Mongolia is the smallest United Nations member state by population density.
Mongolia covers about 1.56 million square kilometres but has a population of only a few million people. Its density is generally around two people per square kilometre, depending on the year and population estimate. That makes it the least densely populated UN member state.
Namibia, Australia and Iceland are also sparsely populated countries, but Mongolia’s combination of enormous territory and comparatively small population produces the lowest national density among UN members. Antarctica is far less densely populated, but it is not a sovereign UN member state.
The country’s low density reflects its vast steppe, Gobi Desert, mountains and harsh continental climate. Ulaanbaatar contains a large share of the population, while many other residents live in smaller settlements or maintain pastoral traditions. Population density is an average, so it does not mean every part of Mongolia is equally empty.