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Western Sahara Population 2023

Western Sahara is a disputed territory on the northwest coast and in the Maghreb region of North and West Africa. About 20% of the territory is controlled by the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, while the remaining 80% of the territory is occupied and administered by neighboring Morocco. It is one of the most sparsely populated territories in the world, mainly consisting of deserts.

As per the UN World Population Prospects report,  the population of  Western Sahara in 2020 is 587,258 (5.87 lakhs)

Estimated Population of Western Sahara in 2023 – 0.6 million

 Western Sahara2020 Population
Total Population587,258
Global Rank173
Land Area 266,000 sq.km (102,703 sq. mi)
Area Rank 
Pop. Density2 people/sq. km
Capital CityLaayoune

Source: IN World Population Prospects 2019 report

Western Sahara Demographics
Fertility Rate* 2.41
Infant mortality rate ** 24.8
Median Age  28.4 Years
Life Expectancy 71.08 years
Urban Population 87%

*Fertility rate, average number of children born to women during their reproductive years.

**Infant mortality rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 live births of children under one year of age.

Population of Western Sahara 2024

Rajeev Rana

Rajeev Rana is an independent writer and researcher with a strong interest in history, population studies, and demographic trends in India and North America. He has been writing on demography-related topics for over five years, focusing on census data, migration patterns, ethnicity, and regional population changes. While not a formally certified demographer, Rajeev closely follows official data releases from government sources, census authorities, and reputable research institutions. His work aims to present complex demographic information in a clear, accessible, and neutral manner for readers seeking factual insights and broader context. Rajeev contributes to multiple informational websites and has particular familiarity with demographic and regional trends in the Delhi NCR region. His writing is driven by curiosity, data interpretation, and a commitment to accuracy rather than advocacy or opinion