The total population of the district is 562,387 as projected for 1995 by the National Institute of Poplulation Studies (NIPS). In 1981 the population was 235,038, which consisted of 127,190 males and 107,848 females. The density was 24 during the period of that census (1995 projection: 57). The household size was 8.1. The total urban population in 1981 was 19,227 comprising of 11,210 males and 8,017 females. Whereas the total population of the rural area was 215,811 consisting of 115,980 males and 99,831 females.

 Urban population was 8.18% of the total population whereas the rural population was 91.82% of the total population during this census period.

 The male female ratio in urban areas was 1.4 and in rural areas it was 1.16.

Source: NIPS (1995), Population Census of 1981

 The total population was 110,720 during the year 1961, which increased to 187,319 in 1972 showing a growth of 69.2%. It further increased to 387,898 in 1981, showing a growth of 107.1% compared to 1972. Comparing the figure 235,038 of 1981 (taking into account the revised area of the district without Barkhan and Musa Khel districts) with NIPS projected figure 562,387 for 1995, the growth comes at 45% in that period; this means an average annual growth rate of 6.4%.

In traditional and tribal societies the females are usually under reported due to many reasons. Generally the people are reluctant to tell about the female baby because of the tribal set-up. There is no record of birth and death rate at district level.

According to 1981 census report, the population of infants (i.e. below 1 year) was 2.8 percent. The children below 5 years and below 15 years were 15 and 47 percent respectively. The adult population (i.e. 18 years and above) was 48 percent and population eligible to vote (i.e. 21 years and above) was 41 percent. The women of the child bearing age (i.e. 15 - 49 years) made up 40 percent of all females.

Source: Population Census of 1981

The average household²⁷ size in the district is 8.1. This large household size can be attributed to the joint family system. Behind the joint family system are a number of factors such as tradition, customs, tribal homogeneity, kinship, close family marriages and poverty. This trend is less intense in urban areas. The trend is rather towards nuclear family in urban areas, as people are more educated and prosperous. Besides, the nature of the work in rural areas is such that more helping hands are needed at the farm, whereas they are more independent in the urban areas.

Some 47% of the total population consists of the age group of below 15 years and 2% above 60 years of age, showing that almost 49% of the total population is depending on the other 51% population of the age group between 15 to 60 years according to 1981 census. It is assumed that the same ratio is valid for 1995.

The adult population of (15 years and above) was 279,400 out of which 188,776 (67.56%) were married. Of the others 28.29% were not married, widowers amounted to a total of 4.05%, while 0.09% were divorced.

The rural population according to the 1981 census was 215,811, whereas the urban population was 19,227. Urban population was 8.18% of the total population and rural population was 91.82% of the total population. Lack of employment opportunities in rural areas forces people to migrate to urban areas.

The population is mostly concentrated around Loralai, Duki and Sinjavi towns. The other areas are very sparsely populated. The density of population was 24 per square kilometre during 1981 (1995 projected: 57).

The population of the district consist of heterogenous tribes, but their language, customs and tradition are more or less the same, except for a few other tribes. The major tribes are, Kakar, Luni, Tareen, Nasir, and Nasar, the other tribes are Shadozai, Dumer, Humzazai, Utmankhail, Sarghah, Zakhpal, Jogazai, Jalazai, Vanchi, and Peechi.

According to 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% speak Balochi and the remaining 5% are other languages spoken.

Since the census of 1991 has not taken place, the exact nature and extent of migration is not known. However one can say from the rural urban migration trends from the past census reports that people have moved to urban areas in search of employment. Besides in-migration has also taken place in the district due to the war in Afghanistan. People also migrate from hilly to plain areas in summer and vice versa in winter in search of rangelands.

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