The population of the Pangong Tso region is exceptionally sparse. Given the extreme environment and lack of arable land, human settlement is limited to a handful of small villages along the lake's western shores. The permanent civilian population on the Indian side is estimated at fewer than 1,000 individuals, spread across hamlets like Spangmik, Man, Merak, and Kakstet.
The local inhabitants are predominantly of Tibetan descent, practicing Tibetan Buddhism. The primary community is the Changpa, a semi-nomadic group known for their resilience in the harsh climate. The gender ratio is roughly balanced among the permanent population, though the large, transient military presence in the region creates a heavy male demographic skew overall. Education and income levels in these villages historically trended low, but the recent tourism boom has drastically increased local incomes and living standards. Ladakhi and Tibetan are the most common languages spoken natively, with Hindi and English used to communicate with tourists and the military.