The latest officially reported population of the Netherlands was 17,993,485 in 2024 vs 17,695 people in Palau in 2024. In 2026, based on the adjusted UN estimation, the current Netherlands' population is 18,252,623 people compared to 17,629 in Palau.
Population statistics:
- The Netherlands' population is 1,035 times bigger than Palau's.
- The Netherlands is ranked the 72nd most populous country in the world, while Palau is the 194th.
- The countries together account for 0.22% of the world: 0.22% for the Netherlands vs 0.0002% for Palau.
- For the last 10 years, the Netherlands has had an average growth rate of +0.62% per year vs +0.02% in Palau.
- Since 2006, the population of the Netherlands has increased from 16.3M people to 18.3M (11.7% growth), while Palau has declined from 19.6K to 17.6K (10% decline).
Netherlands vs Palau: population by year and forecast
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
Netherlands
|
Palau
|
|
| 2100 | 17,359,081 | 11,152 |
| 2099 | 17,392,412 | 11,216 |
| 2098 | 17,425,508 | 11,281 |
| 2097 | 17,459,827 | 11,352 |
| 2096 | 17,495,124 | 11,417 |
| 2095 | 17,532,593 | 11,485 |
| 2094 | 17,571,051 | 11,549 |
| 2093 | 17,610,792 | 11,616 |
| 2092 | 17,649,611 | 11,682 |
| 2091 | 17,688,532 | 11,753 |
| 2090 | 17,730,570 | 11,829 |
| 2089 | 17,770,380 | 11,907 |
| 2088 | 17,809,825 | 11,968 |
| 2087 | 17,845,820 | 12,040 |
| 2086 | 17,885,001 | 12,109 |
| 2085 | 17,921,302 | 12,171 |
| 2084 | 17,957,639 | 12,251 |
| 2083 | 17,994,232 | 12,316 |
| 2082 | 18,029,404 | 12,382 |
| 2081 | 18,063,233 | 12,457 |
| 2080 | 18,093,703 | 12,537 |
| 2079 | 18,124,294 | 12,608 |
| 2078 | 18,152,738 | 12,681 |
| 2077 | 18,181,372 | 12,758 |
| 2076 | 18,206,864 | 12,838 |
| 2075 | 18,227,791 | 12,914 |
| 2074 | 18,245,652 | 13,007 |
| 2073 | 18,263,765 | 13,091 |
| 2072 | 18,280,443 | 13,161 |
| 2071 | 18,295,700 | 13,252 |
| 2070 | 18,311,141 | 13,338 |
| 2069 | 18,326,509 | 13,430 |
| 2068 | 18,341,711 | 13,525 |
| 2067 | 18,356,770 | 13,621 |
| 2066 | 18,374,904 | 13,723 |
| 2065 | 18,396,018 | 13,818 |
| 2064 | 18,417,894 | 13,920 |
| 2063 | 18,441,434 | 14,025 |
| 2062 | 18,464,922 | 14,136 |
| 2061 | 18,492,436 | 14,251 |
| 2060 | 18,520,315 | 14,358 |
| 2059 | 18,548,786 | 14,479 |
| 2058 | 18,577,700 | 14,589 |
| 2057 | 18,608,370 | 14,718 |
| 2056 | 18,638,918 | 14,837 |
| 2055 | 18,666,514 | 14,961 |
| 2054 | 18,692,598 | 15,084 |
| 2053 | 18,718,268 | 15,206 |
| 2052 | 18,741,740 | 15,332 |
| 2051 | 18,768,309 | 15,453 |
| 2050 | 18,789,481 | 15,562 |
| 2049 | 18,809,886 | 15,682 |
| 2048 | 18,827,655 | 15,797 |
| 2047 | 18,844,635 | 15,912 |
| 2046 | 18,855,920 | 16,024 |
| 2045 | 18,867,286 | 16,132 |
| 2044 | 18,877,101 | 16,245 |
| 2043 | 18,882,735 | 16,339 |
| 2042 | 18,885,839 | 16,445 |
| 2041 | 18,885,255 | 16,549 |
| 2040 | 18,879,571 | 16,631 |
| 2039 | 18,870,248 | 16,727 |
| 2038 | 18,855,512 | 16,805 |
| 2037 | 18,837,172 | 16,895 |
| 2036 | 18,811,873 | 16,964 |
| 2035 | 18,783,312 | 17,042 |
| 2034 | 18,750,125 | 17,118 |
| 2033 | 18,708,101 | 17,190 |
| 2032 | 18,662,054 | 17,250 |
| 2031 | 18,609,452 | 17,330 |
| 2030 | 18,549,634 | 17,398 |
| 2029 | 18,481,269 | 17,457 |
| 2028 | 18,404,195 | 17,527 |
| 2027 | 18,320,644 | 17,576 |
| 2026 | 18,227,403 | 17,629 |
| 2025 | 18,118,662 | 17,672 |
| 2024 | 17,993,485 | 17,695 |
| 2023 | 17,877,117 | 17,727 |
| 2022 | 17,700,982 | 17,759 |
| 2021 | 17,533,044 | 17,783 |
| 2020 | 17,441,500 | 17,792 |
| 2019 | 17,344,874 | 17,798 |
| 2018 | 17,231,624 | 17,814 |
| 2017 | 17,131,296 | 17,812 |
| 2016 | 17,030,314 | 17,797 |
| 2015 | 16,939,923 | 17,770 |
| 2014 | 16,865,008 | 17,715 |
| 2013 | 16,804,432 | 17,648 |
| 2012 | 16,754,962 | 17,765 |
| 2011 | 16,693,074 | 18,078 |
| 2010 | 16,615,394 | 18,396 |
| 2009 | 16,530,388 | 18,709 |
| 2008 | 16,445,593 | 19,009 |
| 2007 | 16,381,696 | 19,302 |
| 2006 | 16,346,101 | 19,593 |
| 2005 | 16,319,868 | 19,819 |
| 2004 | 16,281,779 | 19,820 |
| 2003 | 16,225,302 | 19,659 |
| 2002 | 16,148,929 | 19,503 |
| 2001 | 16,046,180 | 19,352 |
| 2000 | 15,925,513 | 19,178 |
| 1999 | 15,812,088 | 18,901 |
| 1998 | 15,707,209 | 18,524 |
| 1997 | 15,610,650 | 18,108 |
| 1996 | 15,530,498 | 17,654 |
| 1995 | 15,459,006 | 17,195 |
| 1994 | 15,382,838 | 16,770 |
| 1993 | 15,290,368 | 16,372 |
| 1992 | 15,184,166 | 15,989 |
| 1991 | 15,069,798 | 15,614 |
| 1990 | 14,951,510 | 15,259 |
| 1989 | 14,848,907 | 14,945 |
| 1988 | 14,760,094 | 14,645 |
| 1987 | 14,665,037 | 14,334 |
| 1986 | 14,572,278 | 14,024 |
| 1985 | 14,491,632 | 13,688 |
| 1984 | 14,424,211 | 13,337 |
| 1983 | 14,367,070 | 13,006 |
| 1982 | 14,312,690 | 12,694 |
| 1981 | 14,247,208 | 12,402 |
| 1980 | 14,149,800 | 12,271 |
| 1979 | 14,038,270 | 12,337 |
| 1978 | 13,941,700 | 12,440 |
| 1977 | 13,856,185 | 12,525 |
| 1976 | 13,774,037 | 12,598 |
| 1975 | 13,666,335 | 12,655 |
| 1974 | 13,545,056 | 12,687 |
| 1973 | 13,439,322 | 12,552 |
| 1972 | 13,328,593 | 12,194 |
| 1971 | 13,194,497 | 11,759 |
| 1970 | 13,038,526 | 11,368 |
| 1969 | 12,877,984 | 11,159 |
| 1968 | 12,729,721 | 11,080 |
| 1967 | 12,598,201 | 10,988 |
| 1966 | 12,456,251 | 10,805 |
| 1965 | 12,294,732 | 10,547 |
| 1964 | 12,127,120 | 10,292 |
| 1963 | 11,965,966 | 10,037 |
| 1962 | 11,805,689 | 9,793 |
| 1961 | 11,638,712 | 9,555 |
| 1960 | 11,486,631 | 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/netherlands/palau | CC BY 
From 2006 to 2016, the population of the Netherlands increased by 684,213 people (a 4.19% growth), while Palau lost 1,796 people (a 9.17% decline).
For the next 10 years, from 2016 to 2026, the Netherlands gained 1,222,309 people (a 7.18% growth), while Palau's population decreased by 168 people (a 0.94% decline).
The Netherlands was ranked 61st most populous country in 2006 and is 72nd 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 Netherlands' population will grow by 2.94% to 18,789,481 people with a rank change from 72nd to 77th. The population of Palau will decrease by 11.7% to 15,562 people and rank change from 194th to 195th.
The Netherlands is projected to reach its peak in 2042 at 18.9M people, while Palau's population already peaked in 2004 at 19.8K people and is projected to decrease to 11.2K people by 2100.
Population growth rate by year
| Year | Growth rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Netherlands
|
Palau
|
|
| 2100 | -0.19% | -0.57% |
| 2099 | -0.19% | -0.58% |
| 2098 | -0.2% | -0.62% |
| 2097 | -0.2% | -0.57% |
| 2096 | -0.21% | -0.59% |
| 2095 | -0.22% | -0.55% |
| 2094 | -0.23% | -0.58% |
| 2093 | -0.22% | -0.56% |
| 2092 | -0.22% | -0.6% |
| 2091 | -0.24% | -0.65% |
| 2090 | -0.22% | -0.65% |
| 2089 | -0.22% | -0.51% |
| 2088 | -0.2% | -0.6% |
| 2087 | -0.22% | -0.57% |
| 2086 | -0.2% | -0.51% |
| 2085 | -0.2% | -0.65% |
| 2084 | -0.2% | -0.53% |
| 2083 | -0.2% | -0.53% |
| 2082 | -0.19% | -0.6% |
| 2081 | -0.17% | -0.64% |
| 2080 | -0.17% | -0.56% |
| 2079 | -0.16% | -0.58% |
| 2078 | -0.16% | -0.6% |
| 2077 | -0.14% | -0.62% |
| 2076 | -0.11% | -0.59% |
| 2075 | -0.1% | -0.71% |
| 2074 | -0.1% | -0.64% |
| 2073 | -0.09% | -0.53% |
| 2072 | -0.08% | -0.69% |
| 2071 | -0.08% | -0.65% |
| 2070 | -0.08% | -0.68% |
| 2069 | -0.08% | -0.7% |
| 2068 | -0.08% | -0.7% |
| 2067 | -0.1% | -0.74% |
| 2066 | -0.11% | -0.69% |
| 2065 | -0.12% | -0.73% |
| 2064 | -0.13% | -0.75% |
| 2063 | -0.13% | -0.78% |
| 2062 | -0.15% | -0.81% |
| 2061 | -0.15% | -0.74% |
| 2060 | -0.15% | -0.84% |
| 2059 | -0.16% | -0.75% |
| 2058 | -0.16% | -0.88% |
| 2057 | -0.16% | -0.81% |
| 2056 | -0.15% | -0.83% |
| 2055 | -0.14% | -0.81% |
| 2054 | -0.14% | -0.8% |
| 2053 | -0.13% | -0.82% |
| 2052 | -0.14% | -0.78% |
| 2051 | -0.11% | -0.7% |
| 2050 | -0.11% | -0.76% |
| 2049 | -0.09% | -0.73% |
| 2048 | -0.09% | -0.72% |
| 2047 | -0.06% | -0.7% |
| 2046 | -0.06% | -0.67% |
| 2045 | -0.05% | -0.7% |
| 2044 | -0.03% | -0.57% |
| 2043 | -0.02% | -0.64% |
| 2042 | 0.003% | -0.63% |
| 2041 | 0.03% | -0.49% |
| 2040 | 0.05% | -0.57% |
| 2039 | 0.08% | -0.46% |
| 2038 | 0.1% | -0.53% |
| 2037 | 0.13% | -0.41% |
| 2036 | 0.15% | -0.46% |
| 2035 | 0.18% | -0.44% |
| 2034 | 0.22% | -0.42% |
| 2033 | 0.25% | -0.35% |
| 2032 | 0.28% | -0.46% |
| 2031 | 0.32% | -0.39% |
| 2030 | 0.37% | -0.34% |
| 2029 | 0.42% | -0.4% |
| 2028 | 0.46% | -0.28% |
| 2027 | 0.51% | -0.3% |
| 2026 | 0.6% | -0.24% |
| 2025 | 0.7% | -0.13% |
| 2024 | 0.65% | -0.18% |
| 2023 | 1% | -0.18% |
| 2022 | 0.96% | -0.13% |
| 2021 | 0.52% | -0.05% |
| 2020 | 0.56% | -0.03% |
| 2019 | 0.66% | -0.09% |
| 2018 | 0.59% | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 0.59% | 0.08% |
| 2016 | 0.53% | 0.15% |
| 2015 | 0.44% | 0.31% |
| 2014 | 0.36% | 0.38% |
| 2013 | 0.3% | -0.66% |
| 2012 | 0.37% | -1.73% |
| 2011 | 0.47% | -1.73% |
| 2010 | 0.51% | -1.67% |
| 2009 | 0.52% | -1.58% |
| 2008 | 0.39% | -1.52% |
| 2007 | 0.22% | -1.49% |
| 2006 | 0.16% | -1.14% |
| 2005 | 0.23% | -0.005% |
| 2004 | 0.35% | 0.82% |
| 2003 | 0.47% | 0.8% |
| 2002 | 0.64% | 0.78% |
| 2001 | 0.76% | 0.91% |
| 2000 | 0.72% | 1.47% |
| 1999 | 0.67% | 2.04% |
| 1998 | 0.62% | 2.3% |
| 1997 | 0.52% | 2.57% |
| 1996 | 0.46% | 2.67% |
| 1995 | 0.5% | 2.53% |
| 1994 | 0.6% | 2.43% |
| 1993 | 0.7% | 2.4% |
| 1992 | 0.76% | 2.4% |
| 1991 | 0.79% | 2.33% |
| 1990 | 0.69% | 2.1% |
| 1989 | 0.6% | 2.05% |
| 1988 | 0.65% | 2.17% |
| 1987 | 0.64% | 2.21% |
| 1986 | 0.56% | 2.45% |
| 1985 | 0.47% | 2.63% |
| 1984 | 0.4% | 2.54% |
| 1983 | 0.38% | 2.46% |
| 1982 | 0.46% | 2.35% |
| 1981 | 0.69% | 1.07% |
| 1980 | 0.79% | -0.53% |
| 1979 | 0.69% | -0.83% |
| 1978 | 0.62% | -0.68% |
| 1977 | 0.6% | -0.58% |
| 1976 | 0.79% | -0.45% |
| 1975 | 0.9% | -0.25% |
| 1974 | 0.79% | 1.08% |
| 1973 | 0.83% | 2.94% |
| 1972 | 1.02% | 3.7% |
| 1971 | 1.2% | 3.44% |
| 1970 | 1.25% | 1.87% |
| 1969 | 1.16% | 0.71% |
| 1968 | 1.04% | 0.84% |
| 1967 | 1.14% | 1.69% |
| 1966 | 1.31% | 2.45% |
| 1965 | 1.38% | 2.48% |
| 1964 | 1.35% | 2.54% |
| 1963 | 1.36% | 2.49% |
| 1962 | 1.43% | 2.49% |
| 1961 | 1.32% | 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/netherlands/palau | CC BY
In 2024, the population of the Netherlands grew by 0.65%, while Palau's population declined by 0.18%.
Live population counters
|
Netherlands
|
Palau
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Current population |
18252623
|
17629
|
| Population rank | 72/197 | 194/197 |
| Percent of world population | 0.22% | 0.0002% |
| One net population change |
4.52 minutes
|
1.63 weeks
|
| One birth every |
3.2 minutes
|
1.89 days
|
| One death every |
3.09 minutes
|
1.8 days
|
| Daily growth/decline | +319 | +0 |
| Annual growth/decline | +116,368 | -32 |
| Annual growth/decline rate | +0.65% | -0.18% |
| Population growth rate rank | 121/197 | 175/197 |
| One migration net change every |
5.03 minutes
|
3.27 weeks
|
| Annual migration change | +104,681 | -16 |
| Net migration rank | 16/196 | 78/196 |
| Foreign-born residents | 2,956,518 | 5,212 |
| Foreign-born residents rank | 23/195 | 184/195 |
| Foreign-born share of population | 16.2% | 29.5% |
| Foreign-born share rank | 40/195 | 19/195 |
Natural population change vs migration
| Year | Population change | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Netherlands
|
Palau
|
|||
| Natural | Migration | Natural | Migration | |
| 2025 | - | 104,681 | - | -16 |
| 2024 | - | 121,628 | - | -14 |
| 2023 | -5,363 | 144,558 | -10 | -19 |
| 2022 | -1,770 | 224,472 | -7 | -20 |
| 2021 | 7,014 | 106,416 | -3 | -21 |
| 2020 | 0 | 67,598 | 8 | 0 |
| 2019 | 17,345 | 109,003 | 23 | -46 |
| 2018 | 15,508 | 87,197 | 29 | -35 |
| 2017 | 18,844 | 86,332 | 43 | -33 |
| 2016 | 23,843 | 88,743 | 53 | -35 |
| 2015 | 23,716 | 55,585 | 55 | -11 |
| 2014 | 35,417 | 36,591 | 73 | -7 |
| 2013 | 30,248 | 19,973 | 88 | -28 |
| 2012 | 35,186 | 14,861 | 86 | -387 |
| 2011 | 45,072 | 31,224 | 83 | -405 |
| 2010 | 48,184 | 33,703 | 81 | -392 |
| 2009 | 51,244 | 39,832 | 81 | -382 |
| 2008 | 49,337 | 32,406 | 79 | -378 |
| 2007 | 49,145 | -304 | 80 | -372 |
| 2006 | 49,038 | -25,401 | 79 | -365 |
| 2005 | 50,592 | -22,496 | 80 | -250 |
| 2004 | 56,987 | -9,230 | 83 | 79 |
| 2003 | 58,411 | 7,937 | 86 | 71 |
| 2002 | 59,751 | 28,824 | 88 | 67 |
| 2001 | 62,580 | 56,096 | 88 | 65 |
| 2000 | 66,887 | 59,308 | 85 | 120 |
| 1999 | 60,086 | 47,179 | 100 | 243 |
| 1998 | 61,258 | 52,058 | 116 | 280 |
| 1997 | 56,198 | 31,302 | 140 | 297 |
| 1996 | 51,251 | 21,792 | 166 | 312 |
| 1995 | 54,106 | 15,056 | 186 | 258 |
| 1994 | 61,532 | 20,193 | 195 | 211 |
| 1993 | 58,103 | 44,514 | 196 | 193 |
| 1992 | 66,811 | 50,148 | 183 | 193 |
| 1991 | 69,321 | 51,670 | 175 | 193 |
| 1990 | 68,777 | 53,564 | 181 | 156 |
| 1989 | 59,396 | 31,165 | 185 | 113 |
| 1988 | 61,993 | 31,026 | 183 | 126 |
| 1987 | 64,526 | 39,559 | 182 | 125 |
| 1986 | 59,746 | 30,380 | 182 | 135 |
| 1985 | 55,069 | 27,356 | 181 | 179 |
| 1984 | 54,812 | 12,902 | 181 | 157 |
| 1983 | 51,722 | 11,007 | 176 | 144 |
| 1982 | 54,388 | 7,644 | 170 | 132 |
| 1981 | 62,688 | 17,643 | 161 | 120 |
| 1980 | 66,504 | 54,010 | 165 | -179 |
| 1979 | 63,172 | 42,772 | 176 | -291 |
| 1978 | 61,344 | 26,639 | 193 | -285 |
| 1977 | 63,739 | 19,809 | 213 | -292 |
| 1976 | 63,361 | 18,774 | 236 | -296 |
| 1975 | 64,232 | 68,569 | 249 | -296 |
| 1974 | 75,853 | 31,645 | 256 | -282 |
| 1973 | 84,668 | 18,705 | 268 | 22 |
| 1972 | 101,297 | 17,470 | 280 | 147 |
| 1971 | 116,112 | 32,756 | 287 | 156 |
| 1970 | 129,082 | 32,438 | 286 | 54 |
| 1969 | 139,082 | 21,850 | 283 | -209 |
| 1968 | 132,389 | 7,243 | 275 | -194 |
| 1967 | 138,580 | -10,673 | 266 | -150 |
| 1966 | 138,265 | 20,740 | 268 | -18 |
| 1965 | 146,308 | 19,444 | 275 | -16 |
| 1964 | 157,653 | 15,014 | 284 | -27 |
| 1963 | 154,361 | -21 | 291 | -41 |
| 1962 | 153,474 | 18,024 | 296 | -54 |
| 1961 | 159,450 | 8,258 | 298 | -65 |
| 1960 | 151,623 | -13,235 | 296 | -70 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/population/netherlands/palau | CC BY
Over the last 10 years, 11.8% of the population change in the Netherlands is from natural causes (a gain of 134,554 people) and 88.2% is from migration (a gain of 1,006,495 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, 2,956,518 residents or 16.2% of the population were not native-born in the Netherlands, compared to 5,212 people or 29.5% in Palau.
Biggest cities by population
|
Netherlands
|
|
|---|---|
| City | Population |
| Amsterdam | 921K |
| Rotterdam | 664K |
| The Hague | 548K |
| Utrecht | 359K |
| Eindhoven | 244K |
| Groningen | 238K |
| Tilburg | 228K |
| Almere | 215K |
| Breda | 188K |
| Nijmegen | 177K |
|
Palau
|
|
|---|---|
| City | Population |
| Ngerulmud | 318 |
| Melekeok | 299 |
Compare countries by 7 more topics
Population differences between the Netherlands and Palau
|
Netherlands
|
Palau
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy | 82.6 years | 69.6 years |
| Average age | 42.5 years | 38.4 years |
| Median age | 42.4 years | 39.2 years |
| Male:Female ratio | 49.7:50.3 | 53.9:46.1 |
| Fertility rate | 1.43 births per woman | 1.91 births per woman |
| Population density | 1,402 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/netherlands/palau | CC BY
Help us show the world through your eyes
Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.
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)
Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.