People and Society of Western Sahara

Nationality

Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s)

Ethnic Groups

Arab, Berber

Population

652,271

Population in Major Urban Areas

Laayoune 237,000

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Western Sahara reflects both the territory's unique geopolitical situation and the broader health challenges facing populations in arid, sparsely populated regions of northwestern Africa. Current estimates place life expectancy at approximately 70 to 74 years overall, with women generally living longer than men — a pattern consistent with global trends. Women in Western Sahara can expect to live into their mid-to-upper 70s, while men typically reach their late 60s to early 70s. These figures represent a meaningful improvement over previous decades, driven by gradual advances in access to basic healthcare services, improved nutrition, and better management of infectious diseases. However, the territory's contested political status complicates the comprehensive collection and reporting of health data, meaning that reliable, regularly updated statistics remain harder to obtain than for fully recognized sovereign nations. As a result, estimates are often extrapolated from regional data and figures reported by humanitarian organizations operating in the area. A significant portion of the Sahrawi population lives in refugee camps near Tindouf, Algeria, where international humanitarian organizations have worked for decades to provide medical services, vaccinations, and maternal care. Within the territory itself, healthcare infrastructure remains limited, with access to hospitals and specialized medical services concentrated in larger urban centers such as Laayoune and Dakhla. Rural and nomadic populations continue to face greater barriers to consistent medical attention. The leading causes of mortality in the region align with those seen across much of North and West Africa, including cardiovascular disease, respiratory illness, and complications related to maternal and infant health. The infant mortality rate, while declining over time, remains a contributing factor to the overall life expectancy calculation, as higher rates of infant death statistically lower the average figure for the population as a whole. Access to clean water and sanitation also plays a critical role in public health outcomes across the territory. Improvements in these areas, supported in part by international aid and development programs, have contributed to the modest but steady gains in life expectancy seen over recent decades. Ongoing humanitarian efforts continue to address nutritional deficiencies and preventable disease, particularly among the refugee population, where organizations focused on child and maternal health have recorded incremental but notable progress.

Infant Mortality Rate

Infant mortality in Western Sahara reflects the complex humanitarian and political circumstances of this disputed territory, where reliable and consistent data collection remains a significant challenge. The region is administered in large part by Morocco, with a portion of the population living in refugee camps near Tindouf, Algeria, under the administration of the Polisario Front. This divided governance structure makes comprehensive health statistics difficult to compile and verify. Estimates place Western Sahara's infant mortality rate at approximately 45 to 55 deaths per 1,000 live births, though figures vary across sources due to the territory's unique administrative situation. This rate is notably higher than those seen in Morocco and neighboring North African nations, where infant mortality has declined substantially over recent decades due to improved healthcare infrastructure and expanded maternal health programs. The Sahrawi refugee population living in the Tindouf camps faces particularly challenging conditions. Limited access to clean water, adequate nutrition, and consistent medical care contributes to elevated health risks for infants in these settlements. International humanitarian organizations have worked to address these gaps through vaccination campaigns, nutritional support programs, and maternal health services, but resource constraints and geographic isolation continue to pose obstacles. Causes of infant mortality in the region include preventable and treatable conditions such as respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, and complications related to preterm birth and low birth weight. Malnutrition among mothers and infants also plays a contributing role, particularly within the refugee camp population. Within the Moroccan-administered areas, healthcare access has improved modestly in recent years as part of broader regional development investments, though rural and desert communities still face barriers to timely medical care. Progress in reducing infant mortality across the territory as a whole depends heavily on political resolution, increased humanitarian aid, and sustained investment in health systems and infrastructure for all communities residing in or displaced from Western Sahara.

Literacy Definition

NA

Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic

• Arabic