The latest officially reported population of North Korea was 26,498,823 in 2024 vs 17,695 people in Palau in 2024. In 2026, based on the adjusted UN estimation, the current North Korea's population is 26,659,144 people compared to 17,629 in Palau.
Population statistics:
- North Korea's population is 1,512 times bigger than Palau's.
- North Korea is ranked the 57th most populous country in the world, while Palau is the 194th.
- The countries together account for 0.32% of the world: 0.32% for North Korea vs 0.0002% for Palau.
- For the last 10 years, North Korea has had an average growth rate of +0.41% per year vs +0.02% in Palau.
- Since 2006, the population of North Korea has increased from 24.5M people to 26.7M (8.7% growth), while Palau has declined from 19.6K to 17.6K (10% decline).
North Korea vs Palau: population by year and forecast
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
North Korea
|
Palau
|
|
| 2100 | 19,604,631 | 11,152 |
| 2099 | 19,733,548 | 11,216 |
| 2098 | 19,862,949 | 11,281 |
| 2097 | 19,993,288 | 11,352 |
| 2096 | 20,124,518 | 11,417 |
| 2095 | 20,256,401 | 11,485 |
| 2094 | 20,388,156 | 11,549 |
| 2093 | 20,520,253 | 11,616 |
| 2092 | 20,652,961 | 11,682 |
| 2091 | 20,785,785 | 11,753 |
| 2090 | 20,918,305 | 11,829 |
| 2089 | 21,050,580 | 11,907 |
| 2088 | 21,182,325 | 11,968 |
| 2087 | 21,314,047 | 12,040 |
| 2086 | 21,445,329 | 12,109 |
| 2085 | 21,575,835 | 12,171 |
| 2084 | 21,705,777 | 12,251 |
| 2083 | 21,835,029 | 12,316 |
| 2082 | 21,964,199 | 12,382 |
| 2081 | 22,092,862 | 12,457 |
| 2080 | 22,220,948 | 12,537 |
| 2079 | 22,348,577 | 12,608 |
| 2078 | 22,475,755 | 12,681 |
| 2077 | 22,602,817 | 12,758 |
| 2076 | 22,729,499 | 12,838 |
| 2075 | 22,856,369 | 12,914 |
| 2074 | 22,983,784 | 13,007 |
| 2073 | 23,111,441 | 13,091 |
| 2072 | 23,239,261 | 13,161 |
| 2071 | 23,367,583 | 13,252 |
| 2070 | 23,496,136 | 13,338 |
| 2069 | 23,625,538 | 13,430 |
| 2068 | 23,755,136 | 13,525 |
| 2067 | 23,884,879 | 13,621 |
| 2066 | 24,015,027 | 13,723 |
| 2065 | 24,144,985 | 13,818 |
| 2064 | 24,274,257 | 13,920 |
| 2063 | 24,402,439 | 14,025 |
| 2062 | 24,529,941 | 14,136 |
| 2061 | 24,656,350 | 14,251 |
| 2060 | 24,780,911 | 14,358 |
| 2059 | 24,903,037 | 14,479 |
| 2058 | 25,023,260 | 14,589 |
| 2057 | 25,140,523 | 14,718 |
| 2056 | 25,255,342 | 14,837 |
| 2055 | 25,366,397 | 14,961 |
| 2054 | 25,474,292 | 15,084 |
| 2053 | 25,578,870 | 15,206 |
| 2052 | 25,679,963 | 15,332 |
| 2051 | 25,777,639 | 15,453 |
| 2050 | 25,871,673 | 15,562 |
| 2049 | 25,962,167 | 15,682 |
| 2048 | 26,048,593 | 15,797 |
| 2047 | 26,131,429 | 15,912 |
| 2046 | 26,210,487 | 16,024 |
| 2045 | 26,286,208 | 16,132 |
| 2044 | 26,358,331 | 16,245 |
| 2043 | 26,427,062 | 16,339 |
| 2042 | 26,491,482 | 16,445 |
| 2041 | 26,552,564 | 16,549 |
| 2040 | 26,609,557 | 16,631 |
| 2039 | 26,661,815 | 16,727 |
| 2038 | 26,708,400 | 16,805 |
| 2037 | 26,749,134 | 16,895 |
| 2036 | 26,783,304 | 16,964 |
| 2035 | 26,810,026 | 17,042 |
| 2034 | 26,828,912 | 17,118 |
| 2033 | 26,839,229 | 17,190 |
| 2032 | 26,840,944 | 17,250 |
| 2031 | 26,832,957 | 17,330 |
| 2030 | 26,814,812 | 17,398 |
| 2029 | 26,787,117 | 17,457 |
| 2028 | 26,749,227 | 17,527 |
| 2027 | 26,701,444 | 17,576 |
| 2026 | 26,643,460 | 17,629 |
| 2025 | 26,575,953 | 17,672 |
| 2024 | 26,498,823 | 17,695 |
| 2023 | 26,418,204 | 17,727 |
| 2022 | 26,328,845 | 17,759 |
| 2021 | 26,232,534 | 17,783 |
| 2020 | 26,136,312 | 17,792 |
| 2019 | 26,037,632 | 17,798 |
| 2018 | 25,931,147 | 17,814 |
| 2017 | 25,817,709 | 17,812 |
| 2016 | 25,698,326 | 17,797 |
| 2015 | 25,575,350 | 17,770 |
| 2014 | 25,451,262 | 17,715 |
| 2013 | 25,329,451 | 17,648 |
| 2012 | 25,211,728 | 17,765 |
| 2011 | 25,097,874 | 18,078 |
| 2010 | 24,987,258 | 18,396 |
| 2009 | 24,878,332 | 18,709 |
| 2008 | 24,764,618 | 19,009 |
| 2007 | 24,646,383 | 19,302 |
| 2006 | 24,524,507 | 19,593 |
| 2005 | 24,396,433 | 19,819 |
| 2004 | 24,254,943 | 19,820 |
| 2003 | 24,090,380 | 19,659 |
| 2002 | 23,943,973 | 19,503 |
| 2001 | 23,815,358 | 19,352 |
| 2000 | 23,665,910 | 19,178 |
| 1999 | 23,497,599 | 18,901 |
| 1998 | 23,311,564 | 18,524 |
| 1997 | 23,110,830 | 18,108 |
| 1996 | 22,895,746 | 17,654 |
| 1995 | 22,669,304 | 17,195 |
| 1994 | 22,393,975 | 16,770 |
| 1993 | 22,073,352 | 16,372 |
| 1992 | 21,750,911 | 15,989 |
| 1991 | 21,428,638 | 15,614 |
| 1990 | 21,112,137 | 15,259 |
| 1989 | 20,804,367 | 14,945 |
| 1988 | 20,503,161 | 14,645 |
| 1987 | 20,205,483 | 14,334 |
| 1986 | 19,910,855 | 14,024 |
| 1985 | 19,620,388 | 13,688 |
| 1984 | 19,335,043 | 13,337 |
| 1983 | 19,054,034 | 13,006 |
| 1982 | 18,776,357 | 12,694 |
| 1981 | 18,501,295 | 12,402 |
| 1980 | 18,236,786 | 12,271 |
| 1979 | 17,983,470 | 12,337 |
| 1978 | 17,735,995 | 12,440 |
| 1977 | 17,492,798 | 12,525 |
| 1976 | 17,243,450 | 12,598 |
| 1975 | 16,971,055 | 12,655 |
| 1974 | 16,673,121 | 12,687 |
| 1973 | 16,350,367 | 12,552 |
| 1972 | 15,975,069 | 12,194 |
| 1971 | 15,572,457 | 11,759 |
| 1970 | 15,172,775 | 11,368 |
| 1969 | 14,767,615 | 11,159 |
| 1968 | 14,365,596 | 11,080 |
| 1967 | 13,958,350 | 10,988 |
| 1966 | 13,569,094 | 10,805 |
| 1965 | 13,219,369 | 10,547 |
| 1964 | 12,889,770 | 10,292 |
| 1963 | 12,567,057 | 10,037 |
| 1962 | 12,262,882 | 9,793 |
| 1961 | 11,990,713 | 9,555 |
| 1960 | 11,722,953 | 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/north-korea/palau | CC BY 
From 2006 to 2016, the population of North Korea increased by 1,173,819 people (a 4.79% growth), while Palau lost 1,796 people (a 9.17% decline).
For the next 10 years, from 2016 to 2026, North Korea gained 960,818 people (a 3.74% growth), while Palau's population decreased by 168 people (a 0.94% decline).
North Korea was ranked 46th most populous country in 2006 and is 57th 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) North Korea's population will shrink by 2.95% to 25,871,673 people with a rank change from 57th to 66th. The population of Palau will decrease by 11.7% to 15,562 people and rank change from 194th to 195th.
North Korea is projected to reach its peak in 2032 at 26.8M 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 | |
|---|---|---|
|
North Korea
|
Palau
|
|
| 2100 | -0.65% | -0.57% |
| 2099 | -0.65% | -0.58% |
| 2098 | -0.65% | -0.62% |
| 2097 | -0.65% | -0.57% |
| 2096 | -0.65% | -0.59% |
| 2095 | -0.65% | -0.55% |
| 2094 | -0.64% | -0.58% |
| 2093 | -0.64% | -0.56% |
| 2092 | -0.64% | -0.6% |
| 2091 | -0.63% | -0.65% |
| 2090 | -0.63% | -0.65% |
| 2089 | -0.62% | -0.51% |
| 2088 | -0.62% | -0.6% |
| 2087 | -0.61% | -0.57% |
| 2086 | -0.6% | -0.51% |
| 2085 | -0.6% | -0.65% |
| 2084 | -0.59% | -0.53% |
| 2083 | -0.59% | -0.53% |
| 2082 | -0.58% | -0.6% |
| 2081 | -0.58% | -0.64% |
| 2080 | -0.57% | -0.56% |
| 2079 | -0.57% | -0.58% |
| 2078 | -0.56% | -0.6% |
| 2077 | -0.56% | -0.62% |
| 2076 | -0.56% | -0.59% |
| 2075 | -0.55% | -0.71% |
| 2074 | -0.55% | -0.64% |
| 2073 | -0.55% | -0.53% |
| 2072 | -0.55% | -0.69% |
| 2071 | -0.55% | -0.65% |
| 2070 | -0.55% | -0.68% |
| 2069 | -0.55% | -0.7% |
| 2068 | -0.54% | -0.7% |
| 2067 | -0.54% | -0.74% |
| 2066 | -0.54% | -0.69% |
| 2065 | -0.53% | -0.73% |
| 2064 | -0.53% | -0.75% |
| 2063 | -0.52% | -0.78% |
| 2062 | -0.51% | -0.81% |
| 2061 | -0.5% | -0.74% |
| 2060 | -0.49% | -0.84% |
| 2059 | -0.48% | -0.75% |
| 2058 | -0.47% | -0.88% |
| 2057 | -0.45% | -0.81% |
| 2056 | -0.44% | -0.83% |
| 2055 | -0.42% | -0.81% |
| 2054 | -0.41% | -0.8% |
| 2053 | -0.39% | -0.82% |
| 2052 | -0.38% | -0.78% |
| 2051 | -0.36% | -0.7% |
| 2050 | -0.35% | -0.76% |
| 2049 | -0.33% | -0.73% |
| 2048 | -0.32% | -0.72% |
| 2047 | -0.3% | -0.7% |
| 2046 | -0.29% | -0.67% |
| 2045 | -0.27% | -0.7% |
| 2044 | -0.26% | -0.57% |
| 2043 | -0.24% | -0.64% |
| 2042 | -0.23% | -0.63% |
| 2041 | -0.21% | -0.49% |
| 2040 | -0.2% | -0.57% |
| 2039 | -0.17% | -0.46% |
| 2038 | -0.15% | -0.53% |
| 2037 | -0.13% | -0.41% |
| 2036 | -0.1% | -0.46% |
| 2035 | -0.07% | -0.44% |
| 2034 | -0.04% | -0.42% |
| 2033 | -0.006% | -0.35% |
| 2032 | 0.03% | -0.46% |
| 2031 | 0.07% | -0.39% |
| 2030 | 0.1% | -0.34% |
| 2029 | 0.14% | -0.4% |
| 2028 | 0.18% | -0.28% |
| 2027 | 0.22% | -0.3% |
| 2026 | 0.25% | -0.24% |
| 2025 | 0.29% | -0.13% |
| 2024 | 0.31% | -0.18% |
| 2023 | 0.34% | -0.18% |
| 2022 | 0.37% | -0.13% |
| 2021 | 0.37% | -0.05% |
| 2020 | 0.38% | -0.03% |
| 2019 | 0.41% | -0.09% |
| 2018 | 0.44% | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 0.46% | 0.08% |
| 2016 | 0.48% | 0.15% |
| 2015 | 0.49% | 0.31% |
| 2014 | 0.48% | 0.38% |
| 2013 | 0.47% | -0.66% |
| 2012 | 0.45% | -1.73% |
| 2011 | 0.44% | -1.73% |
| 2010 | 0.44% | -1.67% |
| 2009 | 0.46% | -1.58% |
| 2008 | 0.48% | -1.52% |
| 2007 | 0.5% | -1.49% |
| 2006 | 0.52% | -1.14% |
| 2005 | 0.58% | -0.005% |
| 2004 | 0.68% | 0.82% |
| 2003 | 0.61% | 0.8% |
| 2002 | 0.54% | 0.78% |
| 2001 | 0.63% | 0.91% |
| 2000 | 0.72% | 1.47% |
| 1999 | 0.8% | 2.04% |
| 1998 | 0.87% | 2.3% |
| 1997 | 0.94% | 2.57% |
| 1996 | 1% | 2.67% |
| 1995 | 1.23% | 2.53% |
| 1994 | 1.45% | 2.43% |
| 1993 | 1.48% | 2.4% |
| 1992 | 1.5% | 2.4% |
| 1991 | 1.5% | 2.33% |
| 1990 | 1.48% | 2.1% |
| 1989 | 1.47% | 2.05% |
| 1988 | 1.47% | 2.17% |
| 1987 | 1.48% | 2.21% |
| 1986 | 1.48% | 2.45% |
| 1985 | 1.48% | 2.63% |
| 1984 | 1.47% | 2.54% |
| 1983 | 1.48% | 2.46% |
| 1982 | 1.49% | 2.35% |
| 1981 | 1.45% | 1.07% |
| 1980 | 1.41% | -0.53% |
| 1979 | 1.4% | -0.83% |
| 1978 | 1.39% | -0.68% |
| 1977 | 1.45% | -0.58% |
| 1976 | 1.61% | -0.45% |
| 1975 | 1.79% | -0.25% |
| 1974 | 1.97% | 1.08% |
| 1973 | 2.35% | 2.94% |
| 1972 | 2.59% | 3.7% |
| 1971 | 2.63% | 3.44% |
| 1970 | 2.74% | 1.87% |
| 1969 | 2.8% | 0.71% |
| 1968 | 2.92% | 0.84% |
| 1967 | 2.87% | 1.69% |
| 1966 | 2.65% | 2.45% |
| 1965 | 2.56% | 2.48% |
| 1964 | 2.57% | 2.54% |
| 1963 | 2.48% | 2.49% |
| 1962 | 2.27% | 2.49% |
| 1961 | 2.28% | 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/north-korea/palau | CC BY
In 2024, the population of North Korea grew by 0.31%, while Palau's population declined by 0.18%.
Live population counters
|
North Korea
|
Palau
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Current population |
26659144
|
17629
|
| Population rank | 57/197 | 194/197 |
| Percent of world population | 0.32% | 0.0002% |
| One net population change |
6.52 minutes
|
1.63 weeks
|
| One birth every |
1.54 minutes
|
1.89 days
|
| One death every |
2.05 minutes
|
1.8 days
|
| Daily growth/decline | +221 | +0 |
| Annual growth/decline | +80,619 | -32 |
| Annual growth/decline rate | +0.31% | -0.18% |
| Population growth rate rank | 150/197 | 175/197 |
| One migration net change every |
3.15 hours
|
3.27 weeks
|
| Annual migration change | -2,787 | -16 |
| Net migration rank | 104/196 | 78/196 |
| Foreign-born residents | 50,439 | 5,212 |
| Foreign-born residents rank | 150/195 | 184/195 |
| Foreign-born share of population | 0.2% | 29.5% |
| Foreign-born share rank | 189/195 | 19/195 |
Natural population change vs migration
| Year | Population change | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
North Korea
|
Palau
|
|||
| Natural | Migration | Natural | Migration | |
| 2025 | - | -2,787 | - | -16 |
| 2024 | - | -2,473 | - | -14 |
| 2023 | 86,203 | -1,997 | -10 | -19 |
| 2022 | 96,495 | -1,997 | -7 | -20 |
| 2021 | 99,710 | -1,585 | -3 | -21 |
| 2020 | 95,920 | -1,585 | 8 | 0 |
| 2019 | 106,208 | -3,142 | 23 | -46 |
| 2018 | 113,164 | -3,225 | 29 | -35 |
| 2017 | 120,181 | -3,224 | 43 | -33 |
| 2016 | 125,048 | -3,222 | 53 | -35 |
| 2015 | 127,365 | -3,208 | 55 | -11 |
| 2014 | 127,078 | -3,042 | 73 | -7 |
| 2013 | 122,519 | -2,933 | 88 | -28 |
| 2012 | 118,773 | -2,919 | 86 | -387 |
| 2011 | 114,798 | -2,957 | 83 | -405 |
| 2010 | 112,443 | -3,053 | 81 | -392 |
| 2009 | 111,530 | -3,058 | 81 | -382 |
| 2008 | 122,015 | -3,051 | 79 | -378 |
| 2007 | 120,521 | -3,021 | 80 | -372 |
| 2006 | 129,171 | -2,948 | 79 | -365 |
| 2005 | 132,765 | -2,861 | 80 | -250 |
| 2004 | 155,838 | -2,758 | 83 | 79 |
| 2003 | 178,775 | -2,717 | 86 | 71 |
| 2002 | 119,504 | -2,763 | 88 | 67 |
| 2001 | 143,321 | -2,884 | 88 | 65 |
| 2000 | 161,591 | -3,142 | 85 | 120 |
| 1999 | 181,613 | -3,443 | 100 | 243 |
| 1998 | 197,589 | -3,706 | 116 | 280 |
| 1997 | 211,325 | -3,745 | 140 | 297 |
| 1996 | 226,095 | -3,512 | 166 | 312 |
| 1995 | 233,381 | -3,094 | 186 | 258 |
| 1994 | 320,861 | -517 | 195 | 211 |
| 1993 | 320,880 | 0 | 196 | 193 |
| 1992 | 324,002 | 0 | 183 | 193 |
| 1991 | 320,551 | 0 | 175 | 193 |
| 1990 | 312,460 | 0 | 181 | 156 |
| 1989 | 303,078 | 0 | 185 | 113 |
| 1988 | 299,305 | 0 | 183 | 126 |
| 1987 | 296,030 | 0 | 182 | 125 |
| 1986 | 293,227 | 0 | 182 | 135 |
| 1985 | 287,714 | 0 | 181 | 179 |
| 1984 | 282,987 | 0 | 181 | 157 |
| 1983 | 279,046 | 0 | 176 | 144 |
| 1982 | 276,332 | 0 | 170 | 132 |
| 1981 | 273,800 | 0 | 161 | 120 |
| 1980 | 255,206 | 0 | 165 | -179 |
| 1979 | 251,409 | 0 | 176 | -291 |
| 1978 | 243,533 | 0 | 193 | -285 |
| 1977 | 242,870 | 0 | 213 | -292 |
| 1976 | 255,841 | 0 | 236 | -296 |
| 1975 | 288,966 | 0 | 249 | -296 |
| 1974 | 306,902 | 0 | 256 | -282 |
| 1973 | 338,600 | 0 | 268 | 22 |
| 1972 | 411,997 | 0 | 280 | 147 |
| 1971 | 393,220 | 0 | 287 | 156 |
| 1970 | 406,129 | 0 | 286 | 54 |
| 1969 | 404,189 | 0 | 283 | -209 |
| 1968 | 399,837 | 0 | 275 | -194 |
| 1967 | 414,632 | 0 | 266 | -150 |
| 1966 | 363,882 | 0 | 268 | -18 |
| 1965 | 335,587 | 0 | 275 | -16 |
| 1964 | 323,623 | 0 | 284 | -27 |
| 1963 | 321,805 | 0 | 291 | -41 |
| 1962 | 286,534 | 0 | 296 | -54 |
| 1961 | 257,788 | 0 | 298 | -65 |
| 1960 | 277,717 | 0 | 296 | -70 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/population/north-korea/palau | CC BY
Over the last 10 years, 97.7% of the population change in North Korea is from natural causes (a gain of 1,097,372 people) and 2.33% is from migration (a loss of 26,227 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, 50,439 residents or 0.2% of the population were not native-born in North Korea, compared to 5,212 people or 29.5% in Palau.
Biggest cities by population
|
North Korea
|
|
|---|---|
| City | Population |
| Pyongyang | 2.86M |
| Hamhung | 769K |
| Chongjin | 668K |
| Sunchon | 437K |
| Nampo | 367K |
| Wonsan | 363K |
| Sinuiju | 359K |
| Tanchon | 346K |
| Kaechon | 320K |
| Kaesong | 308K |
|
Palau
|
|
|---|---|
| City | Population |
| Ngerulmud | 318 |
| Melekeok | 299 |
Compare countries by 7 more topics
Population differences between North Korea and Palau
|
North Korea
|
Palau
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy | 74 years | 69.6 years |
| Average age | 38 years | 38.4 years |
| Median age | 37.3 years | 39.2 years |
| Male:Female ratio | 49.5:50.5 | 53.9:46.1 |
| Fertility rate | 1.78 births per woman | 1.91 births per woman |
| Population density | 573 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/north-korea/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)
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.