Total population (thousands) in Western Sahara
Western Sahara: Total population (thousands) was 595.83 thousands in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
595.83 thousands
Change on year
up 1.8%
World rank
170th
of 233 countries
All-time high
595.83 thousands
in 2025
All-time low
58.12 thousands
in 1976
Years of data
56
1970–2025
Total population in Western Sahara, 1970–2025
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in thousands.
Analysis
In 2025, total population in Western Sahara stood at 595.83 thousands. That is the highest value across all 56 years on record.
The figure is up 1.8% on the previous year and up 24.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total population in Western Sahara peaked at 595.83 thousands in 2025 and was at its lowest, 58.12 thousands, in 1976.
Western Sahara ranks 170th 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) in Western Sahara, year by year
| Year | thousands | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 64.52 thousands | — |
| 1971 | 78.94 thousands | +22.3% |
| 1972 | 78.51 thousands | -0.5% |
| 1973 | 77.99 thousands | -0.7% |
| 1974 | 77.3 thousands | -0.9% |
| 1975 | 75.66 thousands | -2.1% |
| 1976 | 58.12 thousands | -23.2% |
| 1977 | 70.86 thousands | +21.9% |
| 1978 | 83.92 thousands | +18.4% |
| 1979 | 97.86 thousands | +16.6% |
| 1980 | 112.1 thousands | +14.6% |
| 1981 | 122.64 thousands | +9.4% |
| 1982 | 131.15 thousands | +6.9% |
| 1983 | 137.81 thousands | +5.1% |
| 1984 | 143.35 thousands | +4.0% |
| 1985 | 148.95 thousands | +3.9% |
| 1986 | 154.57 thousands | +3.8% |
| 1987 | 160.16 thousands | +3.6% |
| 1988 | 165.6 thousands | +3.4% |
| 1989 | 171.22 thousands | +3.4% |
| 1990 | 176.63 thousands | +3.2% |
| 1991 | 182.46 thousands | +3.3% |
| 1992 | 188.14 thousands | +3.1% |
| 1993 | 193.73 thousands | +3.0% |
| 1994 | 199.22 thousands | +2.8% |
| 1995 | 204.62 thousands | +2.7% |
| 1996 | 215.23 thousands | +5.2% |
| 1997 | 227.55 thousands | +5.7% |
| 1998 | 240 thousands | +5.5% |
| 1999 | 252.61 thousands | +5.3% |
| 2000 | 265.33 thousands | +5.0% |
| 2001 | 278.56 thousands | +5.0% |
| 2002 | 291.82 thousands | +4.8% |
| 2003 | 305.11 thousands | +4.6% |
| 2004 | 318.46 thousands | +4.4% |
| 2005 | 331.92 thousands | +4.2% |
| 2006 | 345.48 thousands | +4.1% |
| 2007 | 359.81 thousands | +4.1% |
| 2008 | 373.91 thousands | +3.9% |
| 2009 | 387.74 thousands | +3.7% |
| 2010 | 402.18 thousands | +3.7% |
| 2011 | 417.25 thousands | +3.7% |
| 2012 | 432.92 thousands | +3.8% |
| 2013 | 449.14 thousands | +3.7% |
| 2014 | 465.71 thousands | +3.7% |
| 2015 | 479.45 thousands | +3.0% |
| 2016 | 492.99 thousands | +2.8% |
| 2017 | 506.31 thousands | +2.7% |
| 2018 | 519.38 thousands | +2.6% |
| 2019 | 532.19 thousands | +2.5% |
| 2020 | 544.69 thousands | +2.4% |
| 2021 | 554.04 thousands | +1.7% |
| 2022 | 563.2 thousands | +1.7% |
| 2023 | 574.27 thousands | +2.0% |
| 2024 | 585.18 thousands | +1.9% |
| 2025 | 595.83 thousands | +1.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 76.37 thousands | 58.12 thousands | 97.86 thousands | 10 |
| 1980s | 144.76 thousands | 112.1 thousands | 171.22 thousands | 10 |
| 1990s | 208.02 thousands | 176.63 thousands | 252.61 thousands | 10 |
| 2000s | 325.81 thousands | 265.33 thousands | 387.74 thousands | 10 |
| 2010s | 469.75 thousands | 402.18 thousands | 532.19 thousands | 10 |
| 2020s | 569.54 thousands | 544.69 thousands | 595.83 thousands | 6 |
Countries ranked near Western Sahara
- 167 Luxembourg 676.87 thousands compare
- 168 Montenegro 637.52 thousands compare
- 169 Suriname 637.12 thousands compare
- 171 Malta 542.82 thousands compare
- 172 Maldives 528.75 thousands compare
- 173 Cape Verde 526.14 thousands 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 total population in Western Sahara?
- Total population in Western Sahara was 595.83 thousands in 2025, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest total population recorded in Western Sahara?
- The highest recorded value was 595.83 thousands in 2025.
- What is the lowest total population recorded in Western Sahara?
- The lowest recorded value was 58.12 thousands in 1976.
- How does Western Sahara rank for total population?
- Western Sahara ranks 170th out of 233 countries with data for 2025.
- Is total population rising or falling in Western Sahara?
- Over the last ten years it is up 24.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Western Sahara data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Total population (thousands). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 56 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
About this data
February 2026 Data Release