Humans are popular when its the variant human - free feat at level 1, more skill(s) (points), +1 each stat.
We don't have that in BG3.
Actually in EA wasn't human the popular race, and Larian put out a post saying most players are boring with racial selection? The reason for the stat change was to equalize the races so players would also play the others.
Half Elves / High Elves are popular for the extra cantrip. Drow are popular for the superior darkvision and faerie fire clickie. The darkness one is rather meh.
If you gave humans a free feat at level 1, two stats +2 instead of +2, +1, and 2 extra skill proficiencies, they would become the most popular race again.
