MigrantoImmigrants in Palau
5.1K foreigners live in Palau — 29% of the country's population
Immigrants in Palau by country
The 3 largest groups make up 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
75% of immigrants come from Asia
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Key facts
Immigrants in Palau in numbers
Immigration drives population growth
97% of the population growth of Palau since 1990 came from immigrants.
Filipinos are the largest group by a wide margin
61% of all immigrants were born in the Philippines, while the next group accounts for just 10%.
1 in 3 residents of Palau was born abroad
5.1K of 17.7K residents were born abroad — 28.7% of the population.
Immigrant population in Palau over time
Foreigners living in Palau, by year
| Year | Immigrants |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 2695 |
| 1995 | 4568 |
| 2000 | 5714 |
| 2005 | 5368 |
| 2010 | 5341 |
| 2015 | 4800 |
| 2020 | 4949 |
| 2024 | 5070 |
Largest groups over time
The 5 largest groups in Palau, by year
| Year | Filipinos | Chinese | Micronesians | Americans | 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 groups
How each group's numbers have changed since the selected year
Share of each diaspora living in Palau
Of each group's emigrants worldwide, the share who live in Palau
Data source: International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division)
Frequently asked questions
How many foreigners live in Palau?
Around 5.1K immigrants live in Palau — the world's #207 largest immigrant population.
What percentage 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.
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 immigrants.
How many Filipinos live in Palau?
Around 3.1K Filipinos live in Palau — about 61% of all immigrants, the largest group.
Is the immigrant population in Palau growing?
Yes — over the past decade, the number of immigrants in Palau has grown from 4.8K to 5.1K, about 6%.
Where does the data on immigrants in Palau come from?
The source is International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division). It counts people born abroad who now live in Palau. Their children born in Palau are not included.
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Living in Palau
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