Palau Population
East Asia & Pacific · 215th most populous · High income
Population right now (estimate)
17,598
The population of Palau is about 17,598 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 18 thousand for 2026 as a whole — 0.00% of the world's people.
Palau is ranked 215th of 217 by population. The population is shrinking, by about 0.28% a year. It peaked around 2004 at 20 thousand and is projected to fall to 16 thousand by 2050. Since 1960 (9,328) it has grown by 89%. Population density is 38 people per square kilometre. 79% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
18 thousand
Yearly change
−0.28%
World rank
215th
Share of world
0.00%
Density
38/km²
Land area
460 km²
Life expectancy
69.4 yrs
Births per woman
1.88
GDP per capita
$19,532
GDP
$0.3B
Population of Palau, 1960–2050
Palau population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 9,328 | — | 20 |
| 1970 | 11,368 | +1.87% | 25 |
| 1980 | 12,271 | −0.53% | 27 |
| 1990 | 15,259 | +2.10% | 33 |
| 2000 | 19,178 | +1.47% | 42 |
| 2010 | 18,396 | −1.67% | 40 |
| 2020 | 17,792 | −0.03% | 39 |
| 2024 | 17,695 | −0.18% | 38 |
| 2026proj. | 17,614 | −0.28% | 38 |
| 2030proj. | 17,376 | −0.36% | 38 |
| 2040proj. | 16,602 | −0.53% | 36 |
| 2050proj. | 15,518 | −0.74% | 34 |
Palau vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 10,095 times as many people as Palau. Bangladesh is 35.7 times more densely populated.
Palau population: questions and answers
What is the population of Palau in 2026?
About 17,614 (18 thousand), based on World Bank projections.
Is Palau's population growing?
No — it is falling by about 0.28% a year (2026).
What is the population density of Palau?
About 38 people per km², with a land area of 460 km².
What will the population of Palau be in 2050?
About 16 thousand on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of Palau?
Ngerulmud.
What is the life expectancy in Palau?
69.4 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.