Comparisons are difficult in historic terms because the territory of the country varies. Russia grew through the 18th and 19th centuries while Germany was not a state until the latter half of the 19th century, the figures relate to the states that became Germany under Bismark. Inevitably the other states are dwarfed by China although the disparity was far less in the 19th century. France actually declined relative to the other countries due to the Napoleonic Wars.

"The constant effort towards population, which is found even in the most vicious societies, increases the number of people before the means of subsistence are increased." Thomas Malthus