Timor-Leste Population
East Asia & Pacific · 154th most populous · Lower middle income
Population right now (estimate)
1,442,951
The population of Timor-Leste is about 1,442,951 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 1.4 million for 2026 as a whole — 0.02% of the world's people.
Timor-Leste is ranked 154th of 217 by population. The population is still growing, by about 1.30% a year. By 2050 it is projected to reach about 1.9 million. That is 3.1 times its 1960 population of 468 thousand. Population density is 97 people per square kilometre. 29% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
1.4 million
Yearly change
+1.30%
World rank
154th
Share of world
0.02%
Density
97/km²
Land area
14,870 km²
Life expectancy
67.9 yrs
Births per woman
2.63
GDP per capita
$1,341
GDP
$1.9B
Population of Timor-Leste, 1960–2050
Timor-Leste population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 468,118 | — | 31 |
| 1970 | 553,069 | +1.79% | 37 |
| 1980 | 649,871 | +1.75% | 44 |
| 1990 | 760,345 | +2.08% | 51 |
| 2000 | 745,088 | −10.74% | 50 |
| 2010 | 1,084,679 | +2.45% | 73 |
| 2020 | 1,326,053 | +1.93% | 89 |
| 2024 | 1,400,638 | +1.18% | 94 |
| 2026proj. | 1,436,923 | +1.30% | 97 |
| 2030proj. | 1,519,804 | +1.45% | 102 |
| 2040proj. | 1,718,249 | +1.14% | 116 |
| 2050proj. | 1,889,249 | +0.82% | 127 |
Timor-Leste vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 124 times as many people as Timor-Leste. Bangladesh is 14.1 times more densely populated.
Timor-Leste population: questions and answers
What is the population of Timor-Leste in 2026?
About 1,436,923 (1.4 million), based on World Bank projections.
Is Timor-Leste's population growing?
Yes, by about 1.30% a year (2026).
What is the population density of Timor-Leste?
About 97 people per km², with a land area of 14,870 km².
What will the population of Timor-Leste be in 2050?
About 1.9 million on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of Timor-Leste?
Dili.
What is the life expectancy in Timor-Leste?
67.9 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.