Population of Palau

As of July 2026, the population of Palau is 17.6 thousand. The number of inhabitants has decreased by 53 in the last year, representing a decline of 0.28%. The median age of the population has increased in recent years, rising from 35.3 years in 2016 to 38.9 years in 2026. Currently, life expectancy at birth is 69.6 years and population density is 38.3 inhabitants per square kilometer.

Population Growth

The population growth rate of Palau peaked in 1971, reaching around 3.76% annually, but has since declined to approximately -0.3% in 2026. The annual increase in the number of people has also decreased from a peak of around 474 in 1996 to nearly -53 in 2026.

Life Expectancy

In Palau, life expectancy at birth has been increasing, with the indicator rising from 66.6 years in 2006 to 69.6 years in 2026, representing an increase de 3 years 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: