In 2024, Papua New Guinea had the largest population of the Pacific Island nations, with around *** million people. The second-highest population in the region was Fiji, with just over *** thousand people.

A recently published paper, titled “Coastal proximity of populations in 22 Pacific Island Countries and Territories” details the methodology used to undertake the analysis and presents the findings. Purpose * This analysis aims to estimate populations settled in coastal areas in 22 Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTS) using the data currently available. In addition to the coastal population estimates, the study compares the results obtained from the use of national population datasets (census) with those derived from the use of global population grids. * Accuracy and reliability from national and global datasets derived results have been evaluated to identify the most suitable options to estimate size and location of coastal populations in the region. A collaborative project between the Pacific Community (SPC), WorldFish and the University of Wollongong has produced the first detailed population estimates of people living close to the coast in the 22 Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs).

Record captures Pacific Island Population based on the last population census as well as projectiond/estimates. Estimates and projections of demographic indicators are for selected years. This spreadsheet was last updated in September 2013. Data captured are:

• year of the last population census
• population count at last census
• total land area (km2)
• estimated number of people, number of females & males, number of people in different age groups (0-14, 14 - 24, 25 - 59 & 60+).
• Age dependency ratio, population density, crude birth rate %, number of births, number of deaths, net migrants, annual growth rate.
• Urban population at last census, average household size
• Total fertility rate, teenage fertility rate, infant mortality rate, life expectancy at birth based on different reference years.

Note: all estimates refer to de facto population, except the Cook Islands where estimates refer to resident population only.

a) refers to Census night defacto Population Count (excl. temporarily absent usual Tokelau residents)

p) refers to provisional results.

Data Source: SPC PRISM http://www.spc.int/prism/regional-data-and-tools/demographic-statistics

Graph and download economic data for Population Growth for Pacific Island Small States (SPPOPGROWPSS) from 1961 to 2024 about Pacific Islands, population, and rate.

Graph and download economic data for Population ages 65 and above for Pacific Island Small States (SPPOP65UPTOZSPSS) from 1960 to 2024 about Pacific Islands, 65-years +, and population.

Spatial datasets utilized to conduct the spatial analysis and additional information from the research article: Coastal proximity of populations in 22 Pacific Island Countries and Territories. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0223249 https://sdd.spc.int/mapping-coastal

This is a subset of Population projections

Population projections for Pacific Island Countries and territories from 1950 to 2050, by sex and by 5-years age groups.

Spatial datasets utilized to conduct the spatial analysis and additional information from the research article: Coastal proximity of populations in 22 Pacific Island Countries and Territories.

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0223249 https://sdd.spc.int/mapping-coastal

Graph and download economic data for Refugee Population by Country or Territory of Asylum for Pacific Island Small States (SMPOPREFGPSS) from 1995 to 2023 about refugee, Pacific Islands, small, World, and population.

Spatial datasets utilized to conduct the spatial analysis and additional information from the research article: Coastal proximity of populations in 22 Pacific Island Countries and Territories.

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0223249 https://sdd.spc.int/mapping-coastal

Graph and download economic data for Population Estimate, Total, Not Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Alone (5-year estimate) in Nevada County, AR (B03002007E005099) from 2009 to 2023 about Nevada County, AR; Pacific Islands; non-hispanic; AR; estimate; 5-year; persons; population; and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Age Dependency Ratio: Older Dependents to Working-Age Population for Pacific Island Small States (SPPOPDPNDOLPSS) from 1960 to 2024 about Pacific Islands, working-age, ratio, and population.

Graph and download economic data for Population Estimate, Total, Not Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Alone (5-year estimate) in San Diego County, CA (B03002007E006073) from 2009 to 2023 about San Diego County, CA; Pacific Islands; San Diego; non-hispanic; estimate; CA; 5-year; persons; population; and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Population Estimate, Total, Not Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Alone (5-year estimate) in Washington County, UT (B03002007E049053) from 2009 to 2023 about Washington County, UT; St. George; Pacific Islands; non-hispanic; UT; estimate; 5-year; persons; population; and USA.

Spatial datasets utilized to conduct the spatial analysis and additional information from the research article: Coastal proximity of populations in 22 Pacific Island Countries and Territories. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0223249 https://sdd.spc.int/mapping-coastal

Graph and download economic data for Population Estimate, Total, Not Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Alone (5-year estimate) in Philadelphia County, PA (B03002007E042101) from 2009 to 2023 about Pacific Islands, Philadelphia, latino, non-hispanic, estimate, PA, 5-year, persons, population, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Population Estimate, Total, Not Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Alone (5-year estimate) in San Francisco County, CA (B03002007E006075) from 2009 to 2023 about Pacific Islands, San Francisco, non-hispanic, estimate, 5-year, persons, CA, population, and USA.

Spatial datasets utilized to conduct the spatial analysis and additional information from the research article: Coastal proximity of populations in 22 Pacific Island Countries and Territories. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0223249 https://sdd.spc.int/mapping-coastal

Graph and download economic data for Population Estimate, Total, Not Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Alone (5-year estimate) in New York County, NY (B03002007E036061) from 2009 to 2023 about Pacific Islands; New York County, NY; non-hispanic; New York; estimate; NY; 5-year; persons; population; and USA.

Spatial datasets utilized to conduct the spatial analysis and additional information from the research article: Coastal proximity of populations in 22 Pacific Island Countries and Territories. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0223249 https://sdd.spc.int/mapping-coastal