West Bank and Gaza Population 2026
As of 2025, the combined population of the West Bank and Gaza is estimated at 5,289,152. This figure reflects a 1-year growth rate of 2.39% and a 10-year average annual growth rate of 2.40%, placing the territory at rank 122 globally by population size.
Population Trend (West Bank and Gaza)
Population by Decade
Population milestones
How West Bank and Gaza's population changed across key years (World Bank estimates).
Overview
The West Bank and Gaza, classified as a lower-middle-income country in the Middle East & North Africa region, has experienced steady demographic expansion over the past decade. With a 10-year average annual growth rate of 2.40%, the population has been increasing at a pace that outpaces many neighboring countries, driven by relatively high fertility rates and a young age structure. The latest 1-year growth rate of 2.39% indicates that this trend remains consistent into 2025.
Geographically, the territory comprises two non-contiguous areas—the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip—each with distinct demographic profiles. Gaza, in particular, has one of the highest population densities in the world, while the West Bank has a more dispersed settlement pattern. Both areas face significant challenges related to resource scarcity, political instability, and limited economic opportunities, which influence migration and natural increase.
In the regional context, the West Bank and Gaza’s population of 5.29 million ranks 122nd globally, making it a mid-sized territory in terms of inhabitants. Its lower-middle-income status reflects an economy that is heavily dependent on international aid, remittances, and limited local production. The demographic momentum, with a growth rate above 2%, suggests continued population pressure on infrastructure, water resources, and employment in the coming years.
Overall, the population dynamics of the West Bank and Gaza are shaped by a combination of high birth rates, declining but still significant mortality, and limited out-migration. The territory’s young population—with a median age well below the global average—ensures that growth will remain robust for the foreseeable future, barring major geopolitical or economic shifts.
Key Facts
- The latest population estimate for the West Bank and Gaza in 2025 is 5,289,152.
- The 1-year population growth rate for 2025 is 2.39%.
- Over the past 10 years, the average annual growth rate has been 2.40%.
- The territory ranks 122nd in the world by population size.
- It is classified as a lower-middle-income country in the Middle East & North Africa region.
- The population has grown at a consistent rate of approximately 2.4% per year over the last decade.