MigrantoImmigrants in Western Sahara
5.4K foreigners live in Western Sahara — 0% of the country's population
Immigrants in Western Sahara by country
The 3 largest groups make up 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
95% of immigrants come from Africa
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Key facts
Immigrants in Western Sahara in numbers
Senegalese are the largest group by a wide margin
35% of all immigrants were born in Senegal, while the next group accounts for just 20%.
Immigrant population in Western Sahara over time
Foreigners living in Western Sahara, by year
| Year | Immigrants |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 2580 |
| 1995 | 2865 |
| 2000 | 3157 |
| 2005 | 3734 |
| 2010 | 4312 |
| 2015 | 4967 |
| 2020 | 5195 |
| 2024 | 5390 |
Largest groups over time
The 5 largest groups in Western Sahara, by year
| Year | Senegalese | Bissau-Guineans | Guineans | Mauritanians | Malians |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 groups
How each group's numbers have changed since the selected year
Share of each diaspora living in Western Sahara
Of each group's emigrants worldwide, the share who live in Western Sahara
Data source: International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division)
Frequently asked questions
How many foreigners live in Western Sahara?
Around 5.4K immigrants live in Western Sahara — the world's #206 largest immigrant population.
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 immigrants.
How many Senegalese live in Western Sahara?
Around 1.9K Senegalese live in Western Sahara — about 35% of all immigrants, the largest group.
Is the immigrant population in Western Sahara growing?
Yes — over the past decade, the number of immigrants in Western Sahara has grown from 5K to 5.4K, about 9%.
Where does the data on immigrants in Western Sahara come from?
The source is International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division). It counts people born abroad who now live in Western Sahara. Their children born in Western Sahara are not included.
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Living in Western Sahara
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