The world, drawn as it was the year they were born
Pick any year from 1950 to 2026. Every country is redrawn at the size of its population that year, so the map you get is genuinely different from the one you’d get for any other year. Printed to order, or downloaded instantly.
Choose a year — from £24.99 Instant download — £5.99Gifts → Personalised year poster
Most personalised gifts just print a name on something. This one changes shape. A poster for 1974 looks materially different from one for 2004, because the world’s population moved — China and India dominate the older maps, Africa takes up progressively more room in the newer ones. The person receiving it can see their own lifetime in the difference.
The data is the UN’s World Population Prospects (2024 revision), and the source is printed on the poster.
How it works
Pick the year
Anything from 1950 to 2026 — a birth year, a wedding year, the year they moved, the year they graduated.
Pick light or dark
Light is editorial and suits a bright room. Dark is the one people frame in an office. You preview the exact design before buying.
Pick a size, or print it yourself
Three printed sizes, made to order on premium matte paper. Or take the instant download to your own printer.
Sizes and prices
| Format | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Instant download | Print-ready, four ratios | £5.99 |
| Printed matte poster | 12″ × 16″ | £24.99 |
| Printed matte poster | 18″ × 24″ — recommended | £29.99 |
| Printed matte poster | 24″ × 36″ | £49.99 |
It’s a detailed map, so bigger genuinely is better — at 12″ × 16″ the smaller countries get tight. If you’re framing it as the main thing on a wall, go 18″ × 24″ or larger.
Which occasions it actually suits
Leaving it late?
The £5.99 download arrives the moment you pay — link on the confirmation screen and in your email. Print it at home, or send the file. Printed posters are made to order and posted, so give those a proper run-up.
Questions people ask
Can I see the exact year before I buy?
Yes. Choosing the year and theme updates the preview on the product page, so you see the actual design rather than a generic mock-up.
Why does the map look distorted?
Because it isn’t a geographic map — each country is drawn at a size proportional to its population, not its land area. That’s what makes the year matter.
Does it come framed?
No, it ships rolled and unframed. All three sizes are standard, so shop-bought frames fit without custom mounting.
Where does the data come from?
The UN’s World Population Prospects, 2024 revision. The source and year are printed on the poster.
What if I want a year before 1950?
The UN series doesn’t go back further on a consistent basis, so 1950 is the earliest we’ll print. If you need something bespoke, ask for a custom visualisation.
Pick a year
1950 to 2026, light or dark, printed or instant. Preview the exact design before you buy.
Printed — from £24.99 Download — £5.99More ideas: the full gift guide · the whole shop · the articles behind the charts