Quick facts
Nauru population overview
Nauru is the 19th most populous of 23 countries and territories in Oceania. The United Nations put the population at 12,875 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +0.6% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 0 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 304 births (23.6 per 1,000 people) and 99 deaths (7.7 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 118 people. The infant mortality rate is 19.5 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 4,607 in 1960 to 12,025 in 2025 — a change of +161%, or +1.5% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 20.2 years; life expectancy at birth is 62.6 years; women have on average 3.3 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 37.2% of residents are under 15 and 3% are 65 or older (2025); 100% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Yaren District. Nauru covers 20 km², giving a population density of about 647 people per km². GDP was $176.04M in 2025 — about $14,640 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Nauru population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 12,940 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 12,875 |
| World rank | #228 of 238 |
| Rank in Oceania | #19 of 23 |
| Share of world population | less than 0.001% |
| Annual growth rate | +0.6% |
| Births per year est. | 304 |
| Deaths per year est. | 99 |
| Net migration per year est. | -118 |
| Birth rate | 23.6 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 7.7 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 19.5 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 103.5 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 20.2 years |
| Life expectancy | 62.6 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 3.3 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 100% |
| Surface area 2023 | 20 km² |
| Population density | 647 per km² |
| Capital | Yaren District |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $176.04M |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $14,640 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Nauru population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 12,940 | – | – |
| 2025 | 12,025 | +78 | +0.7% |
| 2024 | 11,947 | +72 | +0.6% |
| 2023 | 11,875 | +74 | +0.6% |
| 2022 | 11,801 | +92 | +0.8% |
| 2021 | 11,709 | +66 | +0.6% |
| 2020 | 11,643 | +689 | +1.2% |
| 2015 | 10,954 | +911 | +1.8% |
| 2010 | 10,043 | -6 | 0% |
| 2005 | 10,049 | -119 | -0.2% |
| 2000 | 10,168 | +3 | +0% |
| 1995 | 10,165 | +543 | +1.1% |
| 1990 | 9,622 | +1,071 | +2.4% |
| 1985 | 8,551 | +902 | +2.3% |
| 1980 | 7,649 | +662 | +1.8% |
| 1975 | 6,987 | +277 | +0.8% |
| 1970 | 6,710 | +878 | +2.8% |
| 1965 | 5,832 | +1,225 | +4.8% |
| 1960 | 4,607 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Nauru
Population over time
- From 4,607 in 1960 to 12,940 today — up 180.9%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +0.9% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 62.3 years (2024), up 4.4 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 3.3 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 24.6 births vs 7.6 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 17 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 37.2% of the population is under 15 and 3% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has shrunk from 3.9% in 1960 — the population is getting younger.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 0 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions are at or near their historical peak.
- Per person: 0 t in 2024, vs 0 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Renewables supplied 1.9% of final energy in 2022 (+1.9 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 0% of land area (2023).
- Cover has been essentially stable since 1990 (+0 points).
Urban population (% of total)
- 100% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 100% in 1960 (+0 points).
- Majority-urban for the whole period covered.
Water resources & stress
- Renewable freshwater per person: 847 m³ in 2022, down 57.8% since 1962.
Economy
- GDP: $176.04M in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 107.4% since 2015.
- That works out to $14,640 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Consumer-price inflation: -0.1% in 2012.
Internet & mobile
- 83% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 87.2 per 100 people (2022).
Nauru in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Nauru in 2026?
As of October 2026, Nauru has an estimated population of 12,940. The United Nations estimated 12,875 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +0.6% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Nauru growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +0.6% per year — roughly 0 more people every day. Each year there are about 304 births and 99 deaths, with net migration of -118.
What is the population density of Nauru?
About 647 people per square kilometre: 12,940 people living on 20 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Nauru?
The median age is 20.2 years, and life expectancy at birth is 62.6 years. 37.2% of the population is under 15 and 3% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Nauru rank by population?
Nauru is the 228th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 19th in Oceania, with less than 0.001% of the global population.
How has the population of Nauru changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 4,607; by 2025 it had grown to 12,025 (+161%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
Explore more
Australia
Papua New Guinea
New Zealand
Fiji
Saint Barthélemy
Wallis and Futuna
Cook Islands
TuvaluSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+0.6%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.