Quick facts
Palestine population overview
Palestine is the 38th most populous of 52 countries and territories in Asia. The United Nations put the population at 5,639,598 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +1.9% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 293 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 143,246 births (25.4 per 1,000 people) and 16,355 deaths (2.9 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 19,739 people. The infant mortality rate is 10.6 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 1,978,248 in 1990 to 5,413,596 in 2025 — a change of +173.7%, or +2.9% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 20.3 years; life expectancy at birth is 77.4 years; women have on average 3.3 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 37.6% of residents are under 15 and 3.9% are 65 or older (2025); 87.4% of people live in urban areas (2025).
Palestine covers 6,025 km², giving a population density of about 950 people per km². GDP was $17.17B in 2025 — about $3,171 per person (World Bank classification: lower middle income).
Palestine population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 5,725,049 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 5,639,598 |
| World rank | #119 of 238 |
| Rank in Asia | #38 of 52 |
| Share of world population | 0.069% |
| Annual growth rate | +1.9% |
| Births per year est. | 143,246 |
| Deaths per year est. | 16,355 |
| Net migration per year est. | -19,739 |
| Birth rate | 25.4 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 2.9 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 10.6 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 98.5 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 20.3 years |
| Life expectancy | 77.4 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 3.3 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 87.4% |
| Surface area 2023 | 6,025 km² |
| Population density | 950 per km² |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $17.17B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $3,171 |
| Income group World Bank | Lower middle income |
Palestine population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 5,725,049 | – | – |
| 2025 | 5,413,596 | +124,444 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | 5,289,152 | +123,377 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | 5,165,775 | +122,163 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | 5,043,612 | +120,863 | +2.5% |
| 2021 | 4,922,749 | +119,480 | +2.5% |
| 2020 | 4,803,269 | +533,177 | +2.4% |
| 2015 | 4,270,092 | +483,931 | +2.4% |
| 2010 | 3,786,161 | +465,765 | +2.7% |
| 2005 | 3,320,396 | +398,243 | +2.6% |
| 2000 | 2,922,153 | +447,487 | +3.4% |
| 1995 | 2,474,666 | +496,418 | +4.6% |
| 1990 | 1,978,248 | – | – |
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 Palestine
Population over time
- From 1,978,248 in 1990 to 5,725,049 today — up 189.4%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +2.4% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 69.2 years (2024), up 1.4 years since 1990.
- Fertility: 3.3 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 26.5 births vs 5.9 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 20.6 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 37.6% of the population is under 15 and 3.9% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has shrunk from 3.9% in 1960 — the population is getting younger.
Energy use & renewables
- Renewables supplied 15.4% of final energy in 2022 (-6.7 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 1.7% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 1.5% to 1.7% since 1990 — roughly 11 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 87.4% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 44.2% in 1960 (+43.2 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1966.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: medium–high — freshwater withdrawals are 41.2% of renewable internal resources (2021, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 165 m³ in 2021, down 59.8% since 1990.
Economy
- GDP: $17.17B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 22.9% since 2015.
- That works out to $3,171 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 24.4% of the labor force (2022, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 9.8% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 86.6% of people used the internet in 2023.
- Mobile subscriptions: 76.7 per 100 people (2023).
Palestine in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Palestine in 2026?
As of October 2026, Palestine has an estimated population of 5,725,049. The United Nations estimated 5,639,598 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +1.9% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Palestine growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +1.9% per year — roughly 293 more people every day. Each year there are about 143,246 births and 16,355 deaths, with net migration of -19,739.
What is the population density of Palestine?
About 950 people per square kilometre: 5,725,049 people living on 6,025 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Palestine?
The median age is 20.3 years, and life expectancy at birth is 77.4 years. 37.6% of the population is under 15 and 3.9% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Palestine rank by population?
Palestine is the 119th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 38th in Asia, with 0.069% of the global population.
How has the population of Palestine changed over time?
In 1990 the population was 1,978,248; by 2025 it had grown to 5,413,596 (+173.7%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
Explore more
India
China
Indonesia
Pakistan
Norway
Finland
Central African Republic
OmanSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+1.9%); 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.