The population of Palau is expected to decrease by 49 in 2026 and reach 17,564 in 2027. Migration (including immigration and emigration) decreases population by 22 people yearly. On average there are 187 births and 216 deaths in Palau per year. The population density of Palau has changed from 26.7 in 1980 to 38.5 in 2024.
| Current population | 17,572 people at present (Tuesday 3rd of November 2026) | |
| Median Age | 38.9 years |
| Life expectancy | 69.6 years | |
| Population density | 38.3 per km2 |
| Year | Population | Year change | Migrants | Median age | Fertility rate | Density (Ppl/km2) | Urban population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 17,614 | -49 (-0.3%) | -22 | 38.9 | 1.85 | 38 | 13,981 (79.4%) |
| 2025 | 17,663 | -32 (-0.2%) | -16 | 38.6 | 1.87 | 38 | 14,004 (79.3%) |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 (0.0%) | -14 | 38.3 | 1.88 | 38 | 14,016 (79.2%) |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 (0.0%) | -19 | 38.1 | 1.91 | 39 | 14,031 (79.2%) |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 (0.0%) | -20 | 37.8 | 1.93 | 39 | 14,050 (79.1%) |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 (0.0%) | -21 | 37.5 | 1.95 | 39 | 14,064 (79.1%) |
| 2020 | 17,792 | -6 (0.0%) | 0 | 37.2 | 1.97 | 39 | 14,070 (79.1%) |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 (0.0%) | -46 | 36.9 | 1.98 | 39 | 14,110 (79.3%) |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 (0.0%) | -35 | 36.5 | 1.97 | 39 | 14,171 (79.6%) |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 (0.0%) | -33 | 36.2 | 2.02 | 39 | 14,219 (79.8%) |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 (0.0%) | -35 | 35.8 | 2.06 | 39 | 14,257 (80.1%) |
| 2015 | 17,770 | 55 (0.3%) | -11 | 35.5 | 2.00 | 39 | 14,285 (80.4%) |
| 2010 | 18,396 | -313 (-1.7%) | -392 | 33.9 | 1.94 | 40 | 14,839 (80.7%) |
| 2005 | 19,819 | -1 (0.0%) | -250 | 32.3 | 2.02 | 43 | 15,374 (77.6%) |
| 2000 | 19,178 | 277 (1.4%) | 120 | 31.2 | 1.82 | 42 | 13,346 (69.6%) |
| 1995 | 17,195 | 425 (2.5%) | 258 | 29.1 | 2.55 | 37 | 12,276 (71.4%) |
| 1990 | 15,259 | 314 (2.1%) | 156 | 28.2 | 2.88 | 33 | 10,610 (69.5%) |
| 1985 | 13,688 | 351 (2.6%) | 179 | 25.9 | 3.01 | 30 | 9,279 (67.8%) |
| 1980 | 12,271 | -66 (-0.5%) | -179 | 24.6 | 3.35 | 27 | 7,669 (62.5%) |
| 1975 | 12,655 | -32 (-0.3%) | -296 | 23.3 | 4.90 | 28 | 7,736 (61.1%) |
| 1970 | 11,368 | 209 (1.8%) | 54 | 22.6 | 6.39 | 25 | 6,631 (58.3%) |
| 1965 | 10,547 | 255 (2.4%) | -16 | 22.0 | 7.01 | 23 | 5,528 (52.4%) |
| 1960 | 9,328 | 227 (2.4%) | -70 | 22.9 | 7.19 | 20 | 4,095 (43.9%) |
In 2025 the population of Palau was 17,663 and the average age increased from 22.9 in 1960 to 38.6. Urban population has increased from 13,346 (69.6%) in 2000 to 13,981 (79.4%) in the current year. The population density of Palau has changed from 26.7 in 1980 to 38.5 in 2024.
| Year | Population | Year change | Migrants | Median age | Fertility rate | Density (Ppl/km2) | Urban population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | 0 (0.0%) | 0 | 37.2 | 1.97 | 39 | 14,070 (79.1%) |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 (0.0%) | -16 | 38.6 | 1.87 | 38 | 14,004 (79.3%) |
| 2030 | 17,376 | -63 (-0.4%) | -19 | 40.0 | 1.79 | 38 | 13,894 (80.0%) |
| 2035 | 17,015 | -77 (-0.5%) | -6 | 41.0 | 1.75 | 37 | 13,827 (81.3%) |
| 2040 | 16,602 | -89 (-0.5%) | 1 | 41.6 | 1.74 | 36 | 13,834 (83.3%) |
| 2045 | 16,089 | -111 (-0.7%) | -8 | 42.0 | 1.73 | 35 | 13,887 (86.3%) |
| 2050 | 15,518 | -115 (-0.7%) | -7 | 42.2 | 1.72 | 34 | 14,022 (90.4%) |
The life expectancy at birth should reach 72.3 (69.8 years for male and 75.5 years for females). Population density will go up to 33.7 people per square kilometer.
The population growth rate is minus 0.28% (32 residents, including 208 deaths). The demographics of Palau constitutes of 8,149 women and 9,465 men, which means there are 1,162 men per 1000 women. As far as age distribution goes, 24.5% of population (4,308) is 19 or younger, 63.2% of population (11,132) is between age 20 and 64 and 12.3% of population (2,174) is over 65.