Population growth in Palau
Palau: Population growth was -0.2% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Population growth in Palau, 1961–2025
Source: World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), note: Derived from total population, publisher: UN Population Division. Measured in annual %.
Analysis
Palau recorded -0.2% for population growth in 2025.
That represents a change of down 0.2% on the previous year and down 158.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population growth in Palau peaked at 3.6% in 1972 and was at its lowest, -1.7%, in 2012.
That places Palau 188th out of 215 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 2.0% | 0.7% | 2.5% | 9 |
| 1970s | 1.0% | -0.8% | 3.6% | 10 |
| 1980s | 1.9% | -0.5% | 2.6% | 10 |
| 1990s | 2.3% | 2.0% | 2.6% | 10 |
| 2000s | -0.1% | -1.6% | 1.5% | 10 |
| 2010s | -0.5% | -1.7% | 0.4% | 10 |
| 2020s | -0.1% | -0.2% | -0.0% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Palau
More climate change data for Palau
- Population, total 17,663 (2025)
- Urban population growth -0.1% (2025)
- Urban population 14,004 (2025)
- Urban population 79.3% (2025)
- Terrestrial protected areas 31.4% (2025)
- Terrestrial and marine protected areas 98.0% (2025)
- Marine protected areas 98.0% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population growth in Palau?
- Population growth in Palau was -0.2% in 2025, according to World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), note: Derived from total population, publisher: UN Population Division.
- What is the highest population growth recorded in Palau?
- The highest recorded value was 3.6% in 1972.
- What is the lowest population growth recorded in Palau?
- The lowest recorded value was -1.7% in 2012.
- How does Palau rank for population growth?
- Palau ranks 188th out of 215 countries with data for 2025.
- Is population growth rising or falling in Palau?
- Over the last ten years it is down 158.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Palau data come from?
- The figures come from World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), note: Derived from total population, publisher: UN Population Division, published as part of Population growth (annual %). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Annual population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.