Population · Africa
Western Sahara population 2026
Right now · estimate
Western Sahara population right now
614,085
- Births today
- 0
- Deaths today
- 0
- Births this year
- 7,559
- Births minus deaths this year
- +4,177
Western Sahara has an estimated 610,813 people on 1 July 2026, the UN's projection, 9,909 more than a year earlier (+1.65%). It is the 172nd most populous country in the world. It is projected to keep growing until 2089, peaking at 837 thousand, then decline to 831 thousand by 2100.
UN projection The counter interpolates the UN’s 1 July figures to the second; it is an estimate, not a count.
Western Sahara in numbers, 2026
- Births in 2026
- 9 thousand 25 a day
- Deaths in 2026
- 4 thousand 11 a day
- Net migration
- +5 thousand more arrivals than departures
- Growth rate
- +1.58% growing
- Fertility rate
- 2.13per woman above replacement (2.1)
- Median age
- 32.8years world: 31.1
- Life expectancy
- 72.0years
- Aged 65 and over
- 7.0% 15.5% by 2050
Land, people and health
- Capital
- El-Aaiun
- Area
- 266,000 km² 77th largest of 237
- Population density
- 2per km² 235th most crowded
- Urban population
- 87.0% 89.8% by 2050
- Men and women
- 336 thousand / 275 thousand 122.0 men per 100 women
- Life expectancy, women
- 74.2years men: 70.2 years
- Infant mortality
- 21.2per 1,000 births under-5: 25.2
- Birth rate
- 14.7per 1,000 death rate: 6.6
- Net migration rate
- +7.7per 1,000 net arrivals
Population of Western Sahara, 1950–2100
Projected peak: 2089, 837 thousand. By 2050: 777 thousand (+27.3% from today).
- UN estimate
- UN projection
831k 2026
› Show the numbers as a table
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 12,960 |
| 1951 | 14,204 |
| 1952 | 15,534 |
| 1953 | 16,968 |
| 1954 | 18,534 |
| 1955 | 20,208 |
| 1956 | 22,003 |
| 1957 | 23,901 |
| 1958 | 25,916 |
| 1959 | 28,062 |
| 1960 | 30,328 |
| 1961 | 32,725 |
| 1962 | 35,253 |
| 1963 | 37,896 |
| 1964 | 40,658 |
| 1965 | 43,532 |
| 1966 | 46,521 |
| 1967 | 50,624 |
| 1968 | 55,984 |
| 1969 | 61,644 |
| 1970 | 71,728 |
| 1971 | 78,720 |
| 1972 | 78,250 |
| 1973 | 77,646 |
| 1974 | 76,478 |
| 1975 | 66,890 |
| 1976 | 64,489 |
| 1977 | 77,388 |
| 1978 | 90,890 |
| 1979 | 104,982 |
| 1980 | 117,374 |
| 1981 | 126,896 |
| 1982 | 134,481 |
| 1983 | 140,584 |
| 1984 | 146,150 |
| 1985 | 151,760 |
| 1986 | 157,364 |
| 1987 | 162,878 |
| 1988 | 168,408 |
| 1989 | 173,923 |
| 1990 | 179,544 |
| 1991 | 185,300 |
| 1992 | 190,938 |
| 1993 | 196,474 |
| 1994 | 201,918 |
| 1995 | 209,924 |
| 1996 | 221,387 |
| 1997 | 233,773 |
| 1998 | 246,304 |
| 1999 | 258,969 |
| 2000 | 271,943 |
| 2001 | 285,188 |
| 2002 | 298,464 |
| 2003 | 311,784 |
| 2004 | 325,190 |
| 2005 | 338,699 |
| 2006 | 352,647 |
| 2007 | 366,861 |
| 2008 | 380,822 |
| 2009 | 394,957 |
| 2010 | 409,716 |
| 2011 | 425,087 |
| 2012 | 441,031 |
| 2013 | 457,424 |
| 2014 | 472,579 |
| 2015 | 486,222 |
| 2016 | 499,651 |
| 2017 | 512,843 |
| 2018 | 525,782 |
| 2019 | 538,440 |
| 2020 | 549,365 |
| 2021 | 558,619 |
| 2022 | 568,738 |
| 2023 | 579,729 |
| 2024 * | 590,506 |
| 2025 * | 600,904 |
| 2026 * | 610,813 |
| 2027 * | 620,332 |
| 2028 * | 629,584 |
| 2029 * | 638,580 |
| 2030 * | 647,480 |
| 2031 * | 656,174 |
| 2032 * | 664,596 |
| 2033 * | 672,820 |
| 2034 * | 680,600 |
| 2035 * | 688,152 |
| 2036 * | 695,574 |
| 2037 * | 702,654 |
| 2038 * | 709,524 |
| 2039 * | 716,268 |
| 2040 * | 722,864 |
| 2041 * | 729,396 |
| 2042 * | 735,831 |
| 2043 * | 741,990 |
| 2044 * | 747,826 |
| 2045 * | 753,418 |
| 2046 * | 758,703 |
| 2047 * | 763,688 |
| 2048 * | 768,305 |
| 2049 * | 772,793 |
| 2050 * | 777,316 |
| 2051 * | 781,596 |
| 2052 * | 785,744 |
| 2053 * | 789,762 |
| 2054 * | 793,557 |
| 2055 * | 797,073 |
| 2056 * | 800,190 |
| 2057 * | 803,064 |
| 2058 * | 805,709 |
| 2059 * | 807,936 |
| 2060 * | 809,954 |
| 2061 * | 812,040 |
| 2062 * | 814,058 |
| 2063 * | 815,834 |
| 2064 * | 817,450 |
| 2065 * | 819,004 |
| 2066 * | 820,374 |
| 2067 * | 821,621 |
| 2068 * | 822,710 |
| 2069 * | 823,484 |
| 2070 * | 824,293 |
| 2071 * | 825,000 |
| 2072 * | 825,601 |
| 2073 * | 826,485 |
| 2074 * | 827,408 |
| 2075 * | 828,239 |
| 2076 * | 829,086 |
| 2077 * | 829,861 |
| 2078 * | 830,795 |
| 2079 * | 831,808 |
| 2080 * | 832,608 |
| 2081 * | 833,329 |
| 2082 * | 834,028 |
| 2083 * | 834,627 |
| 2084 * | 835,065 |
| 2085 * | 835,410 |
| 2086 * | 835,856 |
| 2087 * | 836,247 |
| 2088 * | 836,500 |
| 2089 * | 836,624 |
| 2090 * | 836,544 |
| 2091 * | 836,415 |
| 2092 * | 836,198 |
| 2093 * | 835,810 |
| 2094 * | 835,286 |
| 2095 * | 834,712 |
| 2096 * | 834,183 |
| 2097 * | 833,655 |
| 2098 * | 832,928 |
| 2099 * | 832,124 |
| 2100 * | 831,294 |
* UN projection
Population of Western Sahara by year
272 thousand in 2000, 611 thousand in 2026. Every year for the last decade, then every five years to 1950. * UN projection; earlier years are UN estimates.
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Change | Net migrants | Median age | Fertility | Density (km²) | Urban | World share | World rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* | 610,813 | +1.65% | +9,909 | +4,689 | 32.8 | 2.13 | 2 | 87% | 0.01% | 172 |
| 2025* | 600,904 | +1.76% | +10,398 | +5,030 | 32.6 | 2.15 | 2 | 87% | 0.01% | 172 |
| 2024* | 590,506 | +1.86% | +10,777 | +5,358 | 32.3 | 2.18 | 2 | 87% | 0.01% | 172 |
| 2023 | 579,729 | +1.93% | +10,991 | +5,606 | 32.0 | 2.16 | 2 | 87% | 0.01% | 172 |
| 2022 | 568,738 | +1.81% | +10,119 | +5,606 | 31.7 | 2.19 | 2 | 87% | 0.01% | 172 |
| 2021 | 558,619 | +1.68% | +9,254 | +3,496 | 31.3 | 2.22 | 2 | 87% | 0.01% | 172 |
| 2020 | 549,365 | +2.03% | +10,925 | +3,496 | 30.9 | 2.25 | 2 | 87% | 0.01% | 172 |
| 2019 | 538,440 | +2.41% | +12,658 | +6,528 | 30.6 | 2.28 | 2 | 87% | 0.01% | 172 |
| 2018 | 525,782 | +2.52% | +12,939 | +6,695 | 30.2 | 2.32 | 2 | 87% | 0.01% | 172 |
| 2017 | 512,843 | +2.64% | +13,192 | +6,865 | 29.8 | 2.35 | 2 | 87% | 0.01% | 173 |
| 2016 | 499,651 | +2.76% | +13,429 | +7,053 | 29.4 | 2.38 | 2 | 87% | 0.01% | 173 |
| 2015 | 486,222 | +2.89% | +13,643 | +7,235 | 29.0 | 2.42 | 2 | 87% | 0.01% | 173 |
| 2010 | 409,716 | +3.74% | +14,759 | +9,086 | 26.9 | 2.64 | 2 | 86% | 0.01% | 174 |
| 2005 | 338,699 | +4.15% | +13,509 | +8,389 | 24.4 | 2.89 | 1 | 86% | 0.01% | 178 |
| 2000 | 271,943 | +5.01% | +12,974 | +8,439 | 21.8 | 3.49 | 1 | 86% | 0.00% | 180 |
| 1995 | 209,924 | +3.96% | +8,006 | +6,444 | 18.7 | 4.05 | 1 | 86% | 0.00% | 182 |
| 1990 | 179,544 | +3.23% | +5,621 | +1,191 | 18.9 | 4.69 | 1 | 85% | 0.00% | 183 |
| 1985 | 151,760 | +3.84% | +5,610 | +1,191 | 20.6 | 5.36 | 1 | 83% | 0.00% | 186 |
| 1980 | 117,374 | +11.80% | +12,392 | +7,343 | 21.2 | 5.86 | 0 | 77% | 0.00% | 187 |
| 1975 | 66,890 | −12.54% | −9,588 | −18,665 | 16.7 | 6.20 | 0 | 56% | 0.00% | 197 |
| 1970 | 71,728 | +16.36% | +10,084 | +12,426 | 20.3 | 6.37 | 0 | 40% | 0.00% | 193 |
| 1965 | 43,532 | +7.07% | +2,874 | +1,647 | 22.4 | 6.52 | 0 | 34% | 0.00% | 205 |
| 1960 | 30,328 | +8.07% | +2,266 | +1,417 | 22.6 | 6.41 | 0 | 31% | 0.00% | 208 |
| 1955 | 20,208 | +9.03% | +1,674 | +1,191 | 21.6 | 6.19 | 0 | 31% | 0.00% | 211 |
| 1950 | 12,960 | – | – | +962 | 18.3 | 6.01 | 0 | 31% | 0.00% | 215 |
Population forecast for Western Sahara
UN medium-variant projection: 777 thousand in 2050 (+27.3% from 2026), 831 thousand in 2100.
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Net migrants | Median age | Fertility | Density (km²) | Urban | World share | World rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 647,480 | +1.39% | +4,533 | 33.7 | 2.06 | 2 | 88% | 0.01% | 171 |
| 2035 | 688,152 | +1.11% | +3,665 | 34.4 | 1.98 | 3 | 89% | 0.01% | 171 |
| 2040 | 722,864 | +0.92% | +3,056 | 35.0 | 1.92 | 3 | 89% | 0.01% | 169 |
| 2045 | 753,418 | +0.75% | +2,522 | 35.8 | 1.88 | 3 | 90% | 0.01% | 169 |
| 2050 | 777,316 | +0.59% | +2,213 | 36.6 | 1.85 | 3 | 90% | 0.01% | 169 |
| 2060 | 809,954 | +0.25% | +1,617 | 38.2 | 1.80 | 3 | – | 0.01% | 168 |
| 2070 | 824,293 | +0.10% | +1,395 | 39.2 | 1.77 | 3 | – | 0.01% | 169 |
| 2080 | 832,608 | +0.10% | +1,064 | 40.1 | 1.74 | 3 | – | 0.01% | 167 |
| 2090 | 836,544 | −0.01% | +554 | 41.5 | 1.73 | 3 | – | 0.01% | 167 |
| 2100 | 831,294 | −0.10% | +497 | 42.9 | 1.72 | 3 | – | 0.01% | 167 |
Largest cities in Western Sahara
Urban area in 2026: the whole built-up city, measured the same way for every country (UN, 2025). * UN projection. Largest cities in the world
| # | City | Population 2026 | 2050* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dakhla | 164,087 | 196,344 |
| 2 | Smara | 63,279 | 84,284 |
| 3 | Boujdour | 52,124 | 64,533 |
| 4 | El-Aaiun (capital) | 51,315 | 64,098 |
Age structure
Median age 32.8. 7.0% are 65 or older, 15.5% by 2050; 22.7% are under 15.
Share of the total population in each age group (%)
Births per woman
2.13 in 2026; about 2.1 keeps a population stable without migration.
- UN estimate
- UN projection
1.7 2026
› Show the numbers as a table
| Year | Fertility rate |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 6.01 |
| 1951 | 6.05 |
| 1952 | 6.08 |
| 1953 | 6.12 |
| 1954 | 6.15 |
| 1955 | 6.19 |
| 1956 | 6.22 |
| 1957 | 6.24 |
| 1958 | 6.30 |
| 1959 | 6.35 |
| 1960 | 6.41 |
| 1961 | 6.46 |
| 1962 | 6.51 |
| 1963 | 6.52 |
| 1964 | 6.52 |
| 1965 | 6.52 |
| 1966 | 6.53 |
| 1967 | 6.51 |
| 1968 | 6.48 |
| 1969 | 6.43 |
| 1970 | 6.37 |
| 1971 | 6.32 |
| 1972 | 6.29 |
| 1973 | 6.25 |
| 1974 | 6.22 |
| 1975 | 6.20 |
| 1976 | 6.18 |
| 1977 | 6.12 |
| 1978 | 6.06 |
| 1979 | 5.96 |
| 1980 | 5.86 |
| 1981 | 5.71 |
| 1982 | 5.60 |
| 1983 | 5.52 |
| 1984 | 5.44 |
| 1985 | 5.36 |
| 1986 | 5.22 |
| 1987 | 5.08 |
| 1988 | 4.94 |
| 1989 | 4.81 |
| 1990 | 4.69 |
| 1991 | 4.54 |
| 1992 | 4.40 |
| 1993 | 4.27 |
| 1994 | 4.15 |
| 1995 | 4.05 |
| 1996 | 3.94 |
| 1997 | 3.83 |
| 1998 | 3.72 |
| 1999 | 3.61 |
| 2000 | 3.49 |
| 2001 | 3.34 |
| 2002 | 3.19 |
| 2003 | 3.07 |
| 2004 | 2.97 |
| 2005 | 2.89 |
| 2006 | 2.83 |
| 2007 | 2.78 |
| 2008 | 2.72 |
| 2009 | 2.67 |
| 2010 | 2.64 |
| 2011 | 2.59 |
| 2012 | 2.55 |
| 2013 | 2.50 |
| 2014 | 2.46 |
| 2015 | 2.42 |
| 2016 | 2.38 |
| 2017 | 2.35 |
| 2018 | 2.32 |
| 2019 | 2.28 |
| 2020 | 2.25 |
| 2021 | 2.22 |
| 2022 | 2.19 |
| 2023 | 2.16 |
| 2024 * | 2.18 |
| 2025 * | 2.15 |
| 2026 * | 2.13 |
| 2027 * | 2.11 |
| 2028 * | 2.09 |
| 2029 * | 2.07 |
| 2030 * | 2.06 |
| 2031 * | 2.04 |
| 2032 * | 2.03 |
| 2033 * | 2.01 |
| 2034 * | 2.00 |
| 2035 * | 1.98 |
| 2036 * | 1.97 |
| 2037 * | 1.96 |
| 2038 * | 1.94 |
| 2039 * | 1.93 |
| 2040 * | 1.92 |
| 2041 * | 1.91 |
| 2042 * | 1.91 |
| 2043 * | 1.90 |
| 2044 * | 1.89 |
| 2045 * | 1.88 |
| 2046 * | 1.87 |
| 2047 * | 1.87 |
| 2048 * | 1.86 |
| 2049 * | 1.86 |
| 2050 * | 1.85 |
| 2051 * | 1.84 |
| 2052 * | 1.84 |
| 2053 * | 1.84 |
| 2054 * | 1.83 |
| 2055 * | 1.82 |
| 2056 * | 1.82 |
| 2057 * | 1.81 |
| 2058 * | 1.81 |
| 2059 * | 1.80 |
| 2060 * | 1.80 |
| 2061 * | 1.80 |
| 2062 * | 1.79 |
| 2063 * | 1.79 |
| 2064 * | 1.79 |
| 2065 * | 1.78 |
| 2066 * | 1.78 |
| 2067 * | 1.78 |
| 2068 * | 1.77 |
| 2069 * | 1.77 |
| 2070 * | 1.77 |
| 2071 * | 1.77 |
| 2072 * | 1.77 |
| 2073 * | 1.76 |
| 2074 * | 1.76 |
| 2075 * | 1.76 |
| 2076 * | 1.75 |
| 2077 * | 1.75 |
| 2078 * | 1.75 |
| 2079 * | 1.75 |
| 2080 * | 1.74 |
| 2081 * | 1.74 |
| 2082 * | 1.74 |
| 2083 * | 1.74 |
| 2084 * | 1.74 |
| 2085 * | 1.74 |
| 2086 * | 1.73 |
| 2087 * | 1.73 |
| 2088 * | 1.73 |
| 2089 * | 1.73 |
| 2090 * | 1.73 |
| 2091 * | 1.73 |
| 2092 * | 1.72 |
| 2093 * | 1.72 |
| 2094 * | 1.72 |
| 2095 * | 1.72 |
| 2096 * | 1.72 |
| 2097 * | 1.72 |
| 2098 * | 1.72 |
| 2099 * | 1.72 |
| 2100 * | 1.72 |
* UN projection
Births and deaths each year
Deaths are projected to outnumber births from 2064.
- Births
- Deaths
- UN estimate
- UN projection
8.2k9.6k 2026
› Show the numbers as a table
| Year | Births | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 564 | 355 |
| 1951 | 661 | 382 |
| 1952 | 763 | 418 |
| 1953 | 869 | 459 |
| 1954 | 979 | 504 |
| 1955 | 1,093 | 550 |
| 1956 | 1,208 | 597 |
| 1957 | 1,324 | 645 |
| 1958 | 1,453 | 695 |
| 1959 | 1,580 | 746 |
| 1960 | 1,712 | 798 |
| 1961 | 1,843 | 850 |
| 1962 | 1,977 | 903 |
| 1963 | 2,099 | 954 |
| 1964 | 2,217 | 1,004 |
| 1965 | 2,335 | 1,053 |
| 1966 | 2,459 | 1,103 |
| 1967 | 2,574 | 1,151 |
| 1968 | 2,867 | 1,253 |
| 1969 | 3,167 | 1,364 |
| 1970 | 3,460 | 1,473 |
| 1971 | 3,269 | 1,621 |
| 1972 | 3,211 | 1,597 |
| 1973 | 3,172 | 1,544 |
| 1974 | 3,155 | 1,474 |
| 1975 | 3,108 | 1,970 |
| 1976 | 2,426 | 1,491 |
| 1977 | 2,963 | 1,678 |
| 1978 | 4,046 | 1,917 |
| 1979 | 5,083 | 2,621 |
| 1980 | 6,065 | 2,863 |
| 1981 | 6,581 | 2,605 |
| 1982 | 6,871 | 2,661 |
| 1983 | 7,007 | 2,659 |
| 1984 | 7,023 | 2,623 |
| 1985 | 7,017 | 2,579 |
| 1986 | 6,913 | 2,529 |
| 1987 | 6,788 | 2,523 |
| 1988 | 6,651 | 2,226 |
| 1989 | 6,533 | 2,312 |
| 1990 | 6,415 | 1,783 |
| 1991 | 6,257 | 1,760 |
| 1992 | 6,132 | 1,741 |
| 1993 | 6,021 | 1,725 |
| 1994 | 5,931 | 1,713 |
| 1995 | 5,865 | 1,706 |
| 1996 | 6,018 | 1,761 |
| 1997 | 6,225 | 1,830 |
| 1998 | 6,435 | 1,896 |
| 1999 | 6,630 | 1,957 |
| 2000 | 6,799 | 2,017 |
| 2001 | 6,905 | 2,075 |
| 2002 | 6,974 | 2,127 |
| 2003 | 7,094 | 2,180 |
| 2004 | 7,249 | 2,233 |
| 2005 | 7,469 | 2,291 |
| 2006 | 7,704 | 2,353 |
| 2007 | 7,945 | 2,415 |
| 2008 | 8,169 | 2,479 |
| 2009 | 8,374 | 2,533 |
| 2010 | 8,595 | 2,596 |
| 2011 | 8,769 | 2,667 |
| 2012 | 8,966 | 2,747 |
| 2013 | 9,099 | 2,824 |
| 2014 | 9,245 | 2,911 |
| 2015 | 9,287 | 2,985 |
| 2016 | 9,326 | 3,060 |
| 2017 | 9,354 | 3,143 |
| 2018 | 9,340 | 3,232 |
| 2019 | 9,308 | 3,328 |
| 2020 | 9,276 | 3,427 |
| 2021 | 9,161 | 3,497 |
| 2022 | 9,043 | 3,577 |
| 2023 | 8,987 | 3,678 |
| 2024 * | 9,090 | 3,804 |
| 2025 * | 9,032 | 3,914 |
| 2026 * | 9,008 | 4,030 |
| 2027 * | 8,974 | 4,153 |
| 2028 * | 8,948 | 4,282 |
| 2029 * | 8,939 | 4,411 |
| 2030 * | 8,954 | 4,545 |
| 2031 * | 8,989 | 4,682 |
| 2032 * | 9,027 | 4,820 |
| 2033 * | 9,072 | 4,965 |
| 2034 * | 9,129 | 5,107 |
| 2035 * | 9,181 | 5,251 |
| 2036 * | 9,241 | 5,398 |
| 2037 * | 9,298 | 5,543 |
| 2038 * | 9,349 | 5,689 |
| 2039 * | 9,408 | 5,839 |
| 2040 * | 9,469 | 5,986 |
| 2041 * | 9,521 | 6,128 |
| 2042 * | 9,574 | 6,271 |
| 2043 * | 9,619 | 6,411 |
| 2044 * | 9,644 | 6,561 |
| 2045 * | 9,669 | 6,706 |
| 2046 * | 9,675 | 6,851 |
| 2047 * | 9,673 | 6,992 |
| 2048 * | 9,662 | 7,138 |
| 2049 * | 9,643 | 7,287 |
| 2050 * | 9,629 | 7,432 |
| 2051 * | 9,600 | 7,578 |
| 2052 * | 9,579 | 7,729 |
| 2053 * | 9,551 | 7,880 |
| 2054 * | 9,505 | 8,023 |
| 2055 * | 9,469 | 8,171 |
| 2056 * | 9,425 | 8,321 |
| 2057 * | 9,384 | 8,459 |
| 2058 * | 9,353 | 8,593 |
| 2059 * | 9,306 | 8,723 |
| 2060 * | 9,269 | 8,850 |
| 2061 * | 9,261 | 8,970 |
| 2062 * | 9,248 | 9,090 |
| 2063 * | 9,234 | 9,182 |
| 2064 * | 9,219 | 9,271 |
| 2065 * | 9,197 | 9,354 |
| 2066 * | 9,186 | 9,426 |
| 2067 * | 9,170 | 9,484 |
| 2068 * | 9,169 | 9,531 |
| 2069 * | 9,160 | 9,561 |
| 2070 * | 9,152 | 9,585 |
| 2071 * | 9,148 | 9,594 |
| 2072 * | 9,136 | 9,579 |
| 2073 * | 9,120 | 9,574 |
| 2074 * | 9,105 | 9,544 |
| 2075 * | 9,089 | 9,511 |
| 2076 * | 9,067 | 9,475 |
| 2077 * | 9,035 | 9,437 |
| 2078 * | 9,020 | 9,384 |
| 2079 * | 9,006 | 9,346 |
| 2080 * | 8,982 | 9,300 |
| 2081 * | 8,947 | 9,271 |
| 2082 * | 8,918 | 9,234 |
| 2083 * | 8,880 | 9,201 |
| 2084 * | 8,838 | 9,185 |
| 2085 * | 8,792 | 9,178 |
| 2086 * | 8,741 | 9,170 |
| 2087 * | 8,703 | 9,180 |
| 2088 * | 8,650 | 9,189 |
| 2089 * | 8,611 | 9,204 |
| 2090 * | 8,578 | 9,220 |
| 2091 * | 8,533 | 9,251 |
| 2092 * | 8,488 | 9,289 |
| 2093 * | 8,448 | 9,324 |
| 2094 * | 8,406 | 9,369 |
| 2095 * | 8,364 | 9,415 |
| 2096 * | 8,330 | 9,459 |
| 2097 * | 8,309 | 9,503 |
| 2098 * | 8,279 | 9,548 |
| 2099 * | 8,251 | 9,594 |
| 2100 * | 8,224 | 9,632 |
* UN projection
Compare with Africa
| Country | Population 2026 | Growth | Fertility | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Sahara | 611 thousand | +1.58% | 2.13 | 32.8 |
| Nigeria | 242 million | +2.03% | 4.20 | 18.3 |
| Ethiopia | 139 million | +2.48% | 3.72 | 19.3 |
| Egypt | 120 million | +1.44% | 2.68 | 24.7 |
| DR Congo | 116 million | +3.13% | 5.80 | 15.9 |
| Tanzania | 72.6 million | +2.79% | 4.41 | 17.6 |
| South Africa | 65.5 million | +1.05% | 2.17 | 28.9 |
| Kenya | 58.6 million | +1.89% | 3.07 | 20.3 |
| Sudan | 53.3 million | +3.03% | 4.13 | 18.8 |
All 237 countries · Fertility rate by country · Birth rate by country · Median age by country · Life expectancy by country · Population growth rate by country · Population density by country · Largest countries by area · Death rate by country · Infant mortality rate by country · Elderly population by country · Net migration rate by country · Urban population by country · Sex ratio by country
Questions
What is the population of Western Sahara in 2026?
610,813 on 1 July 2026, according to the UN's World Population Prospects 2024 (medium-variant projection). That is 611 thousand people, +1.65% on 2025.
Is Western Sahara's population growing or shrinking?
Growing: 9,909 more people in 2026 than in 2025, with 25 births and 11 deaths a day and net migration of +4,689 a year.
When will Western Sahara's population peak?
In 2089, at about 837 thousand, on the UN's medium projection; 831 thousand by 2100.
What is the fertility rate in Western Sahara?
2.13 births per woman in 2026. A population replaces itself at about 2.1.
How many babies are born in Western Sahara every day?
About 25 a day (9 thousand in 2026), against about 11 deaths a day.
What is the life expectancy in Western Sahara?
72.0 years at birth in 2026: 74.2 for women and 70.2 for men, against a world average of 73.8.
How many men and women live in Western Sahara?
About 336 thousand men and 275 thousand women in 2026, or 122.0 men for every 100 women.
What is the population density of Western Sahara?
2 people per km² of land in 2026, on a total area of 266,000 km². The world average is 64.
What was the population of Western Sahara in 2000?
271,943 (272 thousand), the UN estimate for 1 July 2000. It has grown by 125% since, to 611 thousand in 2026.
What will the population of Western Sahara be in 2050?
About 777 thousand on the UN's medium projection (777,316), +27.3% from 2026; 831 thousand by 2100.
What are the largest cities in Western Sahara?
Dakhla (164 thousand), Smara (63 thousand), Boujdour (52 thousand), El-Aaiun (51 thousand). UN figures for 2026, counting each city’s whole built-up area.
Source and method
United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2024). World Population Prospects 2024, medium variant. Figures for 1950–2023 are UN estimates; later years are the medium-variant projection, which assumes fertility, mortality and migration follow their most likely paths. National statistics offices publish their own counts, which can differ. Reuse under CC BY 3.0 IGO. How we use the data.