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Western Sahara vs United States

Western Sahara has a population of 601K, compared to United States's 340.1M. United States is 566.0 times more populous than Western Sahara. United States covers 9,525,067 km², 35.8 times larger than Western Sahara's 266,000 km².

Metric
Flag of Western SaharaWestern Sahara
Flag of United StatesUnited States
Population
-99.8%601K
+56499.9%340.1M
Area
-97.2%266,000 km²
+3480.9%9,525,067 km²
GDP
$28.75T
GDP Per Capita
$84,534.041
Life Expectancy
78.4 yrs
Infant Mortality
5.5
Literacy Rate
Unemployment
4.2%
Capital
El Aaiún
Washington, D.C.
Region
Africa
Americas
Languages
Berber, Hassaniya, Spanish
English
Currencies
DZD (دج), MAD (DH), MRU (UM)
USD ($)

Last updated: March 2026

All data sourced from World Bank Open Data (2025) and REST Countries API. Economic data may reflect most recent available year.

Population Comparison

United States is 566.0 times more populous than Western Sahara, with 340.1M residents compared to 601K. Western Sahara is a nation of 601K people, while United States is among the world's 15 most populous countries. In terms of population density, Western Sahara averages 2 people per km² (sparse), while United States averages 36 people per km² (sparse). United States has grown at 0.62% annually over the past decade. Population growth data is not available for Western Sahara.

Economy Comparison

Western Sahara is classified as a low-income economy, while United States is classified as a high-income economy. United States's GDP stands at $28.75T. GDP data is not available for Western Sahara. Economic indicator data is not available for Western Sahara. United States's GDP per capita of $84,534.041 is 526% above the regional average of 13,500 for Americas.

Health & Quality of Life

United States has a life expectancy of 78.4 years, which is 6.4 years above the global average of 72 years. Life expectancy data is not available for Western Sahara. United States's infant mortality rate is 5.5 per 1,000 live births. Infant mortality data is not available for Western Sahara.

Geographic Comparison

United States (9,525,067 km²) is 35.8 times larger by land area than Western Sahara (266,000 km²). Western Sahara shares borders with 3 countries, while United States borders 2 countries. Western Sahara spans 1 timezone, compared to United States's 11 timezones. Western Sahara lies in Africa, while United States is located in North America. Western Sahara is categorized within the Africa region (Northern Africa), whereas United States belongs to Americas (North America).

Key Differences

The most significant difference between Western Sahara and United States is in population: Western Sahara's 601K compared to United States's 340.1M represents a 100% gap. The most significant difference between Western Sahara and United States is in land area: Western Sahara's 266,000 km² compared to United States's 9,525,067 km² represents a 97% gap. These disparities reflect the broader structural differences between Western Sahara's low-income economy and United States's high-income economy.

At a Glance: What the Numbers Mean

Population Density

United States is 15.8x more densely populated than Western Sahara (36 vs 2 people per km²). Higher density typically correlates with more urbanization, greater demand for public transit, and higher housing costs. Western Sahara's lower density suggests more rural land use and potentially lower urban congestion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is bigger, Western Sahara or United States by population?

United States is larger by population, with 340.1M residents compared to Western Sahara's 601K. United States is 566.0 times more populous than Western Sahara.

Which country has a higher GDP, Western Sahara or United States?

GDP data is not available for Western Sahara. Please refer to the World Bank for the most current figures.

How does life expectancy compare between Western Sahara and United States?

Life expectancy data is not available for Western Sahara. United States has a life expectancy of 78.4 years.

Which country is larger by area, Western Sahara or United States?

United States is larger by land area, covering 9,525,067 km² compared to Western Sahara's 266,000 km². United States is 35.8 times larger than Western Sahara.

What languages are spoken in Western Sahara and United States?

Western Sahara recognizes the following languages: Berber, Hassaniya, Spanish. United States recognizes: English. The two countries do not share an official language.

Which country has lower inflation, Western Sahara or United States?

Inflation data is not available for Western Sahara. United States's inflation rate is 2.9%.