If the number of registered voters reflects the number of Palauans who are 18 or above, how many Palauans are below 18? How many Palauans are 18 or above but have not registered to vote? How many Palauans are there?
No one seems to know the exact number of Palauans living today. Statistical data obtained from the various agencies in Palau just do not add up – particularly in regards to the number of registered voters.The number of people who lived in Palau in 2005 – based on a 2005 Census from the Office of Planning and Statistics (OPS) – was 19,907.The Ministry of Health (MOH) has made a 2008 mid-year population projection of 21, 388.The Labor Office records indicate that there are 6,130 foreign nationals currently working in Palau. These foreign nationals – excluding their dependents – all work in the private sector and are documented to have working permits. Officials from the labor office said that there are other foreign workers employed in Palau through the National Government who are not included in 6,130 count.The number of Palauans living abroad is not known – no data is available except for voters.OPS 2005 population count (19,907) and MOH 2008 mid-year population estimates (21,388) do not show how many of the population are Palauans.If the 2008 MOH projection is accurate and the number of foreign workers permitted to work in Palau – based on Labor Office records – is also accurate, there are roughly 15, 258 Palauans living in Palau today.
