Timor-Leste, also known as East Timor, has experienced steady population growth since gaining independence in 2002. According to United Nations estimates, the country's population has increased from around 800,000 at independence to approximately 1.4 million in 2023. This growth is driven by a relatively high birth rate, with a youthful population and a median age of about 20 years. Despite challenges such as limited economic opportunities and periods of political instability, Timor-Leste's population continues to expand, although the rate of growth has begun to slow slightly in recent years as fertility rates gradually decline. The government faces ongoing challenges in providing adequate education, healthcare, and employment opportunities for its growing population.
| Year | Population | Population Density Per Square KM |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 435,529 | 29.3 |
| 1955 | 472,195 | 31.7 |
| 1960 | 508,860 | 34.2 |
| 1965 | 553,217 | 37.2 |
| 1970 | 597,574 | 40.2 |
| 1975 | 676,582 | 45.5 |
| 1980 | 557,162 | 37.5 |
| 1985 | 648,798 | 43.6 |
| 1990 | 739,630 | 49.7 |
| 1995 | 867,485 | 58.3 |
| 2000 | 767,081 | 51.6 |
| 2005 | 984,204 | 66.2 |
| 2010 | 1,087,657 | 73.1 |
| 2015 | 1,230,868 | 82.8 |
| 2020 | 1,382,948 | 93 |
| 2022 | 1,445,006 | 97.1 |
| 2023 | 1,476,042 | 99.2 |
| 2024 | 1,506,909 | 101.3 |
| 2025 | 1,537,499 | 103.4 |
| 2030 | 1,685,975 | 113.4 |
| 2035 | 1,824,351 | 122.7 |
| 2040 | 1,951,975 | 131.2 |
| 2045 | 2,071,285 | 139.3 |
| 2050 | 2,184,155 | 146.8 |
| 2055 | 2,291,433 | 154.1 |
| 2060 | 2,391,904 | 160.8 |
| 2065 | 2,481,206 | 166.8 |
| 2070 | 2,556,472 | 171.9 |
| 2075 | 2,616,252 | 175.9 |
| 2080 | 2,660,176 | 178.8 |
| 2085 | 2,688,148 | 180.7 |
| 2090 | 2,700,066 | 181.5 |
| 2095 | 2,695,594 | 181.2 |
| 2100 | 2,674,871 | 179.8 |
Data from US Census International Database