Palau Population Pyramid (2026)
Palau has a population of 17,615 in 2026, according to the UN World Population Prospects 2024 (projection for 1 July). That is the 192nd-largest population in the world and less than 0.01% of the global total of 8.30 billion. Children under 15 make up 17.6% of the population and people aged 65 and over 12.4%, with 116.2 males for every 100 females.
Palau Demographics
Palau has 17,615 people in 2026, up 54.9% from 11,369 in 1970.
Deaths outnumber births by 31 (UN projection for 2026).
Median age 38.9 — the 50th-highest of 194 countries.
Under-15 share 17.6% — the 62nd-lowest of 194 countries.
Largest generation: Gen X — 24.6% (4,327)
All generations in Palau →Population pyramid, 1950 to 2026
Watch how Palau's population structure evolved from 1950 to 2026
Page Navigation(Quick jump to sections)
Sex Ratio & Gender Distribution
Palau has 116.2 males per 100 females (sex ratio)
Men outnumber women by 1,317 (7.5% of the population).
Male Statistics
- Population:9,466
- Percentage:53.7%
Female Statistics
- Population:8,149
- Percentage:46.3%
- Ratio Format:1:0.861
Sex Ratio Analysis
The sex ratio of Palau indicates more males than females.
Birth Statistics & Natality Data
Estimated births today
Simulated from the UN WPP 2024 projection of 184 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 | 202 | 11.4 | 1.95 | estimate |
| 2022 | 197 | 11.1 | 1.93 | estimate |
| 2023 | 193 | 10.9 | 1.91 | estimate |
| 2024 | 189 | 10.7 | 1.88 | projection |
| 2025 | 186 | 10.6 | 1.86 | projection |
| 2026 | 184 | 10.5 | 1.84 | 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 (184 births), not a real-time feed.
Median Age Analysis
Palau's median age is 38.9 years
Half the population is younger than 38.9 years, half is older — indicating a middle-aged society
Complete Age Distribution & Youth Demographics
| Age Group | Population | % | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | 937 | 5.3% | Youth |
| 5-9 | 1,010 | 5.7% | Youth |
| 10-14 | 1,156 | 6.6% | Youth |
| 15-19 | 1,205 | 6.8% | Young Adult |
| 20-24 | 1,078 | 6.1% | Young Adult |
| 25-29 | 882 | 5.0% | Working Age |
| 30-34 | 1,233 | 7.0% | Working Age |
| 35-39 | 1,340 | 7.6% | Working Age |
| 40-44 | 1,339 | 7.6% | Working Age |
| 45-49 | 1,380 | 7.8% | Working Age |
| 50-54 | 1,397 | 7.9% | Working Age |
| 55-59 | 1,308 | 7.4% | Working Age |
| 60-64 | 1,175 | 6.7% | Working Age |
| 65-69 | 930 | 5.3% | Senior |
| 70-74 | 648 | 3.7% | Senior |
| 75-79 | 346 | 2.0% | Senior |
| 80-84 | 164 | 0.9% | Senior |
| 85-89 | 66 | 0.4% | Senior |
| 90-94 | 20 | 0.1% | Senior |
| 95-99 | 2 | 0.0% | Senior |
| 100+ | 0 | 0.0% | Senior |
Demographic Transition Model (DTM) Stage
Stage 5 (natural decrease): deaths outnumber births — 10.5 births and 12.2 deaths per 1,000 people in 2026. Read more about Stage 5 of the Demographic Transition Model.
Fertility Rate & Birth Statistics
Palau Total Fertility Rate: 1.84 children per woman
Below 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 | 1.95 | 11.4 | |
| 2022 | 1.93 | 11.1 | ↓0.02 |
| 2023 | 1.91 | 10.9 | ↓0.02 |
| 2024 | 1.88 | 10.7 | ↓0.03 |
| 2025 | 1.86 | 10.6 | ↓0.02 |
| 2026 | 1.84 | 10.5 | ↓0.02 |
Global Context
- • World Average: 2.23 children per woman
- • Comparison: Below global average
- • UN projection for 2030: 1.79
Palau's total fertility rate is 1.84 children per woman in 2026 (below replacement), below the replacement level of 2.1. Palau ranks 106 of 194 for fertility rate (1 = highest), in the middle third of countries. The fertility rate has changed by −74.3% since 1950.
Historical Demographic Changes
Between 1950 and 2026, Palau's population has increased by 135.7%.
The median age has increased from 17.6 in 1950 to 38.9 in 2026, indicating population aging.
Understanding Palau's Demographics
Palau has a constrictive population pyramid — a base narrower than the middle, so younger cohorts are smaller than the ones above them.
Children under 15 make up 17.6% of the population and people aged 65 and over 12.4%.
The largest five-year age band is 50–54, at 7.9% of the population, compared with 5.3% in the 0–4 band.
Demographic Analysis: Palau's Population Structure
Demographic Dividend Window
Palau's working-age share peaked in 2012 at 73.1% and is 70.0% in 2026.
Fertility Transition Stage
Palau is in a period of below replacement, with a total fertility rate of 1.84 children per woman (2026, UN WPP 2024).
Population Aging Speed
Palau's median age changed by +3.6 years from 2016 to 2026, faster than the world average (+2.6 years).
Key Demographics
| Total Population | 17,615 |
| Male Population | 9,466(53.7%) |
| Female Population | 8,149(46.3%) |
| Median Age | 38.9 years |
| Sex Ratio | 116.2 males per 100 females |
| Youth (0-14) | 3,103(17.6%) |
| Working Age (15-64) | 12,336(70.0%) |
| Elderly (65+) | 2,176(12.4%) |
| Total Dependency Ratio | 42.8 |
| Youth Dependency Ratio | 25.2 |
| Old Age Dependency Ratio | 17.6 |
| Pyramid Type | Constrictive |
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 Palau
How long the average person in Palau 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
Palau is projected to shrink to 15,519 people by 2050 (−11.9% from 2026).
The median age rises from 38.9 in 2026 to 41.2 by 2050.
Palau's Demographic Evolution by Decade
The population increased by 7.9%, growing from 0.0 million in 1970 to 0.0 million by 1980
The median age increased by 2.4 years, indicating population aging during this period
The youth population share contracted by 6.4 percentage points
Meanwhile, the elderly population proportion grew by 0.9 percentage points.
Key Demographic Highlights
- • Population changed from 11K to 12K
- • Growth rate of 7.9% over the decade
- • Median age shifted from 15.3 to 17.7 years (+2.4y)
- • 65+ share changed by +0.9 points; under-15 share by −6.4 points
Frequently Asked Questions About Palau
How does Palau rank globally by population?
Palau ranks 192nd in the world by population with 17,615 people as of 2026.
What does Palau's age structure reveal about its development?
Palau's age structure — 17.6% under 15, 70.0% working-age (15–64) and 12.4% aged 65+ — is that of a country in Stage 5 of the demographic transition, with a constrictive population pyramid. The median age is 38.9 years.
What is the dependency ratio in Palau?
Palau has 42.8 people under 15 or aged 65+ per 100 people aged 15–64 in 2026.
Is Palau experiencing a demographic dividend?
Palau has moved past its demographic-dividend window. Palau's working-age share peaked in 2012 at 73.1% and is 70.0% 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 Palau's population?
Palau has more males than females, with 116.2 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). Palau Population Pyramid and Demographic Analysis. Retrieved from https://www.populationpyramids.org/palau
View UN World Population Prospects Data →