Quick facts
Timor-Leste (East Timor) population overview
Timor-Leste is the 46th most populous of 52 countries and territories in Asia. The United Nations put the population at 1,428,296 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +1.3% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 51 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 30,566 births (21.4 per 1,000 people) and 10,141 deaths (7.1 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 1,714 people. The infant mortality rate is 33.9 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 468,118 in 1960 to 1,418,517 in 2025 — a change of +203%, or +1.7% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 22.1 years; life expectancy at birth is 68.3 years; women have on average 2.6 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 33.1% of residents are under 15 and 5.2% are 65 or older (2025); 28.8% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Dili. Timor-Leste covers 14,870 km², giving a population density of about 97.1 people per km². GDP was $1.90B in 2025 — about $1,341 per person (World Bank classification: lower middle income).
Timor-Leste (East Timor) population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 1,443,217 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 1,428,296 |
| World rank | #156 of 238 |
| Rank in Asia | #46 of 52 |
| Share of world population | 0.017% |
| Annual growth rate | +1.3% |
| Births per year est. | 30,566 |
| Deaths per year est. | 10,141 |
| Net migration per year est. | -1,714 |
| Birth rate | 21.4 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 7.1 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 33.9 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 101.7 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 22.1 years |
| Life expectancy | 68.3 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 2.6 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 28.8% |
| Surface area 2023 | 14,870 km² |
| Population density | 97.1 per km² |
| Capital | Dili |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $1.90B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $1,341 |
| Income group World Bank | Lower middle income |
Timor-Leste (East Timor) population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 1,443,217 | – | – |
| 2025 | 1,418,517 | +17,879 | +1.3% |
| 2024 | 1,400,638 | +16,352 | +1.2% |
| 2023 | 1,384,286 | +14,991 | +1.1% |
| 2022 | 1,369,295 | +19,156 | +1.4% |
| 2021 | 1,350,139 | +24,086 | +1.8% |
| 2020 | 1,326,053 | +120,922 | +1.9% |
| 2015 | 1,205,131 | +120,452 | +2.1% |
| 2010 | 1,084,679 | +136,368 | +2.7% |
| 2005 | 948,311 | +203,223 | +4.9% |
| 2000 | 745,088 | -123,058 | -3% |
| 1995 | 868,146 | +107,801 | +2.7% |
| 1990 | 760,345 | +63,680 | +1.8% |
| 1985 | 696,665 | +46,794 | +1.4% |
| 1980 | 649,871 | +51,713 | +1.7% |
| 1975 | 598,158 | +45,089 | +1.6% |
| 1970 | 553,069 | +46,035 | +1.8% |
| 1965 | 507,034 | +38,916 | +1.6% |
| 1960 | 468,118 | – | – |
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 Timor Leste
Population over time
- From 468,118 in 1960 to 1,443,217 today — up 208.3%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +1.6% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 67.9 years (2024), up 35.5 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 2.6 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 21.8 births vs 7.2 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 14.5 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 33.1% of the population is under 15 and 5.2% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 2.5% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 0.7 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 0.76 Mt in 2013 — down 7.8% since.
- Per person: 0.5 t in 2024, vs 0.02 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 60.7 kg of oil equivalent per person (2007), down 2.8% since 2004.
- Renewables supplied 11.4% of final energy in 2022 (-36.8 points since 2002).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 61.7% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 64.8% to 61.7% since 1990 — roughly 462 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 28.8% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 10.1% in 1960 (+18.7 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low–medium — freshwater withdrawals are 14.3% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 5,999 m³ in 2022, down 64.7% since 1962.
Economy
- GDP: $1.90B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 19.6% since 2015.
- That works out to $1,341 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 1.6% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 0.4% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 35% of people used the internet in 2021.
- Mobile subscriptions: 116.4 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Timor Leste in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Timor-Leste in 2026?
As of October 2026, Timor-Leste has an estimated population of 1,443,217. The United Nations estimated 1,428,296 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 Timor-Leste growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +1.3% per year — roughly 51 more people every day. Each year there are about 30,566 births and 10,141 deaths, with net migration of -1,714.
What is the population density of Timor-Leste?
About 97.1 people per square kilometre: 1,443,217 people living on 14,870 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Timor-Leste?
The median age is 22.1 years, and life expectancy at birth is 68.3 years. 33.1% of the population is under 15 and 5.2% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Timor-Leste rank by population?
Timor-Leste is the 156th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 46th in Asia, with 0.017% of the global population.
How has the population of Timor-Leste changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 468,118; by 2025 it had grown to 1,418,517 (+203%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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MauritiusSources & 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.