09 May 2012

Mongolia is home to the world's lowest population density, estimated at just 1.9 inhabitants per square kilometer. Situated between the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China, Mongolia spans approximately 1,565,000 square kilometers—slightly smaller than the state of Alaska. The capital, Ulan Bator, lies in the northeast, approximately 200 kilometers from the Russian border.

By 2000, Mongolia's population had grown to over 2.5 million inhabitants—nearly double what it had been in the 1960s. This expansion is largely attributable to advances in healthcare services and the proliferation of medical facilities, which extended life expectancy considerably. According to encyclopedic sources, Mongols comprise roughly 90% of the population, making the country ethnically homogeneous. Kazakhs account for 4% of inhabitants, with Chinese and Russian populations comprising the remainder. The Mongolian population skews young, with 34% under 15 years of age and just 4% over 65.

The capital and surrounding areas are home to over 770,000 people—nearly one-third of the entire nation. In the early 20th century, Mongols faced the threat of extinction due to limited medical services, high infant mortality, disease, epidemics, and natural disasters. Following independence in 1921, Mongolia's government actively promoted population growth. This policy reversed the decline and catalyzed rapid population expansion during the latter half of the 20th century. Nevertheless, Mongolia's population density remains among the world's lowest, at approximately 1.9 inhabitants per square kilometer. This sparse settlement pattern can be partly explained by the country's extreme geography and climate. Mongolia features towering mountain ranges and scorching deserts, alongside brutally long winters and temperature extremes that test the limits of human endurance.

Charlène Nomadays

As SEO writer and now content manager and head of communications at Nomadays, Charlène has been part of the adventure from its inception with unwavering passion and dedication. Having spent seven years across Asia—from China and Thailand to Mongolia and South Korea—she has made travel a way of being in the world. A lover of language, nature, and human connection, she strives to convey in her writing a perspective on tourism that is sensible, committed, and responsible. For her, each article is a bridge between curiosity, respect, and wonder.