MigrantoImmigrants in Western Sahara
5.4K foreign-born residents — the #206 largest immigrant population in the world
Where immigrants come from
The top 3 countries account for 75% of all immigrants
| Country | Immigrants |
|---|---|
| Senegal | 1899 |
| Guinea-Bissau | 1091 |
| Guinea | 1036 |
| Mauritania | 587 |
| Mali | 404 |
| France | 290 |
| Algeria | 83 |
By region of origin
Africa is the leading region of origin at 95%
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Interesting facts
Notable statistics about immigration in Western Sahara.
Senegal is the leading source of immigration by a wide margin
Senegal accounts for 35% of all immigrants, far ahead of the second-largest source at just 20%.
How immigration changed over time
Total immigrant population by year
| Year | Immigrants |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 2580 |
| 1995 | 2865 |
| 2000 | 3157 |
| 2005 | 3734 |
| 2010 | 4312 |
| 2015 | 4967 |
| 2020 | 5195 |
| 2024 | 5390 |
Top sources over time
Immigration from the 5 largest source countries
| Year | Senegal | Guinea-Bissau | Guinea | Mauritania | Mali |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 905 | 523 | 495 | 282 | 194 |
| 1995 | 1006 | 581 | 550 | 313 | 215 |
| 2000 | 1108 | 640 | 606 | 345 | 237 |
| 2005 | 1311 | 757 | 717 | 408 | 280 |
| 2010 | 1514 | 874 | 828 | 471 | 324 |
| 2015 | 1745 | 1007 | 954 | 542 | 373 |
| 2020 | 1831 | 1052 | 998 | 566 | 389 |
| 2024 | 1899 | 1091 | 1036 | 587 | 404 |
Fastest-changing origins
How immigration from each country has changed since the selected year
Western Sahara as a destination, by diaspora
Share of each country's emigrants who settled in Western Sahara
Data source: International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division)
Frequently asked questions
How many immigrants live in Western Sahara?
Around 5.4K foreign-born residents live in Western Sahara, making it the #206-largest immigrant population in the world.
Where do most immigrants in Western Sahara come from?
Most immigrants in Western Sahara come from Senegal, Guinea-Bissau and Guinea — these three countries account for about 75% of all foreign-born residents.
How has immigration to Western Sahara changed over the past decade?
Over the past decade, the immigrant population in Western Sahara has grown from 5K to 5.4K people, a growth of about 9%.
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