The latest officially reported population of Costa Rica was 5,152,950 in 2025 vs 17,663 people in Palau in 2025. In 2026, based on the adjusted UN estimation, the current Costa Rica's population is 5,186,356 people compared to 17,620 in Palau.
Population statistics:
- Costa Rica's population is 294.3 times bigger than Palau's.
- Costa Rica is ranked the 126th most populous country in the world, while Palau is the 194th.
- The countries together account for 0.06% of the world: 0.06% for Costa Rica vs 0.0002% for Palau.
- For the last 10 years, Costa Rica has had an average growth rate of +0.71% per year vs -0.03% in Palau.
- Since 2006, the population of Costa Rica has increased from 4.32M people to 5.19M (20% growth), while Palau has declined from 19.6K to 17.6K (10.1% decline).
Costa Rica vs Palau: population by year and forecast
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
Costa Rica
|
Palau
|
|
| 2100 | 3,803,678 | 11,146 |
| 2099 | 3,841,913 | 11,210 |
| 2098 | 3,880,484 | 11,275 |
| 2097 | 3,919,475 | 11,346 |
| 2096 | 3,958,826 | 11,411 |
| 2095 | 3,998,552 | 11,479 |
| 2094 | 4,038,516 | 11,543 |
| 2093 | 4,078,807 | 11,610 |
| 2092 | 4,119,351 | 11,676 |
| 2091 | 4,160,111 | 11,747 |
| 2090 | 4,200,989 | 11,823 |
| 2089 | 4,241,888 | 11,901 |
| 2088 | 4,282,758 | 11,962 |
| 2087 | 4,323,650 | 12,034 |
| 2086 | 4,364,399 | 12,103 |
| 2085 | 4,404,935 | 12,165 |
| 2084 | 4,445,179 | 12,245 |
| 2083 | 4,485,048 | 12,310 |
| 2082 | 4,524,570 | 12,376 |
| 2081 | 4,563,658 | 12,451 |
| 2080 | 4,602,126 | 12,531 |
| 2079 | 4,640,060 | 12,602 |
| 2078 | 4,677,313 | 12,674 |
| 2077 | 4,713,901 | 12,751 |
| 2076 | 4,749,678 | 12,831 |
| 2075 | 4,784,723 | 12,907 |
| 2074 | 4,819,050 | 13,000 |
| 2073 | 4,852,492 | 13,084 |
| 2072 | 4,885,078 | 13,154 |
| 2071 | 4,916,792 | 13,245 |
| 2070 | 4,947,655 | 13,332 |
| 2069 | 4,977,764 | 13,424 |
| 2068 | 5,006,939 | 13,518 |
| 2067 | 5,035,207 | 13,614 |
| 2066 | 5,062,849 | 13,716 |
| 2065 | 5,089,797 | 13,811 |
| 2064 | 5,115,866 | 13,913 |
| 2063 | 5,141,239 | 14,018 |
| 2062 | 5,165,574 | 14,129 |
| 2061 | 5,189,146 | 14,244 |
| 2060 | 5,211,857 | 14,350 |
| 2059 | 5,233,370 | 14,471 |
| 2058 | 5,253,830 | 14,581 |
| 2057 | 5,273,143 | 14,710 |
| 2056 | 5,291,310 | 14,830 |
| 2055 | 5,308,124 | 14,954 |
| 2054 | 5,323,598 | 15,077 |
| 2053 | 5,337,707 | 15,198 |
| 2052 | 5,350,263 | 15,324 |
| 2051 | 5,361,152 | 15,445 |
| 2050 | 5,370,484 | 15,554 |
| 2049 | 5,378,189 | 15,674 |
| 2048 | 5,384,366 | 15,789 |
| 2047 | 5,388,962 | 15,904 |
| 2046 | 5,391,996 | 16,015 |
| 2045 | 5,393,493 | 16,123 |
| 2044 | 5,393,407 | 16,237 |
| 2043 | 5,391,873 | 16,331 |
| 2042 | 5,388,912 | 16,437 |
| 2041 | 5,384,386 | 16,541 |
| 2040 | 5,378,629 | 16,623 |
| 2039 | 5,371,473 | 16,719 |
| 2038 | 5,362,904 | 16,797 |
| 2037 | 5,353,217 | 16,886 |
| 2036 | 5,342,317 | 16,955 |
| 2035 | 5,330,286 | 17,033 |
| 2034 | 5,317,189 | 17,109 |
| 2033 | 5,302,930 | 17,181 |
| 2032 | 5,287,714 | 17,241 |
| 2031 | 5,271,514 | 17,321 |
| 2030 | 5,254,366 | 17,389 |
| 2029 | 5,236,206 | 17,448 |
| 2028 | 5,217,031 | 17,518 |
| 2027 | 5,196,723 | 17,567 |
| 2026 | 5,175,408 | 17,620 |
| 2025 | 5,152,950 | 17,663 |
| 2024 | 5,129,910 | 17,695 |
| 2023 | 5,105,525 | 17,727 |
| 2022 | 5,081,765 | 17,759 |
| 2021 | 5,059,988 | 17,783 |
| 2020 | 5,034,320 | 17,792 |
| 2019 | 4,999,553 | 17,798 |
| 2018 | 4,957,818 | 17,814 |
| 2017 | 4,913,177 | 17,812 |
| 2016 | 4,866,998 | 17,797 |
| 2015 | 4,818,038 | 17,770 |
| 2014 | 4,767,119 | 17,715 |
| 2013 | 4,716,147 | 17,648 |
| 2012 | 4,663,934 | 17,765 |
| 2011 | 4,609,833 | 18,078 |
| 2010 | 4,555,962 | 18,396 |
| 2009 | 4,499,791 | 18,709 |
| 2008 | 4,440,056 | 19,009 |
| 2007 | 4,380,248 | 19,302 |
| 2006 | 4,321,340 | 19,593 |
| 2005 | 4,261,240 | 19,819 |
| 2004 | 4,200,078 | 19,820 |
| 2003 | 4,138,784 | 19,659 |
| 2002 | 4,075,705 | 19,503 |
| 2001 | 4,008,947 | 19,352 |
| 2000 | 3,937,739 | 19,178 |
| 1999 | 3,862,101 | 18,901 |
| 1998 | 3,782,838 | 18,524 |
| 1997 | 3,701,711 | 18,108 |
| 1996 | 3,619,013 | 17,654 |
| 1995 | 3,535,176 | 17,195 |
| 1994 | 3,451,122 | 16,770 |
| 1993 | 3,367,434 | 16,372 |
| 1992 | 3,284,258 | 15,989 |
| 1991 | 3,202,176 | 15,614 |
| 1990 | 3,121,706 | 15,259 |
| 1989 | 3,043,827 | 14,945 |
| 1988 | 2,968,103 | 14,645 |
| 1987 | 2,892,699 | 14,334 |
| 1986 | 2,817,216 | 14,024 |
| 1985 | 2,741,894 | 13,688 |
| 1984 | 2,667,595 | 13,337 |
| 1983 | 2,595,153 | 13,006 |
| 1982 | 2,524,806 | 12,694 |
| 1981 | 2,456,637 | 12,402 |
| 1980 | 2,390,633 | 12,271 |
| 1979 | 2,326,490 | 12,337 |
| 1978 | 2,264,510 | 12,440 |
| 1977 | 2,205,025 | 12,525 |
| 1976 | 2,147,774 | 12,598 |
| 1975 | 2,092,719 | 12,655 |
| 1974 | 2,039,643 | 12,687 |
| 1973 | 1,988,343 | 12,552 |
| 1972 | 1,938,248 | 12,194 |
| 1971 | 1,888,539 | 11,759 |
| 1970 | 1,838,949 | 11,368 |
| 1969 | 1,789,276 | 11,159 |
| 1968 | 1,739,731 | 11,080 |
| 1967 | 1,689,523 | 10,988 |
| 1966 | 1,638,116 | 10,805 |
| 1965 | 1,586,208 | 10,547 |
| 1964 | 1,533,960 | 10,292 |
| 1963 | 1,481,604 | 10,037 |
| 1962 | 1,429,445 | 9,793 |
| 1961 | 1,377,920 | 9,555 |
| 1960 | 1,327,496 | 9,328 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026–2100, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/population/costa-rica/palau | CC BY 
From 2006 to 2016, the population of Costa Rica increased by 545,658 people (a 12.6% growth), while Palau lost 1,796 people (a 9.17% decline).
For the next 10 years, from 2016 to 2026, Costa Rica gained 319,358 people (a 6.56% growth), while Palau's population decreased by 177 people (a 0.99% decline).
Costa Rica was ranked 119th most populous country in 2006 and is 126th in 2026. Palau was ranked 194th in 2006 and still ranked 194th now.
The UN's World Population Prospects forecasts that in 24 years (in 2050) Costa Rica's population will grow by 3.55% to 5,370,484 people with a rank change from 126th to 127th. The population of Palau will decrease by 11.7% to 15,554 people and rank change from 194th to 195th.
Costa Rica is projected to reach its peak in 2045 at 5.39M people, while Palau's population already peaked in 2004 at 19.8K people and is projected to decrease to 11.1K people by 2100.
Population growth rate by year
| Year | Growth rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Costa Rica
|
Palau
|
|
| 2100 | -1% | -0.57% |
| 2099 | -0.99% | -0.58% |
| 2098 | -0.99% | -0.62% |
| 2097 | -0.99% | -0.57% |
| 2096 | -0.99% | -0.59% |
| 2095 | -0.99% | -0.55% |
| 2094 | -0.99% | -0.58% |
| 2093 | -0.98% | -0.56% |
| 2092 | -0.98% | -0.6% |
| 2091 | -0.97% | -0.65% |
| 2090 | -0.96% | -0.65% |
| 2089 | -0.95% | -0.51% |
| 2088 | -0.95% | -0.6% |
| 2087 | -0.93% | -0.57% |
| 2086 | -0.92% | -0.51% |
| 2085 | -0.91% | -0.65% |
| 2084 | -0.89% | -0.53% |
| 2083 | -0.87% | -0.53% |
| 2082 | -0.86% | -0.6% |
| 2081 | -0.84% | -0.64% |
| 2080 | -0.82% | -0.56% |
| 2079 | -0.8% | -0.58% |
| 2078 | -0.78% | -0.6% |
| 2077 | -0.75% | -0.62% |
| 2076 | -0.73% | -0.59% |
| 2075 | -0.71% | -0.71% |
| 2074 | -0.69% | -0.64% |
| 2073 | -0.67% | -0.53% |
| 2072 | -0.65% | -0.69% |
| 2071 | -0.62% | -0.65% |
| 2070 | -0.6% | -0.68% |
| 2069 | -0.58% | -0.7% |
| 2068 | -0.56% | -0.7% |
| 2067 | -0.55% | -0.74% |
| 2066 | -0.53% | -0.69% |
| 2065 | -0.51% | -0.73% |
| 2064 | -0.49% | -0.75% |
| 2063 | -0.47% | -0.78% |
| 2062 | -0.45% | -0.81% |
| 2061 | -0.44% | -0.74% |
| 2060 | -0.41% | -0.84% |
| 2059 | -0.39% | -0.75% |
| 2058 | -0.37% | -0.88% |
| 2057 | -0.34% | -0.81% |
| 2056 | -0.32% | -0.83% |
| 2055 | -0.29% | -0.81% |
| 2054 | -0.26% | -0.8% |
| 2053 | -0.23% | -0.82% |
| 2052 | -0.2% | -0.78% |
| 2051 | -0.17% | -0.7% |
| 2050 | -0.14% | -0.76% |
| 2049 | -0.11% | -0.73% |
| 2048 | -0.09% | -0.72% |
| 2047 | -0.06% | -0.7% |
| 2046 | -0.03% | -0.67% |
| 2045 | 0.002% | -0.7% |
| 2044 | 0.03% | -0.57% |
| 2043 | 0.05% | -0.64% |
| 2042 | 0.08% | -0.63% |
| 2041 | 0.11% | -0.49% |
| 2040 | 0.13% | -0.57% |
| 2039 | 0.16% | -0.46% |
| 2038 | 0.18% | -0.53% |
| 2037 | 0.2% | -0.41% |
| 2036 | 0.23% | -0.46% |
| 2035 | 0.25% | -0.44% |
| 2034 | 0.27% | -0.42% |
| 2033 | 0.29% | -0.35% |
| 2032 | 0.31% | -0.46% |
| 2031 | 0.33% | -0.39% |
| 2030 | 0.35% | -0.34% |
| 2029 | 0.37% | -0.4% |
| 2028 | 0.39% | -0.28% |
| 2027 | 0.41% | -0.3% |
| 2026 | 0.44% | -0.24% |
| 2025 | 0.45% | -0.18% |
| 2024 | 0.48% | -0.18% |
| 2023 | 0.47% | -0.18% |
| 2022 | 0.43% | -0.13% |
| 2021 | 0.51% | -0.05% |
| 2020 | 0.7% | -0.03% |
| 2019 | 0.84% | -0.09% |
| 2018 | 0.91% | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 0.95% | 0.08% |
| 2016 | 1.02% | 0.15% |
| 2015 | 1.07% | 0.31% |
| 2014 | 1.08% | 0.38% |
| 2013 | 1.12% | -0.66% |
| 2012 | 1.17% | -1.73% |
| 2011 | 1.18% | -1.73% |
| 2010 | 1.25% | -1.67% |
| 2009 | 1.35% | -1.58% |
| 2008 | 1.37% | -1.52% |
| 2007 | 1.36% | -1.49% |
| 2006 | 1.41% | -1.14% |
| 2005 | 1.46% | -0.005% |
| 2004 | 1.48% | 0.82% |
| 2003 | 1.55% | 0.8% |
| 2002 | 1.67% | 0.78% |
| 2001 | 1.81% | 0.91% |
| 2000 | 1.96% | 1.47% |
| 1999 | 2.1% | 2.04% |
| 1998 | 2.19% | 2.3% |
| 1997 | 2.29% | 2.57% |
| 1996 | 2.37% | 2.67% |
| 1995 | 2.44% | 2.53% |
| 1994 | 2.49% | 2.43% |
| 1993 | 2.53% | 2.4% |
| 1992 | 2.56% | 2.4% |
| 1991 | 2.58% | 2.33% |
| 1990 | 2.56% | 2.1% |
| 1989 | 2.55% | 2.05% |
| 1988 | 2.61% | 2.17% |
| 1987 | 2.68% | 2.21% |
| 1986 | 2.75% | 2.45% |
| 1985 | 2.79% | 2.63% |
| 1984 | 2.79% | 2.54% |
| 1983 | 2.79% | 2.46% |
| 1982 | 2.77% | 2.35% |
| 1981 | 2.76% | 1.07% |
| 1980 | 2.76% | -0.53% |
| 1979 | 2.74% | -0.83% |
| 1978 | 2.7% | -0.68% |
| 1977 | 2.67% | -0.58% |
| 1976 | 2.63% | -0.45% |
| 1975 | 2.6% | -0.25% |
| 1974 | 2.58% | 1.08% |
| 1973 | 2.58% | 2.94% |
| 1972 | 2.63% | 3.7% |
| 1971 | 2.7% | 3.44% |
| 1970 | 2.78% | 1.87% |
| 1969 | 2.85% | 0.71% |
| 1968 | 2.97% | 0.84% |
| 1967 | 3.14% | 1.69% |
| 1966 | 3.27% | 2.45% |
| 1965 | 3.41% | 2.48% |
| 1964 | 3.53% | 2.54% |
| 1963 | 3.65% | 2.49% |
| 1962 | 3.74% | 2.49% |
| 1961 | 3.8% | 2.43% |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026–2100, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Health (1961–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/population/costa-rica/palau | CC BY
In 2025, the population of Costa Rica grew by 0.45%, while Palau's population declined by 0.18%.
Live population counters
|
Costa Rica
|
Palau
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Current population |
5186356
|
17620
|
| Population rank | 126/197 | 194/197 |
| Percent of world population | 0.06% | 0.0002% |
| One net population change |
22.9 minutes
|
1.63 weeks
|
| One birth every |
10.3 minutes
|
1.93 days
|
| One death every |
18.4 minutes
|
1.76 days
|
| Daily growth/decline | +63 | +0 |
| Annual growth/decline | +23,040 | -32 |
| Annual growth/decline rate | +0.45% | -0.18% |
| Population growth rate rank | 134/197 | 175/197 |
| One migration net change every |
8.78 hours
|
3.27 weeks
|
| Annual migration change | +1,000 | -16 |
| Net migration rank | 63/196 | 78/196 |
| Foreign-born residents | 628,404 | 5,212 |
| Foreign-born residents rank | 75/195 | 184/195 |
| Foreign-born share of population | 12.2% | 29.5% |
| Foreign-born share rank | 55/195 | 19/195 |
Natural population change vs migration
| Year | Population change | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Costa Rica
|
Palau
|
|||
| Natural | Migration | Natural | Migration | |
| 2025 | - | 1,000 | - | -16 |
| 2024 | 22,699 | 967 | -18 | -14 |
| 2023 | 24,109 | 995 | -10 | -19 |
| 2022 | 21,409 | 1,006 | -7 | -20 |
| 2021 | 20,119 | 1,018 | -3 | -21 |
| 2020 | 29,164 | 1,029 | 8 | 0 |
| 2019 | 37,682 | 1,653 | 23 | -46 |
| 2018 | 42,469 | 1,673 | 29 | -35 |
| 2017 | 43,471 | 1,671 | 43 | -33 |
| 2016 | 45,565 | 1,649 | 53 | -35 |
| 2015 | 49,077 | 1,617 | 55 | -11 |
| 2014 | 49,559 | 1,589 | 73 | -7 |
| 2013 | 49,227 | 1,579 | 88 | -28 |
| 2012 | 52,036 | 1,587 | 86 | -387 |
| 2011 | 52,884 | 1,695 | 83 | -405 |
| 2010 | 50,803 | 2,357 | 81 | -392 |
| 2009 | 55,757 | 3,432 | 81 | -382 |
| 2008 | 56,491 | 3,794 | 79 | -378 |
| 2007 | 55,244 | 4,080 | 80 | -372 |
| 2006 | 54,177 | 4,321 | 79 | -365 |
| 2005 | 57,139 | 4,567 | 80 | -250 |
| 2004 | 55,769 | 4,856 | 83 | 79 |
| 2003 | 56,743 | 5,216 | 86 | 71 |
| 2002 | 58,388 | 5,812 | 88 | 67 |
| 2001 | 62,199 | 7,119 | 88 | 65 |
| 2000 | 64,268 | 8,826 | 85 | 120 |
| 1999 | 64,922 | 13,253 | 100 | 243 |
| 1998 | 64,788 | 15,556 | 116 | 280 |
| 1997 | 64,954 | 16,954 | 140 | 297 |
| 1996 | 66,094 | 17,393 | 166 | 312 |
| 1995 | 67,585 | 16,609 | 186 | 258 |
| 1994 | 68,336 | 15,587 | 195 | 211 |
| 1993 | 69,016 | 14,431 | 196 | 193 |
| 1992 | 69,830 | 13,069 | 183 | 193 |
| 1991 | 70,506 | 10,757 | 175 | 193 |
| 1990 | 71,727 | 7,949 | 181 | 156 |
| 1989 | 72,327 | 3,758 | 185 | 113 |
| 1988 | 72,944 | 2,414 | 183 | 126 |
| 1987 | 73,188 | 2,267 | 182 | 125 |
| 1986 | 73,211 | 2,302 | 182 | 135 |
| 1985 | 72,776 | 2,357 | 181 | 179 |
| 1984 | 71,062 | 2,402 | 181 | 157 |
| 1983 | 68,972 | 2,449 | 176 | 144 |
| 1982 | 66,826 | 2,453 | 170 | 132 |
| 1981 | 64,632 | 2,431 | 161 | 120 |
| 1980 | 62,561 | 2,387 | 165 | -179 |
| 1979 | 60,984 | 2,349 | 176 | -291 |
| 1978 | 58,327 | 2,296 | 193 | -285 |
| 1977 | 56,122 | 2,228 | 213 | -292 |
| 1976 | 54,019 | 2,129 | 236 | -296 |
| 1975 | 51,979 | 1,992 | 249 | -296 |
| 1974 | 50,349 | 1,839 | 256 | -282 |
| 1973 | 48,943 | 1,468 | 268 | 22 |
| 1972 | 48,417 | 1,366 | 280 | 147 |
| 1971 | 48,341 | 1,296 | 287 | 156 |
| 1970 | 48,398 | 1,137 | 286 | 54 |
| 1969 | 48,790 | 1,017 | 283 | -209 |
| 1968 | 48,361 | 939 | 275 | -194 |
| 1967 | 50,193 | 926 | 266 | -150 |
| 1966 | 50,755 | 930 | 268 | -18 |
| 1965 | 51,196 | 932 | 275 | -16 |
| 1964 | 51,435 | 934 | 284 | -27 |
| 1963 | 51,403 | 938 | 291 | -41 |
| 1962 | 51,046 | 934 | 296 | -54 |
| 1961 | 50,149 | 924 | 298 | -65 |
| 1960 | 48,857 | 910 | 296 | -70 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/population/costa-rica/palau | CC BY
Over the last 10 years, 96.2% of the population change in Costa Rica is from natural causes (a gain of 335,764 people) and 3.8% is from migration (a gain of 13,278 people). In Palau 42.5% is from natural causes (a gain of 173 people) and 57.5% is from migration (a loss of 234 people).
As of 2024, 628,404 residents or 12.2% of the population were not native-born in Costa Rica, compared to 5,212 people or 29.5% in Palau.
Biggest cities by population
|
Costa Rica
|
|
|---|---|
| City | Population |
| San Jose | 335K |
| Limon | 71.5K |
| Liberia | 65.9K |
| Alajuela | 44.4K |
| Puntarenas | 41.5K |
| Cartago | 22.8K |
| Heredia | 16.7K |
| Tamarindo | 7.13K |
| Santa Teresa | 3K |
|
Palau
|
|
|---|---|
| City | Population |
| Ngerulmud | 318 |
| Melekeok | 299 |
Compare countries by 7 more topics
Population differences between Costa Rica and Palau
|
Costa Rica
|
Palau
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy | 81.4 years | 69.6 years |
| Average age | 37.5 years | 38.7 years |
| Median age | 36.2 years | 39.5 years |
| Male:Female ratio | 49.4:50.6 | 53.8:46.2 |
| Fertility rate | 1.32 births per woman | 1.88 births per woman |
| Population density | 262.5 ppl/mi² | 99.2 ppl/mi² |
Population map with other countries
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/population/costa-rica/palau | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2100, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- Wikidata (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
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