soviet Union in select years between 1970 and 1990 (in millions). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: October 31, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1072400/population-us-ussr-cold-war/
US Census Bureau. "Total Population of The United States and The Soviet Union in Select Years between 1970 and 1990 (in Millions)." Statista, Statista Inc., 31 Aug 1991, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1072400/population-us-ussr-cold-war/
US Census Bureau, Total population of the United States and the Soviet Union in select years between 1970 and 1990 (in millions) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1072400/population-us-ussr-cold-war/ (last visited October 31, 2024)
Total population of the United States and the Soviet Union in select years between 1970 and 1990 (in millions) [Graph], US Census Bureau, August 31, 1991. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1072400/population-us-ussr-cold-war/