Nauru Population Pyramid (2026)
Nauru has a population of 12,102 in 2026, according to the UN World Population Prospects 2024 (projection for 1 July). That is the 193rd-largest population in the world and less than 0.01% of the global total of 8.30 billion. Children under 15 make up 36.5% of the population and people aged 65 and over 3.2%, with 103.5 males for every 100 females.
Nauru Demographics
Nauru has 12,102 people in 2026, up 80.4% from 6,710 in 1970.
Births outnumber deaths by 193 (UN projection for 2026).
65+ share 3.2% — the 27th-lowest of 194 countries.
Median age 20.2 — the 39th-lowest of 194 countries.
Largest generation: Gen Alpha — 29.1% (3,526)
All generations in Nauru →Population pyramid, 1950 to 2026
Watch how Nauru's population structure evolved from 1950 to 2026
Page Navigation(Quick jump to sections)
Sex Ratio & Gender Distribution
Nauru has 103.5 males per 100 females (sex ratio)
Men outnumber women by 206 (1.7% of the population).
Male Statistics
- Population:6,154
- Percentage:50.9%
Female Statistics
- Population:5,948
- Percentage:49.1%
- Ratio Format:1:0.967
Sex Ratio Analysis
The sex ratio of Nauru indicates more males than females.
Birth Statistics & Natality Data
Estimated births today
Simulated from the UN WPP 2024 projection of 286 births in 2026.
Current Birth Metrics (2026)
Temporal Distribution
Averages from the UN annual births, 2026 projection
Historical Birth Rate Trends, 1950 to 2026
Birth Statistics, 2021 to 2026
| Year | Births | Birth Rate (per 1,000) | TFR (children/woman) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 325 | 27.8 | 3.43 | estimate |
| 2022 | 314 | 26.6 | 3.38 | estimate |
| 2023 | 303 | 25.5 | 3.33 | estimate |
| 2024 | 293 | 24.6 | 3.29 | projection |
| 2025 | 289 | 24.0 | 3.25 | projection |
| 2026 | 286 | 23.6 | 3.21 | projection |
Historical Analysis
Global Context (2026)
Source: UN WPP 2024: births, birth rate and fertility for 2024 and later are medium-variant projections; 1950–2023 are estimates. The live counter is a uniform simulation of the 2026 projection (286 births), not a real-time feed.
Median Age Analysis
Nauru's median age is 20.2 years
Half the population is younger than 20.2 years, half is older — indicating a very young society
Complete Age Distribution & Youth Demographics
| Age Group | Population | % | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | 1,435 | 11.9% | Youth |
| 5-9 | 1,440 | 11.9% | Youth |
| 10-14 | 1,537 | 12.7% | Youth |
| 15-19 | 1,383 | 11.4% | Young Adult |
| 20-24 | 922 | 7.6% | Young Adult |
| 25-29 | 806 | 6.7% | Working Age |
| 30-34 | 834 | 6.9% | Working Age |
| 35-39 | 896 | 7.4% | Working Age |
| 40-44 | 823 | 6.8% | Working Age |
| 45-49 | 605 | 5.0% | Working Age |
| 50-54 | 413 | 3.4% | Working Age |
| 55-59 | 330 | 2.7% | Working Age |
| 60-64 | 294 | 2.4% | Working Age |
| 65-69 | 207 | 1.7% | Senior |
| 70-74 | 109 | 0.9% | Senior |
| 75-79 | 54 | 0.4% | Senior |
| 80-84 | 11 | 0.1% | Senior |
| 85-89 | 4 | 0.0% | Senior |
| 90-94 | 0 | 0.0% | Senior |
| 95-99 | 0 | 0.0% | Senior |
| 100+ | 0 | 0.0% | Senior |
Demographic Transition Model (DTM) Stage
Stage 3 (falling birth rate): 3.21 children per woman and 23.6 births per 1,000, with a low death rate (7.7). Read more about Stage 3 of the Demographic Transition Model.
Fertility Rate & Birth Statistics
Nauru Total Fertility Rate: 3.21 children per woman
Above the replacement level of 2.1
Fertility Rate Trends
Historical data (solid line) and future projections (dashed line)
Historical Fertility Trends
| Year | Total Fertility Rate | Birth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3.43 | 27.8 | |
| 2022 | 3.38 | 26.6 | ↓0.05 |
| 2023 | 3.33 | 25.5 | ↓0.05 |
| 2024 | 3.29 | 24.6 | ↓0.04 |
| 2025 | 3.25 | 24.0 | ↓0.04 |
| 2026 | 3.21 | 23.6 | ↓0.04 |
Global Context
- • World Average: 2.23 children per woman
- • Comparison: Above global average
- • UN projection for 2030: 3.05
Nauru's total fertility rate is 3.21 children per woman in 2026 (above replacement), above the replacement level of 2.1. Nauru ranks 47 of 194 for fertility rate (1 = highest), in the highest third of countries. The fertility rate has changed by −30.2% since 1950.
Historical Demographic Changes
Between 1950 and 2026, Nauru's population has increased by 255.1%.
The median age has increased from 18.7 in 1950 to 20.2 in 2026, indicating population aging.
Understanding Nauru's Demographics
Nauru has an expansive population pyramid — a broad base of children that narrows steadily toward older ages.
Children under 15 make up 36.5% of the population and people aged 65 and over 3.2%.
The largest five-year age band is 10–14, at 12.7% of the population, compared with 11.9% in the 0–4 band.
Demographic Analysis: Nauru's Population Structure
Demographic Dividend Window
Nauru's working-age share peaked in 1978 at 67.1% and is 60.4% in 2026.
Fertility Transition Stage
Nauru is in a period of above replacement, with a total fertility rate of 3.21 children per woman (2026, UN WPP 2024).
Population Aging Speed
Nauru's median age changed by −0.3 years from 2016 to 2026, slower than the world average (+2.6 years).
Key Demographics
| Total Population | 12,102 |
| Male Population | 6,154(50.9%) |
| Female Population | 5,948(49.1%) |
| Median Age | 20.2 years |
| Sex Ratio | 103.5 males per 100 females |
| Youth (0-14) | 4,412(36.5%) |
| Working Age (15-64) | 7,305(60.4%) |
| Elderly (65+) | 385(3.2%) |
| Total Dependency Ratio | 65.7 |
| Youth Dependency Ratio | 60.4 |
| Old Age Dependency Ratio | 5.3 |
| Pyramid Type | Expansive |
Dependency Ratios: Number of dependents per 100 working-age individuals.
Demographic Data Visualizations
Total population, 1950–2026 (UN WPP 2024; 2024 onward are projections).
Median age, 1950–2026 (UN WPP 2024; 2024 onward are projections).
Youth, working-age and elderly shares, 1950 vs 2026 (UN WPP 2024).
Age distribution in 2026: youth, working-age and elderly shares (UN WPP 2024; projection).
Life Expectancy in Nauru
How long the average person in Nauru is expected to live · sourced from UN WPP 2024
Historical Trend, 1950 → 2026 (plus UN projection to 2100)
Solid: actual · Dashed: medium-variant projectionFuture Demographic Trends
Nauru is projected to grow to 15,758 people by 2050 (+30.2% from 2026).
The median age rises from 20.2 in 2026 to 25.7 by 2050.
Nauru's Demographic Evolution by Decade
The population increased by 14.0%, growing from 0.0 million in 1970 to 0.0 million by 1980
The median age increased by 5.8 years, indicating population aging during this period
The youth population share contracted by 12.0 percentage points
Meanwhile, the elderly population proportion grew by 2.4 percentage points.
Key Demographic Highlights
- • Population changed from 6,710 to 7,648
- • Growth rate of 14% over the decade
- • Median age shifted from 17.3 to 23.1 years (+5.8y)
- • 65+ share changed by +2.4 points; under-15 share by −12.0 points
Frequently Asked Questions About Nauru
How does Nauru rank globally by population?
Nauru ranks 193rd in the world by population with 12,102 people as of 2026.
What does Nauru's age structure reveal about its development?
Nauru's age structure — 36.5% under 15, 60.4% working-age (15–64) and 3.2% aged 65+ — is that of a country in Stage 3 of the demographic transition, with an expansive population pyramid. The median age is 20.2 years.
What is the dependency ratio in Nauru?
Nauru has 65.7 people under 15 or aged 65+ per 100 people aged 15–64 in 2026.
Is Nauru experiencing a demographic dividend?
Nauru has moved past its demographic-dividend window. Nauru's working-age share peaked in 1978 at 67.1% and is 60.4% in 2026. The demographic dividend occurs when falling fertility creates a bulge in the working-age population while dependency ratios stay manageable.
What are the gender dynamics in Nauru's population?
Nauru has more males than females, with 103.4 males per 100 females.
Compare with Other Countries
Data Sources & Methodology
All population data is sourced from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. The data represents UN medium-variant projections.
Cite this page: Population Pyramids. (2026). Nauru Population Pyramid and Demographic Analysis. Retrieved from https://www.populationpyramids.org/nauru
View UN World Population Prospects Data →