MigrantoImmigrants in Palau
5.1K foreign-born residents — the #207 largest immigrant population in the world
Where immigrants come from
The top 3 countries account for 79% of all immigrants
| Country | Immigrants |
|---|---|
| Philippines | 3095 |
| China | 498 |
| Micronesia | 421 |
| USA | 341 |
| Northern Mariana Islands | 253 |
| Guam | 247 |
| Japan | 145 |
| South Korea | 70 |
By region of origin
Asia is the leading region of origin at 75%
3.8K
921
341
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Interesting facts
Notable statistics about immigration in Palau.
Immigration is a key driver of population growth
97% of the population growth of Palau since 1990 came from new immigrants, reflecting immigration's central demographic role.
Philippines is the leading source of immigration by a wide margin
Philippines accounts for 61% of all immigrants, far ahead of the second-largest source at just 10%.
A significant share of residents were born abroad
1 in 3 residents of Palau is foreign-born — 5.1K out of 17.7K, representing 28.7% of the population.
How immigration changed over time
Total immigrant population by year
| Year | Immigrants |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 2695 |
| 1995 | 4568 |
| 2000 | 5714 |
| 2005 | 5368 |
| 2010 | 5341 |
| 2015 | 4800 |
| 2020 | 4949 |
| 2024 | 5070 |
Top sources over time
Immigration from the 5 largest source countries
| Year | Philippines | China | Micronesia | USA | Northern Mariana Islands |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 1569 | 320 | 166 | 315 | 93 |
| 1995 | 2654 | 543 | 282 | 535 | 159 |
| 2000 | 2892 | 1079 | 326 | 516 | 214 |
| 2005 | 3179 | 550 | 465 | 377 | 280 |
| 2010 | 3247 | 526 | 445 | 361 | 268 |
| 2015 | 2919 | 473 | 400 | 324 | 241 |
| 2020 | 3021 | 486 | 411 | 333 | 247 |
| 2024 | 3095 | 498 | 421 | 341 | 253 |
Fastest-changing origins
How immigration from each country has changed since the selected year
Palau as a destination, by diaspora
Share of each country's emigrants who settled in Palau
Data source: International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division)
Frequently asked questions
How many immigrants live in Palau?
Around 5.1K foreign-born residents live in Palau, making it the #207-largest immigrant population in the world.
Where do most immigrants in Palau come from?
Most immigrants in Palau come from Philippines, China and Micronesia — these three countries account for about 79% of all foreign-born residents.
What share of the population of Palau are immigrants?
Immigrants make up around 29% of the population of Palau — that's 5.1K out of a total population of 17.7K.
How has immigration to Palau changed over the past decade?
Over the past decade, the immigrant population in Palau has grown from 4.8K to 5.1K people, a growth of about 6%.
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