MigrantoWestern Sahara Diaspora
202.1K Western Sahara live abroad — 0% of the population of Western Sahara
Western Sahara diaspora by country
The top 3 countries are home to 100% of the diaspora
| Country | Emigrants |
|---|---|
| Algeria | 168862 |
| Mauritania | 32947 |
| South Africa | 258 |
| Norway | 33 |
| Greece | 6 |
| Slovenia | 1 |
| Hungary | 0 |
| Latvia | 0 |
By region
100% of the diaspora lives in Africa
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Key facts
The Western Sahara diaspora in numbers
Most Western Sahara abroad live in Algeria
84% of the diaspora lives in Algeria, while the next country accounts for just 16%.
The diaspora is spread more widely than in 1990
The largest country's share fell from 100% to 84%.
Western Sahara diaspora population over time
People living abroad, by year
| Year | Emigrants |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 168120 |
| 1995 | 167018 |
| 2000 | 165927 |
| 2005 | 131181 |
| 2010 | 170154 |
| 2015 | 184784 |
| 2020 | 193812 |
| 2024 | 202107 |
Largest communities over time
Western Sahara living in the 5 largest countries, by year
| Year | Algeria | Mauritania | South Africa | Norway | Greece |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 167905 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 203 |
| 1995 | 166903 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 103 |
| 2000 | 165911 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 4 |
| 2005 | 131163 | 0 | 11 | 5 | 2 |
| 2010 | 144125 | 26001 | 27 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 156658 | 28007 | 69 | 42 | 3 |
| 2020 | 162952 | 30652 | 171 | 30 | 6 |
| 2024 | 168862 | 32947 | 258 | 33 | 6 |
Fastest-changing communities
How the number of Western Sahara in each country has changed since the selected year
Western Sahara among immigrants in other countries
Where Western Sahara make up the largest share of a country's immigrants
Data source: International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division)
Frequently asked questions
How many Western Sahara live outside Western Sahara?
Around 202.1K Western Sahara live abroad, the world's #132 largest diaspora.
Where do most Western Sahara abroad live?
Most Western Sahara live in Algeria, Mauritania and South Africa — these three countries account for about 100% of all Western Sahara living abroad.
Which country has the largest Western Sahara population outside Western Sahara?
Algeria is home to the largest Western Sahara community abroad — 168.9K people, about 84% of all Western Sahara living abroad.
Is the Western Sahara diaspora growing?
Yes — over the past decade, the number of Western Sahara living abroad has grown from 184.8K to 202.1K, about 9%.
Where does the data on the Western Sahara diaspora come from?
The source is International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division). It counts people born in Western Sahara who now live in other countries. Descendants of emigrants born abroad are not included.
Where to live?
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Living in Western Sahara
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