Palau
Republic of Palau
Population
21.9K
Area
459 km²
GDP
$281.85M
GDP Per Capita
$15,800
Pop. Density
48/km²
Quick Facts
Currency
$United States dollar(USD)
Calling Code
+680
Timezone
UTC+09:00
Languages
English, Palauan
Driving Side
right
Demonym
Palauan
Background
Japan seized Palau in 1914, was granted a League of Nations mandate to administer the islands in 1920, and made Koror the capital of its South Seas Mandate in 1922. By the outbreak of World War II, there were four times as many Japanese living in Koror as Palauans. In 1944, the US invasion of the island of Peleliu was one of the bloodiest island fights of the Pacific War. After the war, Palau became part of the US-administered Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.
Palau voted against joining the Federated States of Micronesia in 1978 and adopted its own constitution in 1981, which stated that Palau was a nuclear-free country. In 1982, Palau signed a Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the US, which granted Palau financial assistance and access to many US domestic programs in exchange for exclusive US military access and defense responsibilities. However, many Palauans saw the COFA as incompatible with the Palauan Constitution because of the US military’s nuclear arsenal, and seven referenda failed to achieve ratification. Following a constitutional amendment and eighth referendum in 1993, the COFA was ratified and entered into force in 1994 when the islands gained their independence. Its funding was renewed in 2010.
Palau has been on the frontlines of combatting climate change and protecting marine resources. In 2011, Palau banned commercial shark fishing and created the world’s first shark sanctuary. In 2017, Palau began stamping the Palau Pledge into passports, reminding visitors to act in ecologically and culturally responsible ways. In 2020, Palau banned coral reef-toxic sunscreens and expanded its fishing prohibition to include 80% of its exclusive economic zone.
Historical Trends
GDP (USD)
↑42.9% since 2006Population
↓9.7% since 2006Life Expectancy at Birth
Latest: 69.3 yearsData source: World Bank Open Data
Geography17
Location
Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines
Geographic coordinates
7 30 N, 134 30 E
Map references
Oceania
Area
land: 459 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, D.C.
Land boundaries
Coastline
1,519 km
Maritime claims
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate
tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November
Terrain
varying topography from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs
Elevation
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Natural resources
forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals
Land use
agricultural land
agricultural land: arable land
agricultural land: permanent crops
agricultural land: permanent pasture
forest
other
Irrigated land
0 sq km (2022)
Population distribution
most of the population is located on the southern end of the main island of Babelthuap
Natural hazards
typhoons (June to December)
Geography - note
westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of six island groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes world-famous Rock Islands
People & Society31
Population
male: 11,257
female: 10,690
Nationality
adjective: Palauan
Ethnic groups
Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 70.6%, Carolinian 1.2%, Asian 26.5%, other 1.7% (2020 est.)
Languages
Palauan (official on most islands) 65.2%, other Micronesian 1.9%, English (official) 19.1%, Filipino 9.9%, Chinese 1.2%, other 2.8% (2015 est.)
Religions
Roman Catholic 46.9%, Protestant 30.9% (Evangelical 24.6%, Seventh Day Adventist 5%, other Protestant 1.4%), Modekngei 5.1% (indigenous to Palau), Muslim 4.9%, other 12.3% (2020 est.)
Age structure
15-64 years: 71.3% (male 8,647/female 6,935)
65 years and over: 11.2% (2024 est.) (male 612/female 1,845)
Dependency ratios
youth dependency ratio: 24.9 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 16.7 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio: 6 (2025 est.)
Median age
male: 34.1 years
female: 37.4 years
Population growth rate
0.38% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
11.53 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
8.52 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
0.77 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
most of the population is located on the southern end of the main island of Babelthuap
Urbanization
rate of urbanization: 1.59% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
277 NGERULMUD (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio
0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.25 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.33 male(s)/female
total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
89 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male: 12.7 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.8 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth
male: 72 years
female: 78.5 years
Total fertility rate
1.7 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.83 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: urban
improved: rural
improved: total
unimproved: urban
unimproved: rural
unimproved: total
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 9.5% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
1.81 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban
improved: rural
improved: total
unimproved: urban
unimproved: rural
unimproved: total
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
55.3% (2016)
Tobacco use
male: 25.2% (2025 est.)
female: 6.8% (2025 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
48.3% (2020 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% national budget): 9.8% national budget (2023 est.)
Literacy
male: 100% (2020 est.)
female: 100% (2020 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male: 14 years (2023 est.)
female: 16 years (2023 est.)
Government25
Country name
conventional long form
conventional short form
local long form
local short form
former
etymology
Government type
presidential republic in free association with the US
Capital
geographic coordinates: 7 30 N, 134 37 E
time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: the name comes from a Palauan term meaning "place of fermented angelfish;" the site of the capital was the traditional location for women to gather and offer fermented angelfish to the gods
Administrative divisions
16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatohobei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol
Legal system
mixed system of civil, common, and customary law
Constitution
amendment process: proposed by a constitutional convention (held at least once every 15 years with voter approval), by public petition of at least 25% of eligible voters, or by a resolution adopted by at least three fourths of National Congress members; passage requires approval by a majority of votes in at least three fourths of the states in the next regular general election
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Palau
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: note - no procedure for naturalization
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state
head of government
cabinet
election/appointment process
most recent election date
election results
2024: Surangel WHIPPS, Jr. elected president in second round; percent of vote - Surangel WHIPPS, Jr. (independent) 57.7%, Tommy REMENGESAU (independent) 42.1%, other 0.2%
2020: Surangel WHIPPS, Jr. elected president in second round; percent of vote - Surangel WHIPPS, Jr. (independent) 56.7%, Raynold OILUCH (independent) 43.3%
expected date of next election
Legislative branch
legislative structure: bicameral
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
number of seats
electoral system
scope of elections
term in office
most recent election date
percentage of women in chamber
expected date of next election
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
number of seats
electoral system
scope of elections
term in office
most recent election date
percentage of women in chamber
expected date of next election
Judicial branch
judge selection and term of office: justices nominated by a 7-member independent body consisting of judges, presidential appointees, and lawyers and appointed by the president; judges can serve until mandatory retirement at age 65
subordinate courts: National Court and other inferior courts
Political parties
although not expressly forbidden by law, Palau does not have political parties or coalitions
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission
chancery
telephone
FAX
email address and website
info@palauembassy.org
https://www.palauembassy.org/
consulate(s)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission
embassy
mailing address
telephone
FAX
email address and website
ConsularKoror@state.gov
https://pw.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, IOC, IPU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WIPO
Independence
1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday
Constitution Day, 9 July (1981); Independence Day, 1 October (1994)
Flag
meaning: blue stands for the ocean, and the disk for the moon, which is considered a symbol of peace, love, and tranquility
National symbol(s)
bai (native meeting house)
National color(s)
blue, yellow
National anthem(s)
lyrics/music: multiple/Ymesei O. EZEKIEL
history: adopted 1980
National heritage
selected World Heritage Site locales: Rock Islands Southern Lagoon
Economy23
Economic overview
high-income Pacific island economy; environmentally fragile; subsistence agriculture and fishing industries; US aid reliance; rebounding post-pandemic tourism industry and services sector; very high living standard and low unemployment
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $274.866 million (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021: $278.538 million (2021 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022: -1.3% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2021: -13.8% (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022: $15,500 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2021: $15,700 (2021 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$281.849 million (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 12.8% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 12.4% (2022 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry: 9.9% (2023 est.)
services: 76.7% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
government consumption
investment in fixed capital
investment in inventories
exports of goods and services
imports of goods and services
Agricultural products
coconuts, cassava (manioc, tapioca), sweet potatoes; fish, pigs, chickens, eggs, bananas, papaya, breadfruit, calamansi, soursop, Polynesian chestnuts, Polynesian almonds, mangoes, taro, guava, beans, cucumbers, squash/pumpkins (various), eggplant, green onions, kangkong (watercress), cabbages (various), radishes, betel nuts, melons, peppers, noni, okra
Industries
tourism, fishing, subsistence agriculture
Industrial production growth rate
-19.5% (2023 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2022: 0.8% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2021: 0.8% of GDP (2021 est.)
Budget
expenditures: $152.398 million (2020 est.)
Public debt
Taxes and other revenues
18.1% (of GDP) (2020 est.)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2021: -$115.739 million (2021 est.)
Current account balance 2020: -$115.61 million (2020 est.)
Exports
Exports 2021: $10.566 million (2021 est.)
Exports 2020: $52.897 million (2020 est.)
Exports - partners
India 41%, Turkey 26%, Taiwan 10%, USA 9%, Japan 5% (2023)
Exports - commodities
ships, refined petroleum (2023)
Imports
Imports 2021: $169.938 million (2021 est.)
Imports 2020: $207.224 million (2020 est.)
Imports - partners
Italy 32%, China 25%, USA 11%, Turkey 10%, Japan 6% (2023)
Imports - commodities
ships, refined petroleum, additive manufacturing machines, cars, plastic products (2023)
Exchange rates
the US dollar is used
Energy1
Electricity access
electrification - urban areas: 99.9%
electrification - rural areas: 100%
Communications6
Telephones - fixed lines
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 45 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 135 (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
no broadcast TV stations; a cable TV network covers the major islands and provides access to 4 local cable stations, rebroadcasts (on a delayed basis) of a number of US stations, as well as access to a number of real-time satellite TV channels; about a half dozen radio stations (1 government-owned) (2019)
Internet country code
.pw
Internet users
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (2023 est.)
Transportation4
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
T8
Airports
3 (2025)
Merchant marine
by type: bulk carrier 49, container ship 8, general cargo 200, oil tanker 52, other 118
Ports
total ports
large
medium
small
very small
ports with oil terminals
key ports
Military & Security2
Military and security forces
no regular military forces; the Bureau of Public Safety (Ministry of Justice) has divisions for police functions and maritime security (2025)
Military - note
Palau has a "shiprider" agreement with the US, which allows local maritime law enforcement officers to embark on US Coast Guard (USCG) and US Navy (USN) vessels, including to board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within Palau's designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the high seas; "shiprider" agreements also enable USCG personnel and USN vessels with embarked USCG law enforcement personnel to work with host nations to protect critical regional resources (2025)