Quick facts
Tajikistan population overview
Tajikistan is the 29th most populous of 52 countries and territories in Asia. The United Nations put the population at 10,884,130 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +1.7% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 519 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 259,042 births (23.8 per 1,000 people) and 50,067 deaths (4.6 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 19,591 people. The infant mortality rate is 19.8 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 2,112,131 in 1960 to 10,786,734 in 2025 — a change of +410.7%, or +2.5% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 22.4 years; life expectancy at birth is 72.2 years; women have on average 3 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 35.9% of residents are under 15 and 4.1% are 65 or older (2025); 26.2% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Dushanbe. Tajikistan covers 141,379 km², giving a population density of about 78.1 people per km². GDP was $17.66B in 2025 — about $1,637 per person (World Bank classification: lower middle income).
Tajikistan population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 11,035,158 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 10,884,130 |
| World rank | #89 of 238 |
| Rank in Asia | #29 of 52 |
| Share of world population | 0.1% |
| Annual growth rate | +1.7% |
| Births per year est. | 259,042 |
| Deaths per year est. | 50,067 |
| Net migration per year est. | -19,591 |
| Birth rate | 23.8 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 4.6 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 19.8 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 96.9 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 22.4 years |
| Life expectancy | 72.2 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 3 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 26.2% |
| Surface area 2023 | 141,379 km² |
| Population density | 78.1 per km² |
| Capital | Dushanbe |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $17.66B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $1,637 |
| Income group World Bank | Lower middle income |
Tajikistan population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 11,035,158 | – | – |
| 2025 | 10,786,734 | +195,807 | +1.8% |
| 2024 | 10,590,927 | +201,128 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | 10,389,799 | +207,577 | +2% |
| 2022 | 10,182,222 | +215,314 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | 9,966,908 | +217,598 | +2.2% |
| 2020 | 9,749,310 | +1,105,470 | +2.4% |
| 2015 | 8,643,840 | +991,699 | +2.5% |
| 2010 | 7,652,141 | +727,421 | +2% |
| 2005 | 6,924,720 | +639,985 | +2% |
| 2000 | 6,284,735 | +336,151 | +1.1% |
| 1995 | 5,948,584 | +549,816 | +2% |
| 1990 | 5,398,768 | +779,765 | +3.2% |
| 1985 | 4,619,003 | +623,747 | +2.9% |
| 1980 | 3,995,256 | +564,831 | +3.1% |
| 1975 | 3,430,425 | +493,646 | +3.2% |
| 1970 | 2,936,779 | +443,781 | +3.3% |
| 1965 | 2,492,998 | +380,867 | +3.4% |
| 1960 | 2,112,131 | – | – |
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 Tajikistan
Population over time
- From 2,112,131 in 1960 to 11,035,158 today — up 422.5%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +2.2% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 71.9 years (2024), up 19.4 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 3 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 25.3 births vs 4.6 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 20.7 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 35.9% of the population is under 15 and 4.1% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has shrunk from 4.3% in 1960 — the population is getting younger.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 9.77 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 13.28 Mt in 1989 — down 26.4% since.
- Per person: 0.92 t in 2024, vs 2.77 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 393.1 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), down 60% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 34.9% of final energy in 2021 (+5.3 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 3.1% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 2.9% to 3.1% since 1992 — roughly 222 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 26.2% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 33.4% in 1960 (-7.2 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low–medium — freshwater withdrawals are 16.7% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 6,232 m³ in 2022, down 44.5% since 1992.
Economy
- GDP: $17.66B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 113.5% since 2015.
- That works out to $1,637 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 6.9% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 6% in 2016.
Internet & mobile
- 55.8% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 76.2 per 100 people (2023).
Tajikistan in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Tajikistan in 2026?
As of October 2026, Tajikistan has an estimated population of 11,035,158. The United Nations estimated 10,884,130 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +1.7% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Tajikistan growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +1.7% per year — roughly 519 more people every day. Each year there are about 259,042 births and 50,067 deaths, with net migration of -19,591.
What is the population density of Tajikistan?
About 78.1 people per square kilometre: 11,035,158 people living on 141,379 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Tajikistan?
The median age is 22.4 years, and life expectancy at birth is 72.2 years. 35.9% of the population is under 15 and 4.1% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Tajikistan rank by population?
Tajikistan is the 89th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 29th in Asia, with 0.1% of the global population.
How has the population of Tajikistan changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 2,112,131; by 2025 it had grown to 10,786,734 (+410.7%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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HondurasSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+1.7%); 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.