Quick facts
Mongolia population overview
Mongolia is the 42nd most populous of 52 countries and territories in Asia. The United Nations put the population at 3,538,202 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +1.1% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 106 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 59,796 births (16.9 per 1,000 people) and 21,229 deaths (6 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 11 people. The infant mortality rate is 8.1 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 977,595 in 1960 to 3,568,978 in 2025 — a change of +265.1%, or +2% per year on average. It peaked at 3,568,978 in 2025 and has declined 0% since.
Demographically, the median age is 27 years; life expectancy at birth is 72.5 years; women have on average 2.5 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 31.6% of residents are under 15 and 5.4% are 65 or older (2025); 71.1% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Ulaanbaatar. Mongolia covers 1,564,116 km², giving a population density of about 2.3 people per km². GDP was $25.37B in 2025 — about $7,108 per person (World Bank classification: upper middle income).
Mongolia population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 3,568,957 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 3,538,202 |
| World rank | #133 of 238 |
| Rank in Asia | #42 of 52 |
| Share of world population | 0.043% |
| Annual growth rate | +1.1% |
| Births per year est. | 59,796 |
| Deaths per year est. | 21,229 |
| Net migration per year est. | +11 |
| Birth rate | 16.9 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 6 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 8.1 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 99.2 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 27 years |
| Life expectancy | 72.5 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 2.5 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 71.1% |
| Surface area 2023 | 1,564,116 km² |
| Population density | 2.3 per km² |
| Capital | Ulaanbaatar |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $25.37B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $7,108 |
| Income group World Bank | Upper middle income |
Mongolia population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 3,568,957 | – | – |
| 2025 | 3,568,978 | +44,190 | +1.3% |
| 2024 | 3,524,788 | +43,643 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | 3,481,145 | +47,397 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | 3,433,748 | +50,007 | +1.5% |
| 2021 | 3,383,741 | +56,537 | +1.7% |
| 2020 | 3,327,204 | +300,340 | +1.9% |
| 2015 | 3,026,864 | +288,242 | +2% |
| 2010 | 2,738,622 | +202,215 | +1.5% |
| 2005 | 2,536,407 | +148,108 | +1.2% |
| 2000 | 2,388,299 | +163,354 | +1.4% |
| 1995 | 2,224,945 | +126,235 | +1.2% |
| 1990 | 2,098,710 | +177,196 | +1.8% |
| 1985 | 1,921,514 | +220,179 | +2.5% |
| 1980 | 1,701,335 | +213,039 | +2.7% |
| 1975 | 1,488,296 | +193,024 | +2.8% |
| 1970 | 1,295,272 | +164,095 | +2.7% |
| 1965 | 1,131,177 | +153,582 | +3% |
| 1960 | 977,595 | – | – |
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 Mongolia
Population over time
- From 977,595 in 1960 to 3,568,957 today — up 265.1%.
- Population peaked at 3,568,978 in 2025 and is down 0% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +1.7% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 72.4 years (2024), up 27.9 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 2.5 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 16.9 births vs 5.5 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 11.4 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 31.6% of the population is under 15 and 5.4% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has shrunk from 5.7% in 1960 — the population is getting younger.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 27.66 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions are at or near their historical peak.
- Per person: 7.85 t in 2024, vs 4.31 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 2,176.3 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), up 30.7% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 3% of final energy in 2021 (+1.1 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 9.1% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 9.3% to 9.1% since 1990 — roughly 2,862 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 71.1% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 36.9% in 1960 (+34.3 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1977.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 1.3% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 10,135 m³ in 2022, down 70.6% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $25.37B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 118.3% since 2015.
- That works out to $7,108 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 5.2% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 8.6% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 85.1% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 140.7 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Mongolia in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Mongolia in 2026?
As of October 2026, Mongolia has an estimated population of 3,568,957. The United Nations estimated 3,538,202 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +1.1% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Mongolia growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +1.1% per year — roughly 106 more people every day. Each year there are about 59,796 births and 21,229 deaths, with net migration of +11.
What is the population density of Mongolia?
About 2.3 people per square kilometre: 3,568,957 people living on 1,564,116 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Mongolia?
The median age is 27 years, and life expectancy at birth is 72.5 years. 31.6% of the population is under 15 and 5.4% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Mongolia rank by population?
Mongolia is the 133rd most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 42nd in Asia, with 0.043% of the global population.
How has the population of Mongolia changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 977,595; by 2025 it had grown to 3,568,978 (+265.1%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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CroatiaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+1.1%); 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.