Ngerulmud is the least populous national capital city in the world by population. Located in the state of Melekeok on Palau’s largest island, Babeldaob, it consists mainly of government buildings rather than a conventional urban settlement.
Ngerulmud became Palau’s official capital in 2006, replacing Koror. The move followed Palau’s constitutional plan to establish a permanent capital on Babeldaob, which was intended to encourage development away from the crowded former capital.
Ngerulmud has no separately recorded permanent population because it has no clearly defined residential boundaries. The surrounding state of Melekeok had only 318 residents in Palau’s 2020 census, making the capital effectively smaller than capitals such as Funafuti, Majuro, and Vatican City.
A common mix-up is to identify Vatican City, the world’s smallest country, as the least-populous capital. Vatican City has residents and a defined municipal territory, while Ngerulmud is a purpose-built administrative capital with virtually no permanent settlement.