The latest officially reported population of the Marshall Islands was 37,548 in 2024 vs 17,695 people in Palau in 2024. In 2026, based on the adjusted UN estimation, the current Marshall Islands' population is 35,058 people compared to 17,629 in Palau.
Population statistics:
- The Marshall Islands' population is 1.99 times bigger than Palau's.
- The Marshall Islands is ranked the 192nd most populous country in the world, while Palau is the 194th.
- The countries together account for 0.0006% of the world: 0.0004% for the Marshall Islands vs 0.0002% for Palau.
- For the last 10 years, the Marshall Islands has had an average growth rate of -2.69% per year vs +0.02% in Palau.
- Since 2006, the population of the Marshall Islands has decreased from 52K people to 35.1K (32.6% decline), while Palau has declined from 19.6K to 17.6K (10% decline).
Marshall Islands vs Palau: population by year and forecast
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
Marshall Islands
|
Palau
|
|
| 2100 | 23,457 | 11,152 |
| 2099 | 23,536 | 11,216 |
| 2098 | 23,626 | 11,281 |
| 2097 | 23,720 | 11,352 |
| 2096 | 23,797 | 11,417 |
| 2095 | 23,879 | 11,485 |
| 2094 | 23,947 | 11,549 |
| 2093 | 24,022 | 11,616 |
| 2092 | 24,092 | 11,682 |
| 2091 | 24,150 | 11,753 |
| 2090 | 24,198 | 11,829 |
| 2089 | 24,253 | 11,907 |
| 2088 | 24,284 | 11,968 |
| 2087 | 24,314 | 12,040 |
| 2086 | 24,329 | 12,109 |
| 2085 | 24,347 | 12,171 |
| 2084 | 24,355 | 12,251 |
| 2083 | 24,343 | 12,316 |
| 2082 | 24,328 | 12,382 |
| 2081 | 24,317 | 12,457 |
| 2080 | 24,290 | 12,537 |
| 2079 | 24,269 | 12,608 |
| 2078 | 24,226 | 12,681 |
| 2077 | 24,185 | 12,758 |
| 2076 | 24,151 | 12,838 |
| 2075 | 24,096 | 12,914 |
| 2074 | 24,061 | 13,007 |
| 2073 | 24,013 | 13,091 |
| 2072 | 23,982 | 13,161 |
| 2071 | 23,943 | 13,252 |
| 2070 | 23,902 | 13,338 |
| 2069 | 23,869 | 13,430 |
| 2068 | 23,827 | 13,525 |
| 2067 | 23,808 | 13,621 |
| 2066 | 23,775 | 13,723 |
| 2065 | 23,774 | 13,818 |
| 2064 | 23,778 | 13,920 |
| 2063 | 23,791 | 14,025 |
| 2062 | 23,830 | 14,136 |
| 2061 | 23,881 | 14,251 |
| 2060 | 23,929 | 14,358 |
| 2059 | 23,993 | 14,479 |
| 2058 | 24,041 | 14,589 |
| 2057 | 24,118 | 14,718 |
| 2056 | 24,207 | 14,837 |
| 2055 | 24,318 | 14,961 |
| 2054 | 24,424 | 15,084 |
| 2053 | 24,515 | 15,206 |
| 2052 | 24,615 | 15,332 |
| 2051 | 24,727 | 15,453 |
| 2050 | 24,824 | 15,562 |
| 2049 | 24,948 | 15,682 |
| 2048 | 25,060 | 15,797 |
| 2047 | 25,169 | 15,912 |
| 2046 | 25,281 | 16,024 |
| 2045 | 25,407 | 16,132 |
| 2044 | 25,544 | 16,245 |
| 2043 | 25,701 | 16,339 |
| 2042 | 25,860 | 16,445 |
| 2041 | 26,047 | 16,549 |
| 2040 | 26,263 | 16,631 |
| 2039 | 26,507 | 16,727 |
| 2038 | 26,773 | 16,805 |
| 2037 | 27,104 | 16,895 |
| 2036 | 27,461 | 16,964 |
| 2035 | 27,889 | 17,042 |
| 2034 | 28,379 | 17,118 |
| 2033 | 28,934 | 17,190 |
| 2032 | 29,558 | 17,250 |
| 2031 | 30,266 | 17,330 |
| 2030 | 31,070 | 17,398 |
| 2029 | 31,960 | 17,457 |
| 2028 | 32,896 | 17,527 |
| 2027 | 33,927 | 17,576 |
| 2026 | 35,058 | 17,629 |
| 2025 | 36,301 | 17,672 |
| 2024 | 37,548 | 17,695 |
| 2023 | 38,827 | 17,727 |
| 2022 | 40,077 | 17,759 |
| 2021 | 41,367 | 17,783 |
| 2020 | 42,706 | 17,792 |
| 2019 | 44,007 | 17,798 |
| 2018 | 45,285 | 17,814 |
| 2017 | 46,529 | 17,812 |
| 2016 | 47,709 | 17,797 |
| 2015 | 48,800 | 17,770 |
| 2014 | 49,796 | 17,715 |
| 2013 | 50,681 | 17,648 |
| 2012 | 51,419 | 17,765 |
| 2011 | 51,907 | 18,078 |
| 2010 | 52,044 | 18,396 |
| 2009 | 52,019 | 18,709 |
| 2008 | 52,030 | 19,009 |
| 2007 | 52,035 | 19,302 |
| 2006 | 51,992 | 19,593 |
| 2005 | 51,906 | 19,819 |
| 2004 | 51,791 | 19,820 |
| 2003 | 51,639 | 19,659 |
| 2002 | 51,425 | 19,503 |
| 2001 | 51,123 | 19,352 |
| 2000 | 50,706 | 19,178 |
| 1999 | 50,202 | 18,901 |
| 1998 | 49,717 | 18,524 |
| 1997 | 49,259 | 18,108 |
| 1996 | 48,775 | 17,654 |
| 1995 | 48,266 | 17,195 |
| 1994 | 47,712 | 16,770 |
| 1993 | 47,093 | 16,372 |
| 1992 | 46,388 | 15,989 |
| 1991 | 45,568 | 15,614 |
| 1990 | 44,629 | 15,259 |
| 1989 | 43,586 | 14,945 |
| 1988 | 42,321 | 14,645 |
| 1987 | 40,828 | 14,334 |
| 1986 | 39,286 | 14,024 |
| 1985 | 37,761 | 13,688 |
| 1984 | 36,264 | 13,337 |
| 1983 | 34,811 | 13,006 |
| 1982 | 33,397 | 12,694 |
| 1981 | 32,017 | 12,402 |
| 1980 | 30,774 | 12,271 |
| 1979 | 29,738 | 12,337 |
| 1978 | 28,809 | 12,440 |
| 1977 | 27,906 | 12,525 |
| 1976 | 27,021 | 12,598 |
| 1975 | 26,154 | 12,655 |
| 1974 | 25,296 | 12,687 |
| 1973 | 24,581 | 12,552 |
| 1972 | 23,992 | 12,194 |
| 1971 | 23,366 | 11,759 |
| 1970 | 22,530 | 11,368 |
| 1969 | 21,305 | 11,159 |
| 1968 | 19,862 | 11,080 |
| 1967 | 18,655 | 10,988 |
| 1966 | 17,927 | 10,805 |
| 1965 | 17,402 | 10,547 |
| 1964 | 16,852 | 10,292 |
| 1963 | 16,302 | 10,037 |
| 1962 | 15,755 | 9,793 |
| 1961 | 15,219 | 9,555 |
| 1960 | 14,703 | 9,328 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2025–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10); World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/population/marshall-islands/palau | CC BY 
From 2006 to 2016, the population of the Marshall Islands decreased by 4,283 people (a 8.24% decline), while Palau lost 1,796 people (a 9.17% decline).
For the next 10 years, from 2016 to 2026, the Marshall Islands lost 12,651 people (a 26.5% decline), while Palau's population decreased by 168 people (a 0.94% decline).
The Marshall Islands was ranked 188th most populous country in 2006 and is 192nd 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) the Marshall Islands' population will shrink by 29.2% to 24,824 people with a rank change from 192nd to 193rd. The population of Palau will decrease by 11.7% to 15,562 people and rank change from 194th to 195th.
Both countries are in a period of decline and in 50 years are projected to lose 31.1% of the population in the Marshall Islands and 27.2% in Palau.
Population growth rate by year
| Year | Growth rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Marshall Islands
|
Palau
|
|
| 2100 | -0.33% | -0.57% |
| 2099 | -0.38% | -0.58% |
| 2098 | -0.4% | -0.62% |
| 2097 | -0.32% | -0.57% |
| 2096 | -0.35% | -0.59% |
| 2095 | -0.28% | -0.55% |
| 2094 | -0.31% | -0.58% |
| 2093 | -0.29% | -0.56% |
| 2092 | -0.24% | -0.6% |
| 2091 | -0.2% | -0.65% |
| 2090 | -0.23% | -0.65% |
| 2089 | -0.13% | -0.51% |
| 2088 | -0.12% | -0.6% |
| 2087 | -0.06% | -0.57% |
| 2086 | -0.08% | -0.51% |
| 2085 | -0.03% | -0.65% |
| 2084 | 0.05% | -0.53% |
| 2083 | 0.06% | -0.53% |
| 2082 | 0.04% | -0.6% |
| 2081 | 0.11% | -0.64% |
| 2080 | 0.09% | -0.56% |
| 2079 | 0.17% | -0.58% |
| 2078 | 0.17% | -0.6% |
| 2077 | 0.14% | -0.62% |
| 2076 | 0.23% | -0.59% |
| 2075 | 0.14% | -0.71% |
| 2074 | 0.2% | -0.64% |
| 2073 | 0.13% | -0.53% |
| 2072 | 0.16% | -0.69% |
| 2071 | 0.17% | -0.65% |
| 2070 | 0.14% | -0.68% |
| 2069 | 0.18% | -0.7% |
| 2068 | 0.08% | -0.7% |
| 2067 | 0.14% | -0.74% |
| 2066 | 0.004% | -0.69% |
| 2065 | -0.02% | -0.73% |
| 2064 | -0.05% | -0.75% |
| 2063 | -0.17% | -0.78% |
| 2062 | -0.21% | -0.81% |
| 2061 | -0.2% | -0.74% |
| 2060 | -0.27% | -0.84% |
| 2059 | -0.2% | -0.75% |
| 2058 | -0.32% | -0.88% |
| 2057 | -0.37% | -0.81% |
| 2056 | -0.46% | -0.83% |
| 2055 | -0.43% | -0.81% |
| 2054 | -0.37% | -0.8% |
| 2053 | -0.41% | -0.82% |
| 2052 | -0.45% | -0.78% |
| 2051 | -0.39% | -0.7% |
| 2050 | -0.5% | -0.76% |
| 2049 | -0.45% | -0.73% |
| 2048 | -0.43% | -0.72% |
| 2047 | -0.44% | -0.7% |
| 2046 | -0.5% | -0.67% |
| 2045 | -0.54% | -0.7% |
| 2044 | -0.61% | -0.57% |
| 2043 | -0.62% | -0.64% |
| 2042 | -0.72% | -0.63% |
| 2041 | -0.82% | -0.49% |
| 2040 | -0.92% | -0.57% |
| 2039 | -1% | -0.46% |
| 2038 | -1.22% | -0.53% |
| 2037 | -1.3% | -0.41% |
| 2036 | -1.53% | -0.46% |
| 2035 | -1.73% | -0.44% |
| 2034 | -1.92% | -0.42% |
| 2033 | -2.11% | -0.35% |
| 2032 | -2.34% | -0.46% |
| 2031 | -2.59% | -0.39% |
| 2030 | -2.78% | -0.34% |
| 2029 | -2.85% | -0.4% |
| 2028 | -3.04% | -0.28% |
| 2027 | -3.23% | -0.3% |
| 2026 | -3.42% | -0.24% |
| 2025 | -3.32% | -0.13% |
| 2024 | -3.29% | -0.18% |
| 2023 | -3.12% | -0.18% |
| 2022 | -3.12% | -0.13% |
| 2021 | -3.14% | -0.05% |
| 2020 | -2.96% | -0.03% |
| 2019 | -2.82% | -0.09% |
| 2018 | -2.67% | 0.01% |
| 2017 | -2.47% | 0.08% |
| 2016 | -2.24% | 0.15% |
| 2015 | -2% | 0.31% |
| 2014 | -1.75% | 0.38% |
| 2013 | -1.44% | -0.66% |
| 2012 | -0.94% | -1.73% |
| 2011 | -0.26% | -1.73% |
| 2010 | 0.05% | -1.67% |
| 2009 | -0.02% | -1.58% |
| 2008 | -0.01% | -1.52% |
| 2007 | 0.08% | -1.49% |
| 2006 | 0.17% | -1.14% |
| 2005 | 0.22% | -0.005% |
| 2004 | 0.29% | 0.82% |
| 2003 | 0.42% | 0.8% |
| 2002 | 0.59% | 0.78% |
| 2001 | 0.82% | 0.91% |
| 2000 | 1% | 1.47% |
| 1999 | 0.98% | 2.04% |
| 1998 | 0.93% | 2.3% |
| 1997 | 0.99% | 2.57% |
| 1996 | 1.05% | 2.67% |
| 1995 | 1.16% | 2.53% |
| 1994 | 1.31% | 2.43% |
| 1993 | 1.52% | 2.4% |
| 1992 | 1.8% | 2.4% |
| 1991 | 2.1% | 2.33% |
| 1990 | 2.39% | 2.1% |
| 1989 | 2.99% | 2.05% |
| 1988 | 3.66% | 2.17% |
| 1987 | 3.93% | 2.21% |
| 1986 | 4.04% | 2.45% |
| 1985 | 4.13% | 2.63% |
| 1984 | 4.17% | 2.54% |
| 1983 | 4.23% | 2.46% |
| 1982 | 4.31% | 2.35% |
| 1981 | 4.04% | 1.07% |
| 1980 | 3.48% | -0.53% |
| 1979 | 3.22% | -0.83% |
| 1978 | 3.24% | -0.68% |
| 1977 | 3.28% | -0.58% |
| 1976 | 3.31% | -0.45% |
| 1975 | 3.39% | -0.25% |
| 1974 | 2.91% | 1.08% |
| 1973 | 2.45% | 2.94% |
| 1972 | 2.68% | 3.7% |
| 1971 | 3.71% | 3.44% |
| 1970 | 5.75% | 1.87% |
| 1969 | 7.27% | 0.71% |
| 1968 | 6.47% | 0.84% |
| 1967 | 4.06% | 1.69% |
| 1966 | 3.02% | 2.45% |
| 1965 | 3.26% | 2.48% |
| 1964 | 3.37% | 2.54% |
| 1963 | 3.47% | 2.49% |
| 1962 | 3.52% | 2.49% |
| 1961 | 3.51% | 2.43% |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2025–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10); World Bank | Health (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/population/marshall-islands/palau | CC BY
In 2024, the population of the Marshall Islands declined by 3.29%, while Palau's population declined by 0.18%.
Live population counters
|
Marshall Islands
|
Palau
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Current population |
35058
|
17629
|
| Population rank | 192/197 | 194/197 |
| Percent of world population | 0.0004% | 0.0002% |
| One net population change |
6.85 hours
|
1.63 weeks
|
| One birth every |
10.7 hours
|
1.89 days
|
| One death every |
1.35 days
|
1.8 days
|
| Daily growth/decline | -4 | +0 |
| Annual growth/decline | -1,279 | -32 |
| Annual growth/decline rate | -3.29% | -0.18% |
| Population growth rate rank | 197/197 | 175/197 |
| One migration net change every |
5.17 hours
|
3.27 weeks
|
| Annual migration change | -1,698 | -16 |
| Net migration rank | 97/196 | 78/196 |
| Foreign-born residents | 3,309 | 5,212 |
| Foreign-born residents rank | 189/195 | 184/195 |
| Foreign-born share of population | 8.8% | 29.5% |
| Foreign-born share rank | 71/195 | 19/195 |
Natural population change vs migration
| Year | Population change | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Marshall Islands
|
Palau
|
|||
| Natural | Migration | Natural | Migration | |
| 2025 | - | -1,698 | - | -16 |
| 2024 | - | -1,765 | - | -14 |
| 2023 | 550 | -1,832 | -10 | -19 |
| 2022 | 606 | -1,829 | -7 | -20 |
| 2021 | 653 | -2,016 | -3 | -21 |
| 2020 | 689 | -2,004 | 8 | 0 |
| 2019 | 746 | -2,030 | 23 | -46 |
| 2018 | 785 | -2,058 | 29 | -35 |
| 2017 | 826 | -2,040 | 43 | -33 |
| 2016 | 866 | -2,003 | 53 | -35 |
| 2015 | 912 | -1,964 | 55 | -11 |
| 2014 | 959 | -1,906 | 73 | -7 |
| 2013 | 1,014 | -1,825 | 88 | -28 |
| 2012 | 1,097 | -1,759 | 86 | -387 |
| 2011 | 1,185 | -1,512 | 83 | -405 |
| 2010 | 1,273 | -1,221 | 81 | -392 |
| 2009 | 1,365 | -1,361 | 81 | -382 |
| 2008 | 1,443 | -1,467 | 79 | -378 |
| 2007 | 1,507 | -1,491 | 80 | -372 |
| 2006 | 1,556 | -1,491 | 79 | -365 |
| 2005 | 1,586 | -1,482 | 80 | -250 |
| 2004 | 1,595 | -1,466 | 83 | 79 |
| 2003 | 1,600 | -1,427 | 86 | 71 |
| 2002 | 1,594 | -1,345 | 88 | 67 |
| 2001 | 1,596 | -1,237 | 88 | 65 |
| 2000 | 1,592 | -1,110 | 85 | 120 |
| 1999 | 1,590 | -1,068 | 100 | 243 |
| 1998 | 1,576 | -1,124 | 116 | 280 |
| 1997 | 1,564 | -1,097 | 140 | 297 |
| 1996 | 1,542 | -1,050 | 166 | 312 |
| 1995 | 1,522 | -991 | 186 | 258 |
| 1994 | 1,524 | -942 | 195 | 211 |
| 1993 | 1,524 | -869 | 196 | 193 |
| 1992 | 1,525 | -769 | 183 | 193 |
| 1991 | 1,540 | -661 | 175 | 193 |
| 1990 | 1,556 | -562 | 181 | 156 |
| 1989 | 1,574 | -479 | 185 | 113 |
| 1988 | 1,575 | -140 | 183 | 126 |
| 1987 | 1,566 | -16 | 182 | 125 |
| 1986 | 1,544 | -8 | 182 | 135 |
| 1985 | 1,511 | -1 | 181 | 179 |
| 1984 | 1,470 | 6 | 181 | 157 |
| 1983 | 1,422 | 12 | 176 | 144 |
| 1982 | 1,375 | 23 | 170 | 132 |
| 1981 | 1,328 | 31 | 161 | 120 |
| 1980 | 1,287 | -155 | 165 | -179 |
| 1979 | 1,250 | -316 | 176 | -291 |
| 1978 | 1,207 | -286 | 193 | -285 |
| 1977 | 1,160 | -264 | 213 | -292 |
| 1976 | 1,109 | -233 | 236 | -296 |
| 1975 | 1,055 | -193 | 249 | -296 |
| 1974 | 1,000 | -145 | 256 | -282 |
| 1973 | 954 | -383 | 268 | 22 |
| 1972 | 913 | -306 | 280 | 147 |
| 1971 | 877 | -232 | 287 | 156 |
| 1970 | 819 | 201 | 286 | 54 |
| 1969 | 747 | 690 | 283 | -209 |
| 1968 | 685 | 769 | 275 | -194 |
| 1967 | 636 | 308 | 266 | -150 |
| 1966 | 603 | -89 | 268 | -18 |
| 1965 | 566 | -22 | 275 | -16 |
| 1964 | 536 | 16 | 284 | -27 |
| 1963 | 509 | 42 | 291 | -41 |
| 1962 | 488 | 54 | 296 | -54 |
| 1961 | 469 | 56 | 298 | -65 |
| 1960 | 452 | 63 | 296 | -70 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/population/marshall-islands/palau | CC BY
Over the last 10 years, 27.8% of the population change in the Marshall Islands is from natural causes (a gain of 7,592 people) and 72.2% is from migration (a loss of 19,682 people). In Palau 53.8% is from natural causes (a gain of 264 people) and 46.2% is from migration (a loss of 227 people).
As of 2024, 3,309 residents or 8.8% of the population were not native-born in the Marshall Islands, compared to 5,212 people or 29.5% in Palau.
Biggest cities by population
|
Marshall Islands
|
|
|---|---|
| City | Population |
| Majuro | 30K |
| Djarrit | 7.1K |
|
Palau
|
|
|---|---|
| City | Population |
| Ngerulmud | 318 |
| Melekeok | 299 |
Compare countries by 7 more topics
Population differences between the Marshall Islands and Palau
|
Marshall Islands
|
Palau
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy | 67.3 years | 69.6 years |
| Average age | 27.5 years | 38.4 years |
| Median age | 21.8 years | 39.2 years |
| Male:Female ratio | 51.2:48.8 | 53.9:46.1 |
| Fertility rate | 2.92 births per woman | 1.91 births per woman |
| Population density | 504 ppl/mi² | 99.3 ppl/mi² |
Population map with other countries
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/population/marshall-islands/palau | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- Wikidata (2026, retrieved 2026-02-08)
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