Nauru Population
East Asia & Pacific · 216th most populous · High income
Population right now (estimate)
12,130
The population of Nauru is about 12,130 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 12 thousand for 2026 as a whole — 0.00% of the world's people.
Nauru is ranked 216th of 217 by population. The population is still growing, by about 0.63% a year. By 2050 it is projected to reach about 16 thousand. That is 2.6 times its 1960 population of 4,607. Population density is 576 people per square kilometre. 100% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
12 thousand
Yearly change
+0.63%
World rank
216th
Share of world
0.00%
Density
576/km²
Land area
21 km²
Life expectancy
62.3 yrs
Births per woman
3.29
GDP per capita
$14,640
GDP
$0.2B
Population of Nauru, 1960–2050
Nauru population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 4,607 | — | 219 |
| 1970 | 6,710 | +1.96% | 320 |
| 1980 | 7,649 | +2.42% | 364 |
| 1990 | 9,622 | +2.47% | 458 |
| 2000 | 10,168 | −0.19% | 484 |
| 2010 | 10,043 | +0.27% | 478 |
| 2020 | 11,643 | +0.48% | 554 |
| 2024 | 11,947 | +0.61% | 569 |
| 2026proj. | 12,101 | +0.63% | 576 |
| 2030proj. | 12,521 | +0.96% | 596 |
| 2040proj. | 14,039 | +1.27% | 669 |
| 2050proj. | 15,758 | +1.01% | 750 |
Nauru vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 14,694 times as many people as Nauru. Bangladesh is 2.4 times more densely populated.
Nauru population: questions and answers
What is the population of Nauru in 2026?
About 12,101 (12 thousand), based on World Bank projections.
Is Nauru's population growing?
Yes, by about 0.63% a year (2026).
What is the population density of Nauru?
About 576 people per km², with a land area of 21 km².
What will the population of Nauru be in 2050?
About 16 thousand on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of Nauru?
Yaren District.
What is the life expectancy in Nauru?
62.3 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.