Urban and rural population in Western Sahara
Western Sahara: Urban and rural population was 522,087 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Urban and rural population in Western Sahara, 1950–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, urban and rural population in Western Sahara stood at 522,087. That is the highest value across all 76 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.8% on the previous year and up 24.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban and rural population in Western Sahara peaked at 522,087 in 2025 and was at its lowest, 4,018, in 1950.
Western Sahara ranks 162nd of 236 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.
Urban and rural population in Western Sahara, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 4,018 | — |
| 1951 | 4,404 | +9.6% |
| 1952 | 4,817 | +9.4% |
| 1953 | 5,263 | +9.3% |
| 1954 | 5,752 | +9.3% |
| 1955 | 6,275 | +9.1% |
| 1956 | 6,837 | +9.0% |
| 1957 | 7,433 | +8.7% |
| 1958 | 8,068 | +8.5% |
| 1959 | 8,745 | +8.4% |
| 1960 | 9,462 | +8.2% |
| 1961 | 10,260 | +8.4% |
| 1962 | 11,180 | +9.0% |
| 1963 | 12,228 | +9.4% |
| 1964 | 13,416 | +9.7% |
| 1965 | 14,749 | +9.9% |
| 1966 | 16,236 | +10.1% |
| 1967 | 18,243 | +12.4% |
| 1968 | 20,865 | +14.4% |
| 1969 | 23,784 | +14.0% |
| 1970 | 28,638 | +20.4% |
| 1971 | 32,679 | +14.1% |
| 1972 | 34,431 | +5.4% |
| 1973 | 36,769 | +6.8% |
| 1974 | 39,277 | +6.8% |
| 1975 | 37,322 | -5.0% |
| 1976 | 38,988 | +4.5% |
| 1977 | 50,398 | +29.3% |
| 1978 | 63,244 | +25.5% |
| 1979 | 77,289 | +22.2% |
| 1980 | 90,403 | +17.0% |
| 1981 | 100,972 | +11.7% |
| 1982 | 108,963 | +7.9% |
| 1983 | 114,868 | +5.4% |
| 1984 | 120,265 | +4.7% |
| 1985 | 125,684 | +4.5% |
| 1986 | 131,079 | +4.3% |
| 1987 | 136,372 | +4.0% |
| 1988 | 141,646 | +3.9% |
| 1989 | 146,868 | +3.7% |
| 1990 | 152,135 | +3.6% |
| 1991 | 157,467 | +3.5% |
| 1992 | 162,645 | +3.3% |
| 1993 | 167,677 | +3.1% |
| 1994 | 172,563 | +2.9% |
| 1995 | 179,600 | +4.1% |
| 1996 | 189,592 | +5.6% |
| 1997 | 200,379 | +5.7% |
| 1998 | 211,293 | +5.4% |
| 1999 | 222,326 | +5.2% |
| 2000 | 233,625 | +5.1% |
| 2001 | 245,160 | +4.9% |
| 2002 | 256,723 | +4.7% |
| 2003 | 268,325 | +4.5% |
| 2004 | 280,004 | +4.4% |
| 2005 | 291,773 | +4.2% |
| 2006 | 303,924 | +4.2% |
| 2007 | 316,308 | +4.1% |
| 2008 | 328,480 | +3.8% |
| 2009 | 340,809 | +3.8% |
| 2010 | 353,686 | +3.8% |
| 2011 | 367,102 | +3.8% |
| 2012 | 381,027 | +3.8% |
| 2013 | 395,358 | +3.8% |
| 2014 | 408,639 | +3.4% |
| 2015 | 420,626 | +2.9% |
| 2016 | 432,432 | +2.8% |
| 2017 | 444,038 | +2.7% |
| 2018 | 455,428 | +2.6% |
| 2019 | 466,578 | +2.4% |
| 2020 | 476,228 | +2.1% |
| 2021 | 484,431 | +1.7% |
| 2022 | 493,384 | +1.8% |
| 2023 | 503,094 | +2.0% |
| 2024 | 512,618 | +1.9% |
| 2025 | 522,087 | +1.8% |
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Urban and rural population in Western Sahara changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | +29.3% | 38,988 | 50,398 |
| 1978 | +25.5% | 50,398 | 63,244 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 6,161 | 4,018 | 8,745 | 10 |
| 1960s | 15,042 | 9,462 | 23,784 | 10 |
| 1970s | 43,904 | 28,638 | 77,289 | 10 |
| 1980s | 121,712 | 90,403 | 146,868 | 10 |
| 1990s | 181,568 | 152,135 | 222,326 | 10 |
| 2000s | 286,513 | 233,625 | 340,809 | 10 |
| 2010s | 412,491 | 353,686 | 466,578 | 10 |
| 2020s | 498,640 | 476,228 | 522,087 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Western Sahara
More population data for Western Sahara
- Population growth rate -0.109 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 41,447 (2100)
- Population density 3.13 (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 growth rate by level of development -0.109 (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.1005 % change on previous year (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.351 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.3345 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population aged 15-24 years (thousands), annual growth rate 2.31 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban and rural population in Western Sahara?
- Urban and rural population in Western Sahara was 522,087 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban and rural population recorded in Western Sahara?
- The highest recorded value was 522,087 in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban and rural population recorded in Western Sahara?
- The lowest recorded value was 4,018 in 1950.
- How does Western Sahara rank for urban and rural population?
- Western Sahara ranks 162nd out of 236 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban and rural population rising or falling in Western Sahara?
- Over the last ten years it is up 24.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Western Sahara data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Urban and rural population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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