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).

Graph and download economic data for Population Growth for Pacific Island Small States (SPPOPGROWPSS) from 1961 to 2023 about Pacific Islands, population, and rate.

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, Total for Pacific Island Small States (SPPOPTOTLPSS) from 1960 to 2024 about Pacific Islands and population.

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

The paper projects aggregate populations of six Pacific Island countries both in the pre and post-COVID19 scenarios using Cohort Component Method for the period 2020-2060. It uses baseline indicators resembling China and Italy’s experiences and finds that Pacific countries could experience about 5% fatality which could reach up to 20%. It also finds that most countries would experience higher fatalities in the older age groups, consistent with what is being witnessed in other countries around the world. The analysis also shows that while the risk escalates for people over 50 years onward in all the countries, in Fiji, those in the age range of 70 years or more are at higher risk. The finding also indicates that for all countries, the fatality rate for 80 years and over is about 50%. The population projections show that Fiji will be most impacted, while others will experience around 2% initial population decline. The convergence to baseline is found to be slow (except for Tonga) in most Pacific countries. Consequently, the paper suggests a cautious approach in dealing with the crisis.

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

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 San Diego County, CA (B03002007E006073) from 2009 to 2023 about San Diego County, CA; San Diego; Pacific Islands; CA; non-hispanic; estimate; persons; 5-year; 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 working-age, ratio, Pacific Islands, 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

United States - Population, Total for Pacific Island Small States was 2689224.00000 Persons in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Population, Total for Pacific Island Small States reached a record high of 2689224.00000 in January of 2023 and a record low of 865064.00000 in January of 1960. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Population, Total for Pacific Island Small States - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

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

Access this dataset from the Pacific Data Hub

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

Access this dataset from the Pacific Data Hub

EN.POP.DNST. Population density is midyear population divided by land area in square kilometers. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship--except for refugees not permanently settled in the country of asylum, who are generally considered part of the population of their country of origin. Land area is a country's total area, excluding area under inland water bodies, national claims to continental shelf, and exclusive economic zones. In most cases the definition of inland water bodies includes major rivers and lakes. The World Bank’s ESG Data Draft dataset provides information on 17 key sustainability themes spanning environmental, social, and governance categories.

United States - Population Ages 0 to 14 for Pacific Island Small States was 33.61014 % of Total in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Population Ages 0 to 14 for Pacific Island Small States reached a record high of 47.10681 in January of 1962 and a record low of 33.61014 in January of 2023. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Population Ages 0 to 14 for Pacific Island Small States - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

United States - Population ages 65 and above for Pacific Island Small States was 5.09020 % of Total in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Population ages 65 and above for Pacific Island Small States reached a record high of 5.09020 in January of 2023 and a record low of 2.47020 in January of 1960. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Population ages 65 and above for Pacific Island Small States - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on June of 2025.