131
Room of Countries and Flags · UN member 131
What is Palau like?
日本語
In short
Palau is a country in Micronesia, Oceania. In 2025 it has about 17,700 people (UN estimate), the 191st most people of the 193 UN member states.
UN member since 1994Population: 191st
Palauパラオ- Region
- Micronesia, Oceania
- Population
- about 17,700 (191st)
- Area
- 459 km² (177th)
- UN member since
- December 15, 1994
Ranks are among the 193 UN member states, from most people and from largest area.
Palau in numbers
In 2025 the population is about 17,700, the 191st most people of the 193 UN member states. That is about 1/7,000 of Japan’s (about 123 million).
The area is 459 km², the 177th largest of the 193. That is about 1/820 of Japan’s area.
If we work out the number of people per square kilometer (population density), it is about 38.
Joining the United Nations
Palau joined the United Nations on December 15, 1994.
That was 38 years after Japan joined in 1956.
Think about it
- Q1Compare Palau’s population rank and area rank. What do you notice?
- Q2Find Palau on a map or globe. Which countries are around it?
- Q3Choose one thing you want to know more about Palau, and look it up.
There is no single right answer. Talking it over with someone at home is a good way to learn.
Did you know? — There are 5 UN member states in Micronesia. The one with the most people is Kiribati.