Quick facts
Tuvalu population overview
Tuvalu is the 21st most populous of 23 countries and territories in Oceania. The United Nations put the population at 10,232 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of -1.2% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 0 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 210 births (20.5 per 1,000 people) and 96 deaths (9.4 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 246 people. The infant mortality rate is 15.1 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 5,598 in 1960 to 9,492 in 2025 — a change of +69.6%, or +0.8% per year on average. It peaked at 11,001 in 2013 and has declined 7.9% since.
Demographically, the median age is 24.1 years; life expectancy at birth is 67.6 years; women have on average 3.2 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 33% of residents are under 15 and 7% are 65 or older (2025); 65.4% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Funafuti. Tuvalu covers 30 km², giving a population density of about 338 people per km². GDP was $57.35M in 2025 — about $6,041 per person (World Bank classification: upper middle income).
Tuvalu population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 10,130 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 10,232 |
| World rank | #231 of 238 |
| Rank in Oceania | #21 of 23 |
| Share of world population | less than 0.001% |
| Annual growth rate | -1.2% |
| Births per year est. | 210 |
| Deaths per year est. | 96 |
| Net migration per year est. | -246 |
| Birth rate | 20.5 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 9.4 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 15.1 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 105 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 24.1 years |
| Life expectancy | 67.6 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 3.2 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 65.4% |
| Surface area 2023 | 30 km² |
| Population density | 338 per km² |
| Capital | Funafuti |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $57.35M |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $6,041 |
| Income group World Bank | Upper middle income |
Tuvalu population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 10,130 | – | – |
| 2025 | 9,492 | -154 | -1.6% |
| 2024 | 9,646 | -170 | -1.7% |
| 2023 | 9,816 | -176 | -1.8% |
| 2022 | 9,992 | -202 | -2% |
| 2021 | 10,194 | -205 | -2% |
| 2020 | 10,399 | -564 | -1.1% |
| 2015 | 10,963 | +349 | +0.6% |
| 2010 | 10,614 | +674 | +1.3% |
| 2005 | 9,940 | +396 | +0.8% |
| 2000 | 9,544 | +264 | +0.6% |
| 1995 | 9,280 | +482 | +1.1% |
| 1990 | 8,798 | +752 | +1.8% |
| 1985 | 8,046 | +680 | +1.8% |
| 1980 | 7,366 | +1,249 | +3.8% |
| 1975 | 6,117 | +454 | +1.6% |
| 1970 | 5,663 | -52 | -0.2% |
| 1965 | 5,715 | +117 | +0.4% |
| 1960 | 5,598 | – | – |
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 Tuvalu
Population over time
- From 5,598 in 1960 to 10,130 today — up 81%.
- Population peaked at 11,001 in 2013 and is down 7.9% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: -1.4% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 67.3 years (2024), up 19 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 3.2 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 22 births vs 9.3 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 12.7 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 33% of the population is under 15 and 7% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 4% in 1960 — the population is aging.
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 5.2% of final energy in 2022 (+5.2 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 33.3% of land area (2023).
- Cover has been essentially stable since 1990 (+0 points).
Urban population (% of total)
- 65.4% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 12.4% in 1960 (+53.1 points).
- Became majority-urban around 2006.
Economy
- GDP: $57.35M in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 56% since 2015.
- That works out to $6,041 per person.
Internet & mobile
- 35.2% of people used the internet in 2017.
- Mobile subscriptions: 98.9 per 100 people (2022).
Tuvalu in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Tuvalu in 2026?
As of October 2026, Tuvalu has an estimated population of 10,130. The United Nations estimated 10,232 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the -1.2% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Tuvalu growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at -1.2% per year — roughly 0 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 210 births and 96 deaths, with net migration of -246.
What is the population density of Tuvalu?
About 338 people per square kilometre: 10,130 people living on 30 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Tuvalu?
The median age is 24.1 years, and life expectancy at birth is 67.6 years. 33% of the population is under 15 and 7% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Tuvalu rank by population?
Tuvalu is the 231st most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 21st in Oceania, with less than 0.001% of the global population.
How has the population of Tuvalu changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 5,598; by 2025 it had grown to 9,492 (+69.6%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
Explore more
Australia
Papua New Guinea
New Zealand
Fiji
Wallis and Futuna
Saint Barthélemy
Nauru
Cook IslandsSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (-1.2%); 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.