Share of population living in rural areas in Western Sahara
Western Sahara: Share of population living in rural areas was 9.9% in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Share of population living in rural areas in Western Sahara, 1950–2020
Source: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of population living in rural areas in Western Sahara is 9.9%, measured in 2020.
That represents a change of down 13.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in rural areas in Western Sahara peaked at 100.0% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 8.8%, in 2015.
Western Sahara ranks 206th of 236 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of population living in rural areas in Western Sahara, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 100.0% | — |
| 1955 | 64.3% | -35.7% |
| 1960 | 60.3% | -6.2% |
| 1965 | 56.0% | -7.1% |
| 1970 | 51.9% | -7.4% |
| 1975 | 48.4% | -6.8% |
| 1980 | 35.0% | -27.6% |
| 1985 | 25.0% | -28.7% |
| 1990 | 14.7% | -41.2% |
| 1995 | 14.0% | -4.4% |
| 2000 | 13.3% | -5.4% |
| 2005 | 12.1% | -8.5% |
| 2010 | 11.5% | -5.5% |
| 2015 | 8.8% | -23.3% |
| 2020 | 9.9% | +12.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 82.1% | 64.3% | 100.0% | 2 |
| 1960s | 58.2% | 56.0% | 60.3% | 2 |
| 1970s | 50.1% | 48.4% | 51.9% | 2 |
| 1980s | 30.0% | 25.0% | 35.0% | 2 |
| 1990s | 14.4% | 14.0% | 14.7% | 2 |
| 2000s | 12.7% | 12.1% | 13.3% | 2 |
| 2010s | 10.1% | 8.8% | 11.5% | 2 |
| 2020s | 9.9% | 9.9% | 9.9% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Western Sahara
- 203 Saint Martin (French part) 10.3% compare
- 204 Djibouti 10.1% compare
- 205 Republic of Korea 9.9% compare
- 207 United Arab Emirates 9.7% compare
- 208 Jersey 9.2% compare
- 209 Mauritius 9.1% compare
More population data for Western Sahara
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.351 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.4967 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.1005 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.1005 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.3345 % change on previous year (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 41,447 people (2100)
- World population growth -0.1% (2100)
- Population density 3.13 people per km² (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.1% (2100)
- Population aged 25-64 years (thousands), annual growth rate 1.63 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in rural areas in Western Sahara?
- Share of population living in rural areas in Western Sahara was 9.9% in 2020, according to European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in rural areas recorded in Western Sahara?
- The highest recorded value was 100.0% in 1950.
- What is the lowest share of population living in rural areas recorded in Western Sahara?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.8% in 2015.
- How does Western Sahara rank for share of population living in rural areas?
- Western Sahara ranks 206th out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of population living in rural areas rising or falling in Western Sahara?
- Over the last ten years it is down 13.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Western Sahara data come from?
- The figures come from European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population living in rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated share of the population living in rural areas. Rural areas are identified using satellite imagery and population data, applying the same definitions across countries.