Population of Palau

As of May 2025, the population of Palau is 18 thousand. The number of inhabitants has decreased by 3 in the last year, representing a decline of 0.04%. The median age of the population has increased in recent years, rising from 34.8 years in 2015 to 35.9 years in 2025. Currently, life expectancy at birth is 65.9 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 -0.02% in 2025. The annual increase in the number of people has also decreased from a peak of around 570 in 1996 to nearly -3 in 2025.

Life Expectancy

Life expectancy at birth has decreased in Palau, with the indicator dropping from 67 years in 2005 to 65.9 years in 2025, representing a decrease of more than 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: