The latest officially reported population of Palau was 17,695 in 2024 vs 10,576,502 people in Papua New Guinea in 2024. In 2026, based on the adjusted UN estimation, the current Palau's population is 17,629 people compared to 11,002,753 in Papua New Guinea.
Population statistics:
- Papua New Guinea's population is 624 times bigger than Palau's.
- Palau is ranked the 194th most populous country in the world, while Papua New Guinea is the 89th.
- The countries together account for 0.13% of the world: 0.0002% for Palau vs 0.13% for Papua New Guinea.
- For the last 10 years, Palau has had an average growth rate of +0.02% per year vs +2.23% in Papua New Guinea.
- Since 2006, the population of Palau has decreased from 19.6K people to 17.6K (10% decline), while Papua New Guinea has grown from 6.75M to 11M (63.1% growth).
Palau vs Papua New Guinea: population by year and forecast
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
Palau
|
Papua New Guinea
|
|
| 2100 | 11,152 | 18,802,138 |
| 2099 | 11,216 | 18,790,040 |
| 2098 | 11,281 | 18,776,265 |
| 2097 | 11,352 | 18,758,897 |
| 2096 | 11,417 | 18,737,707 |
| 2095 | 11,485 | 18,714,219 |
| 2094 | 11,549 | 18,687,257 |
| 2093 | 11,616 | 18,658,233 |
| 2092 | 11,682 | 18,625,772 |
| 2091 | 11,753 | 18,590,001 |
| 2090 | 11,829 | 18,549,501 |
| 2089 | 11,907 | 18,510,463 |
| 2088 | 11,968 | 18,468,827 |
| 2087 | 12,040 | 18,424,378 |
| 2086 | 12,109 | 18,376,043 |
| 2085 | 12,171 | 18,325,641 |
| 2084 | 12,251 | 18,274,394 |
| 2083 | 12,316 | 18,218,709 |
| 2082 | 12,382 | 18,163,177 |
| 2081 | 12,457 | 18,104,285 |
| 2080 | 12,537 | 18,039,008 |
| 2079 | 12,608 | 17,975,778 |
| 2078 | 12,681 | 17,908,670 |
| 2077 | 12,758 | 17,840,781 |
| 2076 | 12,838 | 17,771,791 |
| 2075 | 12,914 | 17,699,428 |
| 2074 | 13,007 | 17,625,044 |
| 2073 | 13,091 | 17,548,128 |
| 2072 | 13,161 | 17,466,649 |
| 2071 | 13,252 | 17,381,598 |
| 2070 | 13,338 | 17,295,105 |
| 2069 | 13,430 | 17,205,503 |
| 2068 | 13,525 | 17,112,154 |
| 2067 | 13,621 | 17,015,090 |
| 2066 | 13,723 | 16,915,436 |
| 2065 | 13,818 | 16,812,946 |
| 2064 | 13,920 | 16,708,669 |
| 2063 | 14,025 | 16,604,296 |
| 2062 | 14,136 | 16,497,292 |
| 2061 | 14,251 | 16,386,905 |
| 2060 | 14,358 | 16,270,535 |
| 2059 | 14,479 | 16,152,614 |
| 2058 | 14,589 | 16,032,684 |
| 2057 | 14,718 | 15,909,649 |
| 2056 | 14,837 | 15,784,519 |
| 2055 | 14,961 | 15,656,542 |
| 2054 | 15,084 | 15,523,143 |
| 2053 | 15,206 | 15,389,244 |
| 2052 | 15,332 | 15,250,715 |
| 2051 | 15,453 | 15,110,389 |
| 2050 | 15,562 | 14,968,530 |
| 2049 | 15,682 | 14,821,865 |
| 2048 | 15,797 | 14,673,459 |
| 2047 | 15,912 | 14,522,926 |
| 2046 | 16,024 | 14,370,120 |
| 2045 | 16,132 | 14,213,585 |
| 2044 | 16,245 | 14,056,036 |
| 2043 | 16,339 | 13,897,765 |
| 2042 | 16,445 | 13,738,690 |
| 2041 | 16,549 | 13,577,382 |
| 2040 | 16,631 | 13,413,396 |
| 2039 | 16,727 | 13,247,486 |
| 2038 | 16,805 | 13,079,352 |
| 2037 | 16,895 | 12,909,735 |
| 2036 | 16,964 | 12,738,223 |
| 2035 | 17,042 | 12,566,543 |
| 2034 | 17,118 | 12,392,476 |
| 2033 | 17,190 | 12,218,246 |
| 2032 | 17,250 | 12,042,345 |
| 2031 | 17,330 | 11,865,316 |
| 2030 | 17,398 | 11,685,599 |
| 2029 | 17,457 | 11,504,890 |
| 2028 | 17,527 | 11,322,573 |
| 2027 | 17,576 | 11,138,409 |
| 2026 | 17,629 | 10,952,454 |
| 2025 | 17,672 | 10,765,048 |
| 2024 | 17,695 | 10,576,502 |
| 2023 | 17,727 | 10,389,635 |
| 2022 | 17,759 | 10,203,169 |
| 2021 | 17,783 | 10,012,896 |
| 2020 | 17,792 | 9,815,746 |
| 2019 | 17,798 | 9,609,010 |
| 2018 | 17,814 | 9,394,513 |
| 2017 | 17,812 | 9,178,714 |
| 2016 | 17,797 | 8,961,718 |
| 2015 | 17,770 | 8,743,246 |
| 2014 | 17,715 | 8,523,441 |
| 2013 | 17,648 | 8,302,698 |
| 2012 | 17,765 | 8,081,390 |
| 2011 | 18,078 | 7,859,346 |
| 2010 | 18,396 | 7,633,523 |
| 2009 | 18,709 | 7,406,438 |
| 2008 | 19,009 | 7,183,002 |
| 2007 | 19,302 | 6,963,345 |
| 2006 | 19,593 | 6,747,720 |
| 2005 | 19,819 | 6,535,905 |
| 2004 | 19,820 | 6,328,041 |
| 2003 | 19,659 | 6,123,997 |
| 2002 | 19,503 | 5,924,003 |
| 2001 | 19,352 | 5,728,435 |
| 2000 | 19,178 | 5,537,064 |
| 1999 | 18,901 | 5,349,333 |
| 1998 | 18,524 | 5,166,390 |
| 1997 | 18,108 | 4,987,883 |
| 1996 | 17,654 | 4,813,361 |
| 1995 | 17,195 | 4,644,278 |
| 1994 | 16,770 | 4,480,208 |
| 1993 | 16,372 | 4,320,872 |
| 1992 | 15,989 | 4,166,699 |
| 1991 | 15,614 | 4,021,837 |
| 1990 | 15,259 | 3,896,481 |
| 1989 | 14,945 | 3,796,078 |
| 1988 | 14,645 | 3,711,880 |
| 1987 | 14,334 | 3,632,543 |
| 1986 | 14,024 | 3,554,793 |
| 1985 | 13,688 | 3,478,936 |
| 1984 | 13,337 | 3,405,198 |
| 1983 | 13,006 | 3,333,633 |
| 1982 | 12,694 | 3,264,291 |
| 1981 | 12,402 | 3,197,019 |
| 1980 | 12,271 | 3,131,512 |
| 1979 | 12,337 | 3,067,341 |
| 1978 | 12,440 | 3,003,714 |
| 1977 | 12,525 | 2,940,327 |
| 1976 | 12,598 | 2,877,327 |
| 1975 | 12,655 | 2,814,820 |
| 1974 | 12,687 | 2,752,671 |
| 1973 | 12,552 | 2,690,629 |
| 1972 | 12,194 | 2,628,432 |
| 1971 | 11,759 | 2,566,421 |
| 1970 | 11,368 | 2,505,628 |
| 1969 | 11,159 | 2,446,927 |
| 1968 | 11,080 | 2,390,803 |
| 1967 | 10,988 | 2,337,532 |
| 1966 | 10,805 | 2,285,774 |
| 1965 | 10,547 | 2,235,820 |
| 1964 | 10,292 | 2,188,325 |
| 1963 | 10,037 | 2,141,376 |
| 1962 | 9,793 | 2,093,919 |
| 1961 | 9,555 | 2,046,127 |
| 1960 | 9,328 | 1,995,110 |
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/palau/papua-new-guinea | CC BY 
From 2006 to 2016, the population of Palau decreased by 1,796 people (a 9.17% decline), while Papua New Guinea gained 2,213,998 people (a 32.8% growth).
For the next 10 years, from 2016 to 2026, Palau lost 168 people (a 0.94% decline), while Papua New Guinea's population increased by 2,041,035 people (a 22.8% growth).
Palau was ranked 194th most populous country in 2006 and is still 194th in 2026. Papua New Guinea was ranked 100th in 2006 and ranked 89th now.
The UN's World Population Prospects forecasts that in 24 years (in 2050) Palau's population will shrink by 11.7% to 15,562 people with a rank change from 194th to 195th. The population of Papua New Guinea will increase by 36% to 14,968,530 people and rank change from 89th to 85th.
Papua New Guinea is projected to reach its peak in 2100 at 18.8M 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 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Palau
|
Papua New Guinea
|
|
| 2100 | -0.57% | 0.06% |
| 2099 | -0.58% | 0.07% |
| 2098 | -0.62% | 0.09% |
| 2097 | -0.57% | 0.11% |
| 2096 | -0.59% | 0.13% |
| 2095 | -0.55% | 0.14% |
| 2094 | -0.58% | 0.16% |
| 2093 | -0.56% | 0.17% |
| 2092 | -0.6% | 0.19% |
| 2091 | -0.65% | 0.22% |
| 2090 | -0.65% | 0.21% |
| 2089 | -0.51% | 0.23% |
| 2088 | -0.6% | 0.24% |
| 2087 | -0.57% | 0.26% |
| 2086 | -0.51% | 0.28% |
| 2085 | -0.65% | 0.28% |
| 2084 | -0.53% | 0.31% |
| 2083 | -0.53% | 0.31% |
| 2082 | -0.6% | 0.33% |
| 2081 | -0.64% | 0.36% |
| 2080 | -0.56% | 0.35% |
| 2079 | -0.58% | 0.37% |
| 2078 | -0.6% | 0.38% |
| 2077 | -0.62% | 0.39% |
| 2076 | -0.59% | 0.41% |
| 2075 | -0.71% | 0.42% |
| 2074 | -0.64% | 0.44% |
| 2073 | -0.53% | 0.47% |
| 2072 | -0.69% | 0.49% |
| 2071 | -0.65% | 0.5% |
| 2070 | -0.68% | 0.52% |
| 2069 | -0.7% | 0.55% |
| 2068 | -0.7% | 0.57% |
| 2067 | -0.74% | 0.59% |
| 2066 | -0.69% | 0.61% |
| 2065 | -0.73% | 0.62% |
| 2064 | -0.75% | 0.63% |
| 2063 | -0.78% | 0.65% |
| 2062 | -0.81% | 0.67% |
| 2061 | -0.74% | 0.72% |
| 2060 | -0.84% | 0.73% |
| 2059 | -0.75% | 0.75% |
| 2058 | -0.88% | 0.77% |
| 2057 | -0.81% | 0.79% |
| 2056 | -0.83% | 0.82% |
| 2055 | -0.81% | 0.86% |
| 2054 | -0.8% | 0.87% |
| 2053 | -0.82% | 0.91% |
| 2052 | -0.78% | 0.93% |
| 2051 | -0.7% | 0.95% |
| 2050 | -0.76% | 0.99% |
| 2049 | -0.73% | 1.01% |
| 2048 | -0.72% | 1.04% |
| 2047 | -0.7% | 1.06% |
| 2046 | -0.67% | 1.1% |
| 2045 | -0.7% | 1.12% |
| 2044 | -0.57% | 1.14% |
| 2043 | -0.64% | 1.16% |
| 2042 | -0.63% | 1.19% |
| 2041 | -0.49% | 1.22% |
| 2040 | -0.57% | 1.25% |
| 2039 | -0.46% | 1.29% |
| 2038 | -0.53% | 1.31% |
| 2037 | -0.41% | 1.35% |
| 2036 | -0.46% | 1.37% |
| 2035 | -0.44% | 1.4% |
| 2034 | -0.42% | 1.43% |
| 2033 | -0.35% | 1.46% |
| 2032 | -0.46% | 1.49% |
| 2031 | -0.39% | 1.54% |
| 2030 | -0.34% | 1.57% |
| 2029 | -0.4% | 1.61% |
| 2028 | -0.28% | 1.65% |
| 2027 | -0.3% | 1.7% |
| 2026 | -0.24% | 1.74% |
| 2025 | -0.13% | 1.78% |
| 2024 | -0.18% | 1.8% |
| 2023 | -0.18% | 1.83% |
| 2022 | -0.13% | 1.9% |
| 2021 | -0.05% | 2.01% |
| 2020 | -0.03% | 2.15% |
| 2019 | -0.09% | 2.28% |
| 2018 | 0.01% | 2.35% |
| 2017 | 0.08% | 2.42% |
| 2016 | 0.15% | 2.5% |
| 2015 | 0.31% | 2.58% |
| 2014 | 0.38% | 2.66% |
| 2013 | -0.66% | 2.74% |
| 2012 | -1.73% | 2.83% |
| 2011 | -1.73% | 2.96% |
| 2010 | -1.67% | 3.07% |
| 2009 | -1.58% | 3.11% |
| 2008 | -1.52% | 3.15% |
| 2007 | -1.49% | 3.2% |
| 2006 | -1.14% | 3.24% |
| 2005 | -0.005% | 3.28% |
| 2004 | 0.82% | 3.33% |
| 2003 | 0.8% | 3.38% |
| 2002 | 0.78% | 3.41% |
| 2001 | 0.91% | 3.46% |
| 2000 | 1.47% | 3.51% |
| 1999 | 2.04% | 3.54% |
| 1998 | 2.3% | 3.58% |
| 1997 | 2.57% | 3.63% |
| 1996 | 2.67% | 3.64% |
| 1995 | 2.53% | 3.66% |
| 1994 | 2.43% | 3.69% |
| 1993 | 2.4% | 3.7% |
| 1992 | 2.4% | 3.6% |
| 1991 | 2.33% | 3.22% |
| 1990 | 2.1% | 2.64% |
| 1989 | 2.05% | 2.27% |
| 1988 | 2.17% | 2.18% |
| 1987 | 2.21% | 2.19% |
| 1986 | 2.45% | 2.18% |
| 1985 | 2.63% | 2.17% |
| 1984 | 2.54% | 2.15% |
| 1983 | 2.46% | 2.12% |
| 1982 | 2.35% | 2.1% |
| 1981 | 1.07% | 2.09% |
| 1980 | -0.53% | 2.09% |
| 1979 | -0.83% | 2.12% |
| 1978 | -0.68% | 2.16% |
| 1977 | -0.58% | 2.19% |
| 1976 | -0.45% | 2.22% |
| 1975 | -0.25% | 2.26% |
| 1974 | 1.08% | 2.31% |
| 1973 | 2.94% | 2.37% |
| 1972 | 3.7% | 2.42% |
| 1971 | 3.44% | 2.43% |
| 1970 | 1.87% | 2.4% |
| 1969 | 0.71% | 2.35% |
| 1968 | 0.84% | 2.28% |
| 1967 | 1.69% | 2.26% |
| 1966 | 2.45% | 2.23% |
| 1965 | 2.48% | 2.17% |
| 1964 | 2.54% | 2.19% |
| 1963 | 2.49% | 2.27% |
| 1962 | 2.49% | 2.34% |
| 1961 | 2.43% | 2.56% |
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/palau/papua-new-guinea | CC BY
In 2024, the population of Palau declined by 0.18%, while Papua New Guinea's population grew by 1.8%.
Live population counters
|
Palau
|
Papua New Guinea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Current population |
17629
|
11002753
|
| Population rank | 194/197 | 89/197 |
| Percent of world population | 0.0002% | 0.13% |
| One net population change |
1.63 weeks
|
2.81 minutes
|
| One birth every |
1.89 days
|
2.06 minutes
|
| One death every |
1.8 days
|
7.76 minutes
|
| Daily growth/decline | +0 | +512 |
| Annual growth/decline | -32 | +186,867 |
| Annual growth/decline rate | -0.18% | +1.8% |
| Population growth rate rank | 175/197 | 59/197 |
| One migration net change every |
3.27 weeks
|
1.29 days
|
| Annual migration change | -16 | -284 |
| Net migration rank | 78/196 | 87/196 |
| Foreign-born residents | 5,212 | 31,171 |
| Foreign-born residents rank | 184/195 | 163/195 |
| Foreign-born share of population | 29.5% | 0.3% |
| Foreign-born share rank | 19/195 | 183/195 |
Natural population change vs migration
| Year | Population change | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Palau
|
Papua New Guinea
|
|||
| Natural | Migration | Natural | Migration | |
| 2025 | - | -16 | - | -284 |
| 2024 | - | -14 | - | -707 |
| 2023 | -10 | -19 | 187,637 | -787 |
| 2022 | -7 | -20 | 186,861 | -787 |
| 2021 | -3 | -21 | 183,766 | 10,703 |
| 2020 | 8 | 0 | 189,130 | 10,703 |
| 2019 | 23 | -46 | 190,662 | 22,978 |
| 2018 | 29 | -35 | 190,662 | 24,684 |
| 2017 | 43 | -33 | 189,715 | 26,513 |
| 2016 | 53 | -35 | 189,281 | 28,473 |
| 2015 | 55 | -11 | 188,600 | 30,580 |
| 2014 | 73 | -7 | 187,592 | 32,840 |
| 2013 | 88 | -28 | 185,790 | 35,280 |
| 2012 | 86 | -387 | 183,658 | 37,893 |
| 2011 | 83 | -405 | 181,842 | 40,690 |
| 2010 | 81 | -392 | 178,998 | 50,106 |
| 2009 | 81 | -382 | 175,421 | 49,647 |
| 2008 | 79 | -378 | 172,823 | 48,985 |
| 2007 | 80 | -372 | 169,306 | 48,203 |
| 2006 | 79 | -365 | 166,540 | 47,191 |
| 2005 | 80 | -250 | 163,888 | 46,014 |
| 2004 | 83 | 79 | 161,023 | 44,811 |
| 2003 | 86 | 71 | 158,611 | 43,639 |
| 2002 | 88 | 67 | 155,091 | 42,657 |
| 2001 | 88 | 65 | 151,431 | 41,962 |
| 2000 | 85 | 120 | 147,496 | 41,855 |
| 1999 | 100 | 243 | 143,592 | 42,519 |
| 1998 | 116 | 280 | 136,677 | 43,091 |
| 1997 | 140 | 297 | 134,458 | 42,787 |
| 1996 | 166 | 312 | 129,802 | 41,994 |
| 1995 | 186 | 258 | 125,410 | 40,962 |
| 1994 | 195 | 211 | 122,113 | 39,669 |
| 1993 | 196 | 193 | 118,668 | 38,220 |
| 1992 | 183 | 193 | 114,818 | 36,622 |
| 1991 | 175 | 193 | 111,453 | 26,830 |
| 1990 | 181 | 156 | 110,033 | 2,398 |
| 1989 | 185 | 113 | 108,199 | -19,824 |
| 1988 | 183 | 126 | 106,256 | -26,232 |
| 1987 | 182 | 125 | 104,367 | -25,720 |
| 1986 | 182 | 135 | 102,346 | -25,495 |
| 1985 | 181 | 179 | 100,333 | -25,470 |
| 1984 | 181 | 157 | 98,103 | -25,487 |
| 1983 | 176 | 144 | 95,982 | -25,465 |
| 1982 | 170 | 132 | 93,522 | -25,355 |
| 1981 | 161 | 120 | 91,767 | -25,383 |
| 1980 | 165 | -179 | 90,266 | -25,638 |
| 1979 | 176 | -291 | 89,330 | -25,618 |
| 1978 | 193 | -285 | 88,747 | -25,208 |
| 1977 | 213 | -292 | 87,954 | -24,722 |
| 1976 | 236 | -296 | 86,965 | -24,198 |
| 1975 | 249 | -296 | 85,809 | -23,562 |
| 1974 | 256 | -282 | 84,829 | -22,771 |
| 1973 | 268 | 22 | 83,821 | -21,803 |
| 1972 | 280 | 147 | 82,672 | -20,303 |
| 1971 | 287 | 156 | 80,599 | -18,945 |
| 1970 | 286 | 54 | 78,712 | -18,773 |
| 1969 | 283 | -209 | 76,454 | -18,994 |
| 1968 | 275 | -194 | 73,983 | -19,188 |
| 1967 | 266 | -150 | 71,519 | -19,767 |
| 1966 | 268 | -18 | 69,206 | -17,454 |
| 1965 | 275 | -16 | 66,693 | -18,532 |
| 1964 | 284 | -27 | 64,558 | -17,730 |
| 1963 | 291 | -41 | 62,260 | -15,189 |
| 1962 | 296 | -54 | 59,974 | -12,141 |
| 1961 | 298 | -65 | 58,151 | -10,409 |
| 1960 | 296 | -70 | 56,326 | -2,034 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/population/palau/papua-new-guinea | CC BY
Over the last 10 years, 53.8% of the population change in Palau is from natural causes (a gain of 264 people) and 46.2% is from migration (a loss of 227 people). In Papua New Guinea 91% is from natural causes (a gain of 1,883,906 people) and 8.98% is from migration (a gain of 185,900 people).
As of 2024, 5,212 residents or 29.5% of the population were not native-born in Palau, compared to 31,171 people or 0.3% in Papua New Guinea.
Biggest cities by population
|
Palau
|
|
|---|---|
| City | Population |
| Ngerulmud | 318 |
| Melekeok | 299 |
|
Papua New Guinea
|
|
|---|---|
| City | Population |
| Port Moresby | 317K |
| Lae | 101K |
Compare countries by 7 more topics
Population differences between Palau and Papua New Guinea
|
Palau
|
Papua New Guinea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy | 69.6 years | 66.5 years |
| Average age | 38.4 years | 26.7 years |
| Median age | 39.2 years | 23.6 years |
| Male:Female ratio | 53.9:46.1 | 51.4:48.6 |
| Fertility rate | 1.91 births per woman | 3.1 births per woman |
| Population density | 99.3 ppl/mi² | 62.6 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/palau/papua-new-guinea | 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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