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By 2026, Western Sahara is projected to be home to 610,813 people. That is a 47-fold increase on the 12,960 recorded in 1950. It is expanding at +1.58% a year, adding about 9.7K people a year. With only 2 people/km², it is one of the world's more sparsely settled countries. Half the population is younger than 32.8 years, and the age structure is steadily tilting older: the median is projected to reach 36.6 by 2050. Men outnumber women in the population, at 122 males per 100 females. By 2100, UN projections see it rising to 831,293, up 36% from 2026.
Total population
610,813
Density
2 people/km²
Median age
32.8 years
Growth rate
+1.58%
Western Sahara is experiencing rapid population growth, adding thousands of people each year. The sex ratio of 122 males per 100 females is notably higher than the global average of ~101. The population is gradually aging, with median age projected to reach 37 by 2050 (up from 33 in 2026). Population density is low at 2 people per km². UN projections show continued growth to 831.3K by 2100.