The latest officially reported population of Palau was 17,663 in 2025 vs 9,092,436 people in Switzerland in 2025. In 2026, based on the adjusted UN estimation, the current Palau's population is 17,620 people compared to 9,155,878 in Switzerland.
Population statistics:
- Switzerland's population is 520 times bigger than Palau's.
- Palau is ranked the 194th most populous country in the world, while Switzerland is the 99th.
- The countries together account for 0.11% of the world: 0.0002% for Palau vs 0.11% for Switzerland.
- For the last 10 years, Palau has had an average growth rate of -0.03% per year vs +0.96% in Switzerland.
- Since 2006, the population of Palau has decreased from 19.6K people to 17.6K (10.1% decline), while Switzerland has grown from 7.48M to 9.16M (22.3% growth).
Palau vs Switzerland: population by year and forecast
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
Palau
|
Switzerland
|
|
| 2100 | 11,146 | 9,273,514 |
| 2099 | 11,210 | 9,265,656 |
| 2098 | 11,275 | 9,259,266 |
| 2097 | 11,346 | 9,251,854 |
| 2096 | 11,411 | 9,248,107 |
| 2095 | 11,479 | 9,242,564 |
| 2094 | 11,543 | 9,238,163 |
| 2093 | 11,610 | 9,235,730 |
| 2092 | 11,676 | 9,233,129 |
| 2091 | 11,747 | 9,230,180 |
| 2090 | 11,823 | 9,228,148 |
| 2089 | 11,901 | 9,227,779 |
| 2088 | 11,962 | 9,229,133 |
| 2087 | 12,034 | 9,228,792 |
| 2086 | 12,103 | 9,230,530 |
| 2085 | 12,165 | 9,234,782 |
| 2084 | 12,245 | 9,239,056 |
| 2083 | 12,310 | 9,244,001 |
| 2082 | 12,376 | 9,249,813 |
| 2081 | 12,451 | 9,256,210 |
| 2080 | 12,531 | 9,262,647 |
| 2079 | 12,602 | 9,270,123 |
| 2078 | 12,674 | 9,276,881 |
| 2077 | 12,751 | 9,284,565 |
| 2076 | 12,831 | 9,289,534 |
| 2075 | 12,907 | 9,295,062 |
| 2074 | 13,000 | 9,305,809 |
| 2073 | 13,084 | 9,314,832 |
| 2072 | 13,154 | 9,322,610 |
| 2071 | 13,245 | 9,332,380 |
| 2070 | 13,332 | 9,343,357 |
| 2069 | 13,424 | 9,351,483 |
| 2068 | 13,518 | 9,359,919 |
| 2067 | 13,614 | 9,367,355 |
| 2066 | 13,716 | 9,379,120 |
| 2065 | 13,811 | 9,391,197 |
| 2064 | 13,913 | 9,402,175 |
| 2063 | 14,018 | 9,412,246 |
| 2062 | 14,129 | 9,423,109 |
| 2061 | 14,244 | 9,434,937 |
| 2060 | 14,350 | 9,443,858 |
| 2059 | 14,471 | 9,454,223 |
| 2058 | 14,581 | 9,462,577 |
| 2057 | 14,710 | 9,468,254 |
| 2056 | 14,830 | 9,475,514 |
| 2055 | 14,954 | 9,483,998 |
| 2054 | 15,077 | 9,491,408 |
| 2053 | 15,198 | 9,496,551 |
| 2052 | 15,324 | 9,496,579 |
| 2051 | 15,445 | 9,496,556 |
| 2050 | 15,554 | 9,494,698 |
| 2049 | 15,674 | 9,491,222 |
| 2048 | 15,789 | 9,484,200 |
| 2047 | 15,904 | 9,477,140 |
| 2046 | 16,015 | 9,471,007 |
| 2045 | 16,123 | 9,465,183 |
| 2044 | 16,237 | 9,458,151 |
| 2043 | 16,331 | 9,450,730 |
| 2042 | 16,437 | 9,440,733 |
| 2041 | 16,541 | 9,433,753 |
| 2040 | 16,623 | 9,422,510 |
| 2039 | 16,719 | 9,413,795 |
| 2038 | 16,797 | 9,404,803 |
| 2037 | 16,886 | 9,393,982 |
| 2036 | 16,955 | 9,382,127 |
| 2035 | 17,033 | 9,368,526 |
| 2034 | 17,109 | 9,351,603 |
| 2033 | 17,181 | 9,334,357 |
| 2032 | 17,241 | 9,315,617 |
| 2031 | 17,321 | 9,292,331 |
| 2030 | 17,389 | 9,267,380 |
| 2029 | 17,448 | 9,240,823 |
| 2028 | 17,518 | 9,209,567 |
| 2027 | 17,567 | 9,174,540 |
| 2026 | 17,620 | 9,136,169 |
| 2025 | 17,663 | 9,092,436 |
| 2024 | 17,695 | 9,005,582 |
| 2023 | 17,727 | 8,888,822 |
| 2022 | 17,759 | 8,777,088 |
| 2021 | 17,783 | 8,704,546 |
| 2020 | 17,792 | 8,638,167 |
| 2019 | 17,798 | 8,575,280 |
| 2018 | 17,814 | 8,514,329 |
| 2017 | 17,812 | 8,451,840 |
| 2016 | 17,797 | 8,373,338 |
| 2015 | 17,770 | 8,282,396 |
| 2014 | 17,715 | 8,188,649 |
| 2013 | 17,648 | 8,089,346 |
| 2012 | 17,765 | 7,996,861 |
| 2011 | 18,078 | 7,912,398 |
| 2010 | 18,396 | 7,824,909 |
| 2009 | 18,709 | 7,743,831 |
| 2008 | 19,009 | 7,647,675 |
| 2007 | 19,302 | 7,551,117 |
| 2006 | 19,593 | 7,483,934 |
| 2005 | 19,819 | 7,437,115 |
| 2004 | 19,820 | 7,389,625 |
| 2003 | 19,659 | 7,339,001 |
| 2002 | 19,503 | 7,284,753 |
| 2001 | 19,352 | 7,229,854 |
| 2000 | 19,178 | 7,184,250 |
| 1999 | 18,901 | 7,143,991 |
| 1998 | 18,524 | 7,110,001 |
| 1997 | 18,108 | 7,088,906 |
| 1996 | 17,654 | 7,071,850 |
| 1995 | 17,195 | 7,040,687 |
| 1994 | 16,770 | 6,993,795 |
| 1993 | 16,372 | 6,938,265 |
| 1992 | 15,989 | 6,875,364 |
| 1991 | 15,614 | 6,799,978 |
| 1990 | 15,259 | 6,715,519 |
| 1989 | 14,945 | 6,646,912 |
| 1988 | 14,645 | 6,593,386 |
| 1987 | 14,334 | 6,545,106 |
| 1986 | 14,024 | 6,504,124 |
| 1985 | 13,688 | 6,470,365 |
| 1984 | 13,337 | 6,441,865 |
| 1983 | 13,006 | 6,418,773 |
| 1982 | 12,694 | 6,391,309 |
| 1981 | 12,402 | 6,354,074 |
| 1980 | 12,271 | 6,319,408 |
| 1979 | 12,337 | 6,294,365 |
| 1978 | 12,440 | 6,281,738 |
| 1977 | 12,525 | 6,281,174 |
| 1976 | 12,598 | 6,302,504 |
| 1975 | 12,655 | 6,338,632 |
| 1974 | 12,687 | 6,341,405 |
| 1973 | 12,552 | 6,307,347 |
| 1972 | 12,194 | 6,260,956 |
| 1971 | 11,759 | 6,213,399 |
| 1970 | 11,368 | 6,180,877 |
| 1969 | 11,159 | 6,136,387 |
| 1968 | 11,080 | 6,067,714 |
| 1967 | 10,988 | 5,991,785 |
| 1966 | 10,805 | 5,918,002 |
| 1965 | 10,547 | 5,856,472 |
| 1964 | 10,292 | 5,789,228 |
| 1963 | 10,037 | 5,694,247 |
| 1962 | 9,793 | 5,573,815 |
| 1961 | 9,555 | 5,434,294 |
| 1960 | 9,328 | 5,327,827 |
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/palau/switzerland | CC BY 
From 2006 to 2016, the population of Palau decreased by 1,796 people (a 9.17% decline), while Switzerland gained 889,404 people (a 11.9% growth).
For the next 10 years, from 2016 to 2026, Palau lost 177 people (a 0.99% decline), while Switzerland's population increased by 782,540 people (a 9.35% growth).
Palau was ranked 194th most populous country in 2006 and is still 194th in 2026. Switzerland was ranked 96th in 2006 and ranked 99th now.
The UN's World Population Prospects forecasts that in 24 years (in 2050) Palau's population will shrink by 11.7% to 15,554 people with a rank change from 194th to 195th. The population of Switzerland will increase by 3.7% to 9,494,698 people and rank change from 99th to 102nd.
Switzerland is projected to reach its peak in 2052 at 9.5M 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 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Palau
|
Switzerland
|
|
| 2100 | -0.57% | 0.08% |
| 2099 | -0.58% | 0.07% |
| 2098 | -0.62% | 0.08% |
| 2097 | -0.57% | 0.04% |
| 2096 | -0.59% | 0.06% |
| 2095 | -0.55% | 0.05% |
| 2094 | -0.58% | 0.03% |
| 2093 | -0.56% | 0.03% |
| 2092 | -0.6% | 0.03% |
| 2091 | -0.65% | 0.02% |
| 2090 | -0.65% | 0.004% |
| 2089 | -0.51% | -0.01% |
| 2088 | -0.6% | 0.004% |
| 2087 | -0.57% | -0.02% |
| 2086 | -0.51% | -0.05% |
| 2085 | -0.65% | -0.05% |
| 2084 | -0.53% | -0.05% |
| 2083 | -0.53% | -0.06% |
| 2082 | -0.6% | -0.07% |
| 2081 | -0.64% | -0.07% |
| 2080 | -0.56% | -0.08% |
| 2079 | -0.58% | -0.07% |
| 2078 | -0.6% | -0.08% |
| 2077 | -0.62% | -0.05% |
| 2076 | -0.59% | -0.06% |
| 2075 | -0.71% | -0.12% |
| 2074 | -0.64% | -0.1% |
| 2073 | -0.53% | -0.08% |
| 2072 | -0.69% | -0.1% |
| 2071 | -0.65% | -0.12% |
| 2070 | -0.68% | -0.09% |
| 2069 | -0.7% | -0.09% |
| 2068 | -0.7% | -0.08% |
| 2067 | -0.74% | -0.13% |
| 2066 | -0.69% | -0.13% |
| 2065 | -0.73% | -0.12% |
| 2064 | -0.75% | -0.11% |
| 2063 | -0.78% | -0.12% |
| 2062 | -0.81% | -0.13% |
| 2061 | -0.74% | -0.09% |
| 2060 | -0.84% | -0.11% |
| 2059 | -0.75% | -0.09% |
| 2058 | -0.88% | -0.06% |
| 2057 | -0.81% | -0.08% |
| 2056 | -0.83% | -0.09% |
| 2055 | -0.81% | -0.08% |
| 2054 | -0.8% | -0.05% |
| 2053 | -0.82% | -0% |
| 2052 | -0.78% | 0% |
| 2051 | -0.7% | 0.02% |
| 2050 | -0.76% | 0.04% |
| 2049 | -0.73% | 0.07% |
| 2048 | -0.72% | 0.07% |
| 2047 | -0.7% | 0.06% |
| 2046 | -0.67% | 0.06% |
| 2045 | -0.7% | 0.07% |
| 2044 | -0.57% | 0.08% |
| 2043 | -0.64% | 0.11% |
| 2042 | -0.63% | 0.07% |
| 2041 | -0.49% | 0.12% |
| 2040 | -0.57% | 0.09% |
| 2039 | -0.46% | 0.1% |
| 2038 | -0.53% | 0.12% |
| 2037 | -0.41% | 0.13% |
| 2036 | -0.46% | 0.15% |
| 2035 | -0.44% | 0.18% |
| 2034 | -0.42% | 0.18% |
| 2033 | -0.35% | 0.2% |
| 2032 | -0.46% | 0.25% |
| 2031 | -0.39% | 0.27% |
| 2030 | -0.34% | 0.29% |
| 2029 | -0.4% | 0.34% |
| 2028 | -0.28% | 0.38% |
| 2027 | -0.3% | 0.42% |
| 2026 | -0.24% | 0.48% |
| 2025 | -0.18% | 0.96% |
| 2024 | -0.18% | 1.31% |
| 2023 | -0.18% | 1.27% |
| 2022 | -0.13% | 0.83% |
| 2021 | -0.05% | 0.77% |
| 2020 | -0.03% | 0.73% |
| 2019 | -0.09% | 0.72% |
| 2018 | 0.01% | 0.74% |
| 2017 | 0.08% | 0.94% |
| 2016 | 0.15% | 1.1% |
| 2015 | 0.31% | 1.14% |
| 2014 | 0.38% | 1.23% |
| 2013 | -0.66% | 1.16% |
| 2012 | -1.73% | 1.07% |
| 2011 | -1.73% | 1.12% |
| 2010 | -1.67% | 1.05% |
| 2009 | -1.58% | 1.26% |
| 2008 | -1.52% | 1.28% |
| 2007 | -1.49% | 0.9% |
| 2006 | -1.14% | 0.63% |
| 2005 | -0.005% | 0.64% |
| 2004 | 0.82% | 0.69% |
| 2003 | 0.8% | 0.74% |
| 2002 | 0.78% | 0.76% |
| 2001 | 0.91% | 0.63% |
| 2000 | 1.47% | 0.56% |
| 1999 | 2.04% | 0.48% |
| 1998 | 2.3% | 0.3% |
| 1997 | 2.57% | 0.24% |
| 1996 | 2.67% | 0.44% |
| 1995 | 2.53% | 0.67% |
| 1994 | 2.43% | 0.8% |
| 1993 | 2.4% | 0.91% |
| 1992 | 2.4% | 1.11% |
| 1991 | 2.33% | 1.26% |
| 1990 | 2.1% | 1.03% |
| 1989 | 2.05% | 0.81% |
| 1988 | 2.17% | 0.74% |
| 1987 | 2.21% | 0.63% |
| 1986 | 2.45% | 0.52% |
| 1985 | 2.63% | 0.44% |
| 1984 | 2.54% | 0.36% |
| 1983 | 2.46% | 0.43% |
| 1982 | 2.35% | 0.59% |
| 1981 | 1.07% | 0.55% |
| 1980 | -0.53% | 0.4% |
| 1979 | -0.83% | 0.2% |
| 1978 | -0.68% | 0.009% |
| 1977 | -0.58% | -0.34% |
| 1976 | -0.45% | -0.57% |
| 1975 | -0.25% | -0.04% |
| 1974 | 1.08% | 0.54% |
| 1973 | 2.94% | 0.74% |
| 1972 | 3.7% | 0.77% |
| 1971 | 3.44% | 0.53% |
| 1970 | 1.87% | 0.73% |
| 1969 | 0.71% | 1.13% |
| 1968 | 0.84% | 1.27% |
| 1967 | 1.69% | 1.25% |
| 1966 | 2.45% | 1.05% |
| 1965 | 2.48% | 1.16% |
| 1964 | 2.54% | 1.67% |
| 1963 | 2.49% | 2.16% |
| 1962 | 2.49% | 2.57% |
| 1961 | 2.43% | 2% |
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/palau/switzerland | CC BY
In 2025, the population of Palau declined by 0.18%, while Switzerland's population grew by 0.96%.
Live population counters
|
Palau
|
Switzerland
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Current population |
17620
|
9155878
|
| Population rank | 194/197 | 99/197 |
| Percent of world population | 0.0002% | 0.11% |
| One net population change |
1.63 weeks
|
6.07 minutes
|
| One birth every |
1.93 days
|
6.71 minutes
|
| One death every |
1.76 days
|
7.3 minutes
|
| Daily growth/decline | +0 | +238 |
| Annual growth/decline | -32 | +86,854 |
| Annual growth/decline rate | -0.18% | +0.96% |
| Population growth rate rank | 175/197 | 101/197 |
| One migration net change every |
3.27 weeks
|
14.1 minutes
|
| Annual migration change | -16 | +37,253 |
| Net migration rank | 78/196 | 25/196 |
| Foreign-born residents | 5,212 | 2,773,840 |
| Foreign-born residents rank | 184/195 | 27/195 |
| Foreign-born share of population | 29.5% | 31.1% |
| Foreign-born share rank | 19/195 | 17/195 |
Natural population change vs migration
| Year | Population change | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Palau
|
Switzerland
|
|||
| Natural | Migration | Natural | Migration | |
| 2025 | - | -16 | - | 37,253 |
| 2024 | -18 | -14 | 6,304 | 40,099 |
| 2023 | -10 | -19 | 8,000 | 45,098 |
| 2022 | -7 | -20 | 7,899 | 96,424 |
| 2021 | -3 | -21 | 18,279 | 50,665 |
| 2020 | 8 | 0 | 9,502 | 55,523 |
| 2019 | 23 | -46 | 18,008 | 44,517 |
| 2018 | 29 | -35 | 20,434 | 41,253 |
| 2017 | 43 | -33 | 20,284 | 45,658 |
| 2016 | 53 | -35 | 22,608 | 71,009 |
| 2015 | 55 | -11 | 19,050 | 71,876 |
| 2014 | 73 | -7 | 21,290 | 78,122 |
| 2013 | 88 | -28 | 17,797 | 83,823 |
| 2012 | 86 | -387 | 18,393 | 67,840 |
| 2011 | 83 | -405 | 18,990 | 67,194 |
| 2010 | 81 | -392 | 17,997 | 76,388 |
| 2009 | 81 | -382 | 15,487 | 69,324 |
| 2008 | 79 | -378 | 15,295 | 94,430 |
| 2007 | 80 | -372 | 13,592 | 72,475 |
| 2006 | 79 | -365 | 12,723 | 37,308 |
| 2005 | 80 | -250 | 11,899 | 33,203 |
| 2004 | 83 | 79 | 13,302 | 39,484 |
| 2003 | 86 | 71 | 8,807 | 42,567 |
| 2002 | 88 | 67 | 10,199 | 49,650 |
| 2001 | 88 | 65 | 10,845 | 35,420 |
| 2000 | 85 | 120 | 15,806 | 24,463 |
| 1999 | 100 | 243 | 16,431 | 25,599 |
| 1998 | 116 | 280 | 16,353 | 11,325 |
| 1997 | 140 | 297 | 17,722 | -1,939 |
| 1996 | 166 | 312 | 19,801 | -131 |
| 1995 | 186 | 258 | 19,010 | 25,343 |
| 1994 | 195 | 211 | 20,982 | 30,274 |
| 1993 | 196 | 193 | 21,509 | 40,267 |
| 1992 | 183 | 193 | 24,064 | 42,014 |
| 1991 | 175 | 193 | 23,800 | 69,738 |
| 1990 | 181 | 156 | 20,146 | 58,428 |
| 1989 | 185 | 113 | 19,941 | 34,432 |
| 1988 | 183 | 126 | 21,099 | 34,602 |
| 1987 | 182 | 125 | 15,708 | 27,081 |
| 1986 | 182 | 135 | 16,261 | 23,242 |
| 1985 | 181 | 179 | 14,882 | 14,402 |
| 1984 | 181 | 157 | 16,105 | 12,532 |
| 1983 | 176 | 144 | 12,837 | 5,663 |
| 1982 | 170 | 132 | 15,339 | 21,929 |
| 1981 | 161 | 120 | 13,979 | 24,229 |
| 1980 | 165 | -179 | 14,535 | 17,841 |
| 1979 | 176 | -291 | 14,477 | 4,262 |
| 1978 | 193 | -285 | 13,820 | -6,552 |
| 1977 | 213 | -292 | 16,959 | -22,516 |
| 1976 | 236 | -296 | 17,017 | -54,255 |
| 1975 | 249 | -296 | 22,820 | -58,187 |
| 1974 | 256 | -282 | 27,902 | 2,008 |
| 1973 | 268 | 22 | 30,906 | 8,158 |
| 1972 | 280 | 147 | 35,061 | 19,991 |
| 1971 | 287 | 156 | 38,523 | 2,636 |
| 1970 | 286 | 54 | 42,648 | -18,326 |
| 1969 | 283 | -209 | 44,182 | 20,754 |
| 1968 | 275 | -194 | 47,328 | 25,828 |
| 1967 | 266 | -150 | 52,128 | 27,697 |
| 1966 | 268 | -18 | 53,854 | 14,979 |
| 1965 | 275 | -16 | 56,222 | -1,351 |
| 1964 | 284 | -27 | 59,050 | 21,455 |
| 1963 | 291 | -41 | 52,956 | 58,415 |
| 1962 | 296 | -54 | 49,050 | 82,798 |
| 1961 | 298 | -65 | 48,365 | 101,278 |
| 1960 | 296 | -70 | 42,090 | 22,313 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/population/palau/switzerland | CC BY
Over the last 10 years, 42.5% of the population change in Palau is from natural causes (a gain of 173 people) and 57.5% is from migration (a loss of 234 people). In Switzerland 21.1% is from natural causes (a gain of 150,368 people) and 78.9% is from migration (a gain of 562,122 people).
As of 2024, 5,212 residents or 29.5% of the population were not native-born in Palau, compared to 2,773,840 people or 31.1% in Switzerland.
Biggest cities by population
|
Palau
|
|
|---|---|
| City | Population |
| Ngerulmud | 318 |
| Melekeok | 299 |
|
Switzerland
|
|
|---|---|
| City | Population |
| Zurich | 452K |
| Geneva | 209K |
| Basel | 176K |
| Bern | 146K |
| Lausanne | 145K |
| Winterthur | 120K |
| Lucerne | 86.2K |
| St. Gallen | 78.9K |
| Lugano | 63.5K |
| Biel/Bienne | 55.9K |
Compare countries by 7 more topics
Population differences between Palau and Switzerland
|
Palau
|
Switzerland
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy | 69.6 years | 84.4 years |
| Average age | 38.7 years | 43.4 years |
| Median age | 39.5 years | 43.9 years |
| Male:Female ratio | 53.8:46.2 | 49.7:50.3 |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 births per woman | 1.29 births per woman |
| Population density | 99.2 ppl/mi² | 599 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/palau/switzerland | 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)
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.