Urban Population: Palau
Palau's urban population is currently 79.2% as of 2024. # Palau Urban Population Palau's urban population stands at 79.
Current (2024)
79.2%
+0.1% y/y
Peak (2012)
81.1%
Low (1960)
43.9%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Palau
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Palau
Analysis# Palau Urban Population
Palau's urban population stands at 79.21% in 2024, representing a dramatic shift from just 43.895% in 1960—a gain of 80.5 percentage points over six decades. The nation peaked at 81.129% urbanization in 2012, exceeding current levels by nearly two percentage points. This extraordinary transformation reflects Palau's rapid development from a largely rural society to one of the world's most urbanized Pacific island nations.
Since 2012, urbanization has entered a gradual decline, falling 1.92 percentage points over the past 12 years. The downward trend accelerated between 2015 and 2019, dropping 1.108 points, before stabilizing around 79% from 2020 onward. Recent data suggests Palau's urban population may have reached equilibrium, with 2024 showing minimal movement from 2023's 79.153%.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 79.2% | +0.07% |
| 2023 | 79.2% | +0.05% |
| 2022 | 79.1% | +0.03% |
| 2021 | 79.1% | +0.01% |
| 2020 | 79.1% | -0.25% |
| 2019 | 79.3% | -0.34% |
| 2018 | 79.6% | -0.35% |
| 2017 | 79.8% | -0.35% |
| 2016 | 80.1% | -0.35% |
| 2015 | 80.4% | -0.43% |
| 2014 | 80.7% | -0.42% |
| 2013 | 81.1% | -0.07% |
| 2012 | 81.1% | +0.19% |
| 2011 | 81.0% | +0.39% |
| 2010 | 80.7% | +0.55% |
| 2009 | 80.2% | +0.70% |
| 2008 | 79.7% | +0.81% |
| 2007 | 79.0% | +0.91% |
| 2006 | 78.3% | +0.94% |
| 2005 | 77.6% | +1.48% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 76.4% | +2.55% |
| 2003 | 74.5% | +2.99% |
| 2002 | 72.4% | +2.62% |
| 2001 | 70.5% | +1.36% |
| 2000 | 69.6% | -0.15% |
| 1999 | 69.7% | -0.68% |
| 1998 | 70.2% | -0.84% |
| 1997 | 70.8% | -0.68% |
| 1996 | 71.2% | -0.20% |
| 1995 | 71.4% | +0.23% |
| 1994 | 71.2% | +0.49% |
| 1993 | 70.9% | +0.64% |
| 1992 | 70.4% | +0.68% |
| 1991 | 70.0% | +0.61% |
| 1990 | 69.5% | +0.46% |
| 1989 | 69.2% | +0.39% |
| 1988 | 68.9% | +0.40% |
| 1987 | 68.7% | +0.51% |
| 1986 | 68.3% | +0.79% |
| 1985 | 67.8% | +1.47% |
| 1984 | 66.8% | +1.92% |
| 1983 | 65.5% | +2.02% |
| 1982 | 64.2% | +1.73% |
| 1981 | 63.2% | +1.06% |
| 1980 | 62.5% | +0.61% |
| 1979 | 62.1% | +0.47% |
| 1978 | 61.8% | +0.38% |
| 1977 | 61.6% | +0.36% |
| 1976 | 61.4% | +0.40% |
| 1975 | 61.1% | +0.51% |
| 1974 | 60.8% | +0.70% |
| 1973 | 60.4% | +0.93% |
| 1972 | 59.8% | +1.17% |
| 1971 | 59.2% | +1.41% |
| 1970 | 58.3% | +1.65% |
| 1969 | 57.4% | +1.90% |
| 1968 | 56.3% | +2.16% |
| 1967 | 55.1% | +2.42% |
| 1966 | 53.8% | +2.69% |
| 1965 | 52.4% | +2.97% |
| 1964 | 50.9% | +3.27% |
| 1963 | 49.3% | +3.59% |
| 1962 | 47.6% | +3.93% |
| 1961 | 45.8% | +4.29% |
| 1960 | 43.9% | — |
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