Quick facts
Djibouti population overview
Djibouti is the 50th most populous of 58 countries and territories in Africa. The United Nations put the population at 1,192,393 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +1.3% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 43 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 24,325 births (20.4 per 1,000 people) and 8,943 deaths (7.5 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 358 people. The infant mortality rate is 34 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 86,024 in 1960 to 1,184,076 in 2025 — a change of +1,276.4%, or +4.1% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 25.2 years; life expectancy at birth is 66.6 years; women have on average 2.6 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 28.8% of residents are under 15 and 5% are 65 or older (2025); 73% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Djibouti. Djibouti covers 23,200 km², giving a population density of about 51.9 people per km². GDP was $4.62B in 2025 — about $3,906 per person (World Bank classification: lower middle income).
Djibouti population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 1,204,849 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 1,192,393 |
| World rank | #161 of 238 |
| Rank in Africa | #50 of 58 |
| Share of world population | 0.015% |
| Annual growth rate | +1.3% |
| Births per year est. | 24,325 |
| Deaths per year est. | 8,943 |
| Net migration per year est. | +358 |
| Birth rate | 20.4 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 7.5 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 34 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 98.2 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 25.2 years |
| Life expectancy | 66.6 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 2.6 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 73% |
| Surface area 2023 | 23,200 km² |
| Population density | 51.9 per km² |
| Capital | Djibouti |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $4.62B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $3,906 |
| Income group World Bank | Lower middle income |
Djibouti population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 1,204,849 | – | – |
| 2025 | 1,184,076 | +15,354 | +1.3% |
| 2024 | 1,168,722 | +15,778 | +1.4% |
| 2023 | 1,152,944 | +15,848 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | 1,137,096 | +15,848 | +1.4% |
| 2021 | 1,121,248 | +16,060 | +1.5% |
| 2020 | 1,105,188 | +84,875 | +1.6% |
| 2015 | 1,020,313 | +90,062 | +1.9% |
| 2010 | 930,251 | +91,084 | +2.1% |
| 2005 | 839,167 | +91,849 | +2.3% |
| 2000 | 747,318 | +114,244 | +3.4% |
| 1995 | 633,074 | +53,536 | +1.8% |
| 1990 | 579,538 | +176,851 | +7.6% |
| 1985 | 402,687 | +76,872 | +4.3% |
| 1980 | 325,815 | +115,907 | +9.2% |
| 1975 | 209,908 | +64,733 | +7.7% |
| 1970 | 145,175 | +36,083 | +5.9% |
| 1965 | 109,092 | +23,068 | +4.9% |
| 1960 | 86,024 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Djibouti
Population over time
- From 86,024 in 1960 to 1,204,849 today — up 1,300.6%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +1.5% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 66.2 years (2024), up 22.8 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 2.6 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 20.9 births vs 7.5 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 13.4 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 28.8% of the population is under 15 and 5% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 2.4% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 0.89 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 1.23 Mt in 1991 — down 27.2% since.
- Per person: 0.77 t in 2024, vs 4.9 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 163.5 kg of oil equivalent per person (2007), down 27.1% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 26.9% of final energy in 2022 (-2.7 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 0.3% of land area (2023).
- Cover has been essentially stable since 1990 (+0 points).
Urban population (% of total)
- 73% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 50.8% in 1960 (+22.2 points).
- Majority-urban for the whole period covered.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 6.3% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 264 m³ in 2022, down 92.1% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $4.62B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 90.8% since 2015.
- That works out to $3,906 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 26% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: -0.3% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 65.3% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 48.5 per 100 people (2023).
Djibouti in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Djibouti in 2026?
As of October 2026, Djibouti has an estimated population of 1,204,849. The United Nations estimated 1,192,393 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +1.3% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Djibouti growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +1.3% per year — roughly 43 more people every day. Each year there are about 24,325 births and 8,943 deaths, with net migration of +358.
What is the population density of Djibouti?
About 51.9 people per square kilometre: 1,204,849 people living on 23,200 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Djibouti?
The median age is 25.2 years, and life expectancy at birth is 66.6 years. 28.8% of the population is under 15 and 5% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Djibouti rank by population?
Djibouti is the 161st most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 50th in Africa, with 0.015% of the global population.
How has the population of Djibouti changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 86,024; by 2025 it had grown to 1,184,076 (+1,276.4%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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CyprusSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+1.3%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.