The total population of the district is 147,599 as projected by NIPS for 1995²¹. In 1981 the population was 61,686, comprising 32,207 men and 29,479 women. The population density was 18/sq. km at the time of the 1981 census. The average household size was 7.5. The total urban population was 8,000, comprising 4,453 men and 3,547 women. The urban population was 13,0% of the total population. The male/female ratio in urban areas was 1.3 and in rural area it was 1.07.

Source: District Census Report, 1981; NIPS

 The total population of the district was 30,000, during the year 1961, which increased to 45,000 in the year 1972, showing a growth of 50%. The population further increased to 61,686 in 1981, showing a growth of 37.08% compare to 1972. Comparing the projected figure of 147,599 for 1995 (NIPS) with 1981 figure the growth comes at 139%. The average annual growth rate in the period from 1981 to 1995 comes at 6.4%.

 Underreporting of females is a common phenomenon in traditional and tribal societies. The people are reluctant to give the names of their female family members. The records of birth and death are not kept in the district by any institution.

According to the 1981 census report, children below 5 years of age made out 16.63% of the total population. Children above 5 years and below 15 years comprised 30.5% of the total population. The adult population (i.e. 15 years and above) was 52.9%. The women of child bearing age (i.e. 15 - 49 years) were 39% of all females.

Source: Population Census Report, 1981

The average household size in the district in 1981 was 7.5. Because of the joint family system and economic dependency, the household sizes are large. Beside, other factors like tradition, tribal homogeneity and close family marriages are responsible for the large household size. In urban areas (Barkhan town) the trend is towards nucleus family among the educated class. Economic independence in urban areas also contributed towards having a nucleus family.

The population of the age group below 15 years is 47%, whereas the group over 60 years of age is 6,6%, according to 1981 census. The adult population of (15 years and above) was 33,125. The total number of married people was 25,483, which is 77.0% of the adult population, 5% was widowed and 0.05% was divorced.

The rural population consist of 87.03%, 53,696 persons, of the total population of 61,686 (1981). Lack of employment opportunities in rural areas forces the rural population to migrate to urban areas though.

The population is mostly concentrated in Barkhan and surrounding areas. The northern area of Barkhan district is very thinly populated. Most of the population resides in the south of the district.

The population of the district consist of various tribes, but their language, customs and tradition are more or less the same, except for a few tribes. The major tribes are, Kakar, Luni, Tareen, Nasir, and Nasar. Other tribes are Shadozai, Dumer, Humzazai, Utmankhail, Sarghah, Zakhpal, Jogazai, Jalazai, Vanchi, and Peechi. According to the 1981 census report, out of a total of 28,813 households, the Pashtoo speaking number of household are 25,819, which is 90% of the total households; 5% speaks Balochi and the remaining 5% speaks other languages.

The exact figure of migration is not known, as the census of 1991 has not taken place, however one can say that due to population pressure in rural areas rural-urban migration must have taken place. The possibilities to earn a livelihood in the urban areas of the district is very limited. Therefore, many people migrate to other districts as well.

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