Population in Western Sahara
Western Sahara: Population was 579,734 people in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Population in Western Sahara, 1950–2023
Source: UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
The most recent figure for population in Western Sahara is 579,734 people, measured in 2023. That is the highest value across all 74 years on record.
The figure is up 1.9% on the previous year and up 26.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population in Western Sahara peaked at 579,734 people in 2023 and was at its lowest, 12,981 people, in 1950.
That places Western Sahara 171st out of 236 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 19,850 people | 12,981 people | 28,084 people | 10 |
| 1960s | 43,536 people | 30,344 people | 61,663 people | 10 |
| 1970s | 78,764 people | 64,509 people | 104,999 people | 10 |
| 1980s | 147,995 people | 117,389 people | 173,937 people | 10 |
| 1990s | 212,465 people | 179,553 people | 258,979 people | 10 |
| 2000s | 332,663 people | 271,946 people | 394,959 people | 10 |
| 2010s | 476,886 people | 409,722 people | 538,450 people | 10 |
| 2020s | 564,120 people | 549,374 people | 579,734 people | 4 |
Countries ranked near Western Sahara
- 168 Luxembourg 665,101 people compare
- 169 Montenegro 633,553 people compare
- 170 Suriname 628,892 people compare
- 172 Malta 532,964 people compare
- 173 Maldives 526,009 people compare
- 174 Cape Verde 522,335 people compare
More population data for Western Sahara
- Number of children under 5, by world region 41,447 people (2100)
- World population growth -0.1% (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.1% (2100)
- Population density 3.13 people per km² (2100)
- Birth rate by women's age group 31.23 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 (2023)
- Natural population growth rate vs. median age 0.9% (2023)
- Comparison of fertility rates that account for survival of children 2.16 live births per woman (2023)
- Fertility rate accounting for survival until childbearing age 2.08 children per women (2023)
- Fertility rate: births per woman 2.16 live births per woman (2023)
- Fertility rate vs. GDP per capita 2.16 live births per woman (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population in Western Sahara?
- Population in Western Sahara was 579,734 people in 2023, according to UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest population recorded in Western Sahara?
- The highest recorded value was 579,734 people in 2023.
- What is the lowest population recorded in Western Sahara?
- The lowest recorded value was 12,981 people in 1950.
- How does Western Sahara rank for population?
- Western Sahara ranks 171st out of 236 countries with data for 2023.
- Is population rising or falling in Western Sahara?
- Over the last ten years it is up 26.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Western Sahara data come from?
- The figures come from UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 74 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
The total population, measured on 1 July of the year shown.