Total population (thousands), annual growth rate in Western Sahara
Western Sahara: Total population (thousands), annual growth rate was 1.82 % change on previous year in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Total population (thousands), annual growth rate in Western Sahara, 1971–2025
Source: Statizoid (derived). Measured in % change on previous year.
Analysis
The most recent figure for total population (thousands), annual growth rate in Western Sahara is 1.82 % change on previous year, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of down 4.2% on the previous year and down 38.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total population (thousands), annual growth rate in Western Sahara peaked at 22.34 % change on previous year in 1971 and was at its lowest, -23.17 % change on previous year, in 1976.
Western Sahara ranks 61st of 233 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Total population (thousands), annual growth rate in Western Sahara, year by year
| Year | % change on previous year | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 22.34 % change on previous year | — |
| 1972 | -0.5435 % change on previous year | -102.4% |
| 1973 | -0.6535 % change on previous year | +20.2% |
| 1974 | -0.8898 % change on previous year | +36.2% |
| 1975 | -2.13 % change on previous year | +138.9% |
| 1976 | -23.17 % change on previous year | +990.3% |
| 1977 | 21.91 % change on previous year | -194.5% |
| 1978 | 18.44 % change on previous year | -15.8% |
| 1979 | 16.61 % change on previous year | -9.9% |
| 1980 | 14.56 % change on previous year | -12.3% |
| 1981 | 9.4 % change on previous year | -35.4% |
| 1982 | 6.93 % change on previous year | -26.3% |
| 1983 | 5.08 % change on previous year | -26.7% |
| 1984 | 4.02 % change on previous year | -21.0% |
| 1985 | 3.9 % change on previous year | -2.9% |
| 1986 | 3.78 % change on previous year | -3.2% |
| 1987 | 3.61 % change on previous year | -4.4% |
| 1988 | 3.4 % change on previous year | -5.8% |
| 1989 | 3.39 % change on previous year | -0.3% |
| 1990 | 3.16 % change on previous year | -6.7% |
| 1991 | 3.3 % change on previous year | +4.3% |
| 1992 | 3.12 % change on previous year | -5.5% |
| 1993 | 2.97 % change on previous year | -4.7% |
| 1994 | 2.83 % change on previous year | -4.7% |
| 1995 | 2.71 % change on previous year | -4.1% |
| 1996 | 5.18 % change on previous year | +91.0% |
| 1997 | 5.72 % change on previous year | +10.4% |
| 1998 | 5.47 % change on previous year | -4.4% |
| 1999 | 5.25 % change on previous year | -4.0% |
| 2000 | 5.04 % change on previous year | -4.1% |
| 2001 | 4.98 % change on previous year | -1.0% |
| 2002 | 4.76 % change on previous year | -4.5% |
| 2003 | 4.55 % change on previous year | -4.4% |
| 2004 | 4.38 % change on previous year | -3.9% |
| 2005 | 4.23 % change on previous year | -3.5% |
| 2006 | 4.09 % change on previous year | -3.3% |
| 2007 | 4.15 % change on previous year | +1.6% |
| 2008 | 3.92 % change on previous year | -5.6% |
| 2009 | 3.7 % change on previous year | -5.6% |
| 2010 | 3.72 % change on previous year | +0.7% |
| 2011 | 3.75 % change on previous year | +0.7% |
| 2012 | 3.75 % change on previous year | +0.2% |
| 2013 | 3.75 % change on previous year | -0.2% |
| 2014 | 3.69 % change on previous year | -1.6% |
| 2015 | 2.95 % change on previous year | -20.0% |
| 2016 | 2.82 % change on previous year | -4.3% |
| 2017 | 2.7 % change on previous year | -4.4% |
| 2018 | 2.58 % change on previous year | -4.4% |
| 2019 | 2.47 % change on previous year | -4.5% |
| 2020 | 2.35 % change on previous year | -4.7% |
| 2021 | 1.72 % change on previous year | -27.0% |
| 2022 | 1.65 % change on previous year | -3.5% |
| 2023 | 1.97 % change on previous year | +18.8% |
| 2024 | 1.9 % change on previous year | -3.4% |
| 2025 | 1.82 % change on previous year | -4.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 5.77 % change on previous year | -23.17 % change on previous year | 22.34 % change on previous year | 9 |
| 1980s | 5.81 % change on previous year | 3.39 % change on previous year | 14.56 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1990s | 3.97 % change on previous year | 2.71 % change on previous year | 5.72 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2000s | 4.38 % change on previous year | 3.7 % change on previous year | 5.04 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.22 % change on previous year | 2.47 % change on previous year | 3.75 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.9 % change on previous year | 1.65 % change on previous year | 2.35 % change on previous year | 6 |
Countries ranked near Western Sahara
- 58 Tajikistan 1.89 % change on previous year compare
- 59 Seychelles 1.88 % change on previous year compare
- 60 Ghana 1.87 % change on previous year compare
- 62 Papua New Guinea 1.78 % change on previous year compare
- 63 Turkmenistan 1.72 % change on previous year compare
- 64 Honduras 1.68 % change on previous year compare
More population data for Western Sahara
- Projected population under age 5 41,447 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.351 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.1005 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.4967 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population density 3.13 (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.3345 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.1005 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate -0.109 (2100)
- Population growth rate by level of development -0.109 (2100)
- Population aged 14 years or younger (thousands), annual growth rate 1.04 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total population (thousands), annual growth rate in Western Sahara?
- Total population (thousands), annual growth rate in Western Sahara was 1.82 % change on previous year in 2025, according to Statizoid (derived).
- What is the highest total population (thousands), annual growth rate recorded in Western Sahara?
- The highest recorded value was 22.34 % change on previous year in 1971.
- What is the lowest total population (thousands), annual growth rate recorded in Western Sahara?
- The lowest recorded value was -23.17 % change on previous year in 1976.
- How does Western Sahara rank for total population (thousands), annual growth rate?
- Western Sahara ranks 61st out of 233 countries with data for 2025.
- Is total population (thousands), annual growth rate rising or falling in Western Sahara?
- Over the last ten years it is down 38.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Western Sahara data come from?
- The figures come from Statizoid (derived), published as part of Total population (thousands), annual growth rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 55 observations, free to reuse under Derived by Statizoid from the sources named on the page.
How this figure is calculated
The year-on-year percentage change in Total population (thousands). Computed from consecutive annual observations; years either side of a gap are skipped rather than bridged.
Computed from
- Total population UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Statizoid computes this series; the underlying measurements belong to the publishers named above. The arithmetic is applied to every country and year where both inputs report, and nothing is estimated unless the page says so.
About this data
The year-on-year percentage change in Total population (thousands). Computed from consecutive annual observations; years either side of a gap are skipped rather than bridged.