International Migrant Population Statistics in Palau (2026)

In 2024, 29.5% of the population in Palau were international migrants, according to World Bank World Development Indicators data. Up from 28.6% in 2020 to 29.5% in 2024 (+0.9 percentage points). Palau ranks #8 of 37 economies in East Asia & Pacific on this measure, and #32 of 216 globally.

Latest value (2024)
29.5% (2024)
International Migrant Population in Palau as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank World Development Indicators data.
Change since 2020
+0.9 pp (2024)
Up from 28.6% in 2020 to 29.5% in 2024 (+0.9 percentage points).
Earliest value in this dataset (1990)
18.4% (1990)
Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Up from 18.4% in 1990 to 29.5% in 2024.
Peak value (2000)
32.9% (2000)
Highest value in the available series; the 2024 value is 29.5%.
Rank in East Asia & Pacific
#8 of 37 (2024)
Palau ranks 8 of 37 countries in East Asia & Pacific with data, based on each country's latest value.
Global rank
#32 of 216 (2024)
Palau ranks 32 of 216 countries with data globally.
East Asia & Pacific average
14.1% (2024)
Palau (29.5%) is above the average of 14.1% across the 37 countries in East Asia & Pacific with data.
Personal remittances, received (current US$) (2023)
$2.2 million (2023)
Related indicator from World Bank World Development Indicators.
Internet use in Palau (2024)
83.9% (2024)
83.9% of the population in Palau used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
Population (2024)
17,695 (2024)
Palau had a population of 17,695 in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
International Migrant Population in Palau by year (% of population)
Year % of population Change
2024 29.5%+0.9 pp
2020 28.6%+0.8 pp
2015 27.8%−2.0 pp
2010 29.8%−0.7 pp
2005 30.5%−2.4 pp
2000 32.9%+5.3 pp
1995 27.6%+9.2 pp
1990 18.4%
International Migrant Population in Palau, 1990–2024Line chart of 8 observations from 1990 to 2024. Values range from 18.4% to 32.9%; the series starts at 18.4% in 1990 and ends at 29.5% in 2024.15%20%25%30%35%199020002010202418.4%29.5%
Fig. 1 — International Migrant Population in Palau, 1990–2024

Frequently asked questions

What share of people in Palau were international migrants?

29.5% of the population in Palau were international migrants in 2024, according to World Bank World Development Indicators data.

Where does the international migrant population data for Palau come from?

The data comes from the World Bank World Development Indicators (indicator SM.POP.TOTL.ZS). The latest observation for Palau is from 2024; the snapshot was retrieved on 2026-06-10.

How has international migrant population in Palau changed over time?

World Bank World Development Indicators data show a rise from 18.4% in 1990 to 29.5% in 2024.

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators, indicator SM.POP.TOTL.ZS, retrieved .

Figures are shown exactly as published in the source dataset; only the change column of the trend table is computed from adjacent published values.Read more on the methodology page. All figures are estimates and projections; this is not financial advice.

Last updated .