The population density of the Tibet Autonomous Region is 2.21 per square km, or 1/60th that of the overall national figure. Like the other parts of China, Tibet sees an uneven distribution, with the greatest concentration of population in the southern and eastern parts.
Population Density in Various Parts of Tibet
Area |
Population Density Per Square Km |
Remarks |
Middle reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, and its tributaries—Lhasa and Nyang Qu Rivers. |
Averaging more than 10 people per square km, the highest in Tibet. |
About 50 people per square km in the Lhasa Plain, Middle and Lower Reaches of Nyang Qu River Plain, and Zetang Plain; and more than 100 people per square km in area centered on Chengguan District of Lhasa. |
Upper parts of the middle reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, upper reaches of the Lhasa River, and northeastern part of Hengduan Mountains in eastern Tibet |
3-10 people per square km. |
Areas with high population density include Lharze, Sagya Plain, Nyang River Valley near Nyingchi, and Lancangjiang River Valley near Qamdo. |
Ngari in western Tibet, and western Nagqu in northern Tibet |
0.23 person per square km in the Ngari area; and less in the northern part of the Changtang Grasslands, known as a no-man's land. |
You could travel 100 km and never see a single soul. |