Population of Palau

As of May 2026, the population of Palau is 18 thousand. The number of inhabitants has decreased by 22 in the last year, representing a decline of 0.07%. The median age of the population has increased in recent years, rising from 35.1 years in 2016 to 35.8 years in 2026. Currently, life expectancy at birth is 66.1 years and population density is 39.2 inhabitants per square kilometer.

Population Growth

The population growth rate of Palau peaked in 1972, reaching around 3.63% annually, but has since declined to approximately -0.12% in 2026. The annual increase in the number of people has also decreased from a peak of around 570 in 1996 to nearly -22 in 2026.

Life Expectancy

Life expectancy at birth has decreased in Palau, with the indicator dropping from 66.7 years in 2006 to 66.1 years in 2026, representing a decrease of almost 1 year over the past 2 decades.

Most populous cities in Palau

The cities of Palau are small, with the 5 most populated adding up to around 31.7 thousand inhabitants. The most populous city is Koror, with approximately 14 thousand inhabitants. It is followed by Koror Town, Koror with 12.7 thousand and Medalaii Hamlet, Koror with 2.3 thousand.

These are the 20 most populous cities in Palau: