Quick facts
Palau population overview
Palau is the 17th most populous of 23 countries and territories in Oceania. The United Nations put the population at 18,453 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of -0.3% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 0 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 194 births (10.5 per 1,000 people) and 225 deaths (12.2 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 22 people. The infant mortality rate is 16.9 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 9,328 in 1960 to 17,663 in 2025 — a change of +89.4%, or +1% per year on average. It peaked at 19,820 in 2004 and has declined 7.1% since.
Demographically, the median age is 38.9 years; life expectancy at birth is 69.6 years; women have on average 1.9 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 17.9% of residents are under 15 and 11.8% are 65 or older (2025); 79.3% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Koror. Palau covers 460 km², giving a population density of about 40 people per km². GDP was $345.00M in 2025 — about $19,532 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Palau population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 18,408 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 18,453 |
| World rank | #225 of 238 |
| Rank in Oceania | #17 of 23 |
| Share of world population | less than 0.001% |
| Annual growth rate | -0.3% |
| Births per year est. | 194 |
| Deaths per year est. | 225 |
| Net migration per year est. | -22 |
| Birth rate | 10.5 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 12.2 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 16.9 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 116.2 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 38.9 years |
| Life expectancy | 69.6 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.9 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 79.3% |
| Surface area 2023 | 460 km² |
| Population density | 40 per km² |
| Capital | Koror |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $345.00M |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $19,532 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Palau population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 18,408 | – | – |
| 2025 | 17,663 | -32 | -0.2% |
| 2024 | 17,695 | -32 | -0.2% |
| 2023 | 17,727 | -32 | -0.2% |
| 2022 | 17,759 | -24 | -0.1% |
| 2021 | 17,783 | -9 | -0.1% |
| 2020 | 17,792 | +22 | +0% |
| 2015 | 17,770 | -626 | -0.7% |
| 2010 | 18,396 | -1,423 | -1.5% |
| 2005 | 19,819 | +641 | +0.7% |
| 2000 | 19,178 | +1,983 | +2.2% |
| 1995 | 17,195 | +1,936 | +2.4% |
| 1990 | 15,259 | +1,571 | +2.2% |
| 1985 | 13,688 | +1,417 | +2.2% |
| 1980 | 12,271 | -384 | -0.6% |
| 1975 | 12,655 | +1,287 | +2.2% |
| 1970 | 11,368 | +821 | +1.5% |
| 1965 | 10,547 | +1,219 | +2.5% |
| 1960 | 9,328 | – | – |
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 Palau
Population over time
- From 9,328 in 1960 to 18,408 today — up 97.3%.
- Population peaked at 19,820 in 2004 and is down 7.1% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: -0.1% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 69.4 years (2024), up 14.5 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.9 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 10.7 births vs 11.7 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Deaths outnumber births — natural decrease of 1 per 1,000 a year.
Age structure
- 17.9% of the population is under 15 and 11.8% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 4.9% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 1.47 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 3.6 Mt in 2012 — down 59.3% since.
- Per person: 82.84 t in 2024, vs 175.5 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Renewables supplied 0.9% of final energy in 2022 (+0.9 points since 1992).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 90.5% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 83.2% to 90.5% since 1991 — roughly 34 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 79.3% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 43.9% in 1960 (+35.4 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1964.
Economy
- GDP: $345.00M in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 21.8% since 2015.
- That works out to $19,532 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Consumer-price inflation: -0.4% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 83.9% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 135.4 per 100 people (2023) — more subscriptions than people.
Palau in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Palau in 2026?
As of October 2026, Palau has an estimated population of 18,408. The United Nations estimated 18,453 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the -0.3% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Palau growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at -0.3% per year — roughly 0 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 194 births and 225 deaths, with net migration of -22.
What is the population density of Palau?
About 40 people per square kilometre: 18,408 people living on 460 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Palau?
The median age is 38.9 years, and life expectancy at birth is 69.6 years. 17.9% of the population is under 15 and 11.8% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Palau rank by population?
Palau is the 225th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 17th in Oceania, with less than 0.001% of the global population.
How has the population of Palau changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 9,328; by 2025 it had grown to 17,663 (+89.4%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
Explore more
Australia
Papua New Guinea
New Zealand
Fiji
Anguilla
Cook Islands
Nauru
Saint BarthélemySources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (-0.3%); 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.