Western Sahara

1950

2025

2100

1950

2025

2100

Net immigration of 5,030 people per year—more people arriving than leaving.

Since 1950, Western Sahara has gained a cumulative 321,717 people through migration.

By 2100, projections show continued net immigration.

Net migrants

+5,030

Net migration rate

+8.4 per 1,000 people

Key terms

Net migration: — Immigrants minus emigrants. Positive = more people arriving, negative = more leaving.
Net migration rate: — Net migration per 1,000 population per year.
Immigration: — People entering the country from abroad.
Emigration: — People leaving the country to live abroad.

Migration flows

Net migration from 1950 to 2100 (projections after 2024)

Net migrants

+469,296

Cumulative over selected range

Peak immigration

12,426

Top year: 1970

Peak emigration

-18,665

Lowest year: 1975

Recent avg (10 yrs)

+509

Per year

Western Sahara receives approximately 5,030 net migrants per year (8.4 per 1,000 population). Peak immigration was 12,426 in 1970.

Migration flows in Western Sahara are relatively modest. The high immigration rate reflects economic opportunities or policy openness.

Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024. Historical estimates (1950–2024) and medium-variant projections (2025–2100).