2020 Edition

Background

Humans arrived in the Palauan archipelago from Southeast Asia around 1000 B.C. and developed a complex, highly organized matrilineal society where high-ranking women picked the chiefs. The islands were the westernmost part of the widely scattered Pacific islands north of New Guinea that Spanish explorers named the Caroline Islands in the 17th century. The 18th and 19th centuries saw occasional visits of whalers and traders as Spain gained some influence in the islands and administered it from the Philippines. Spain sold Palau to Germany in 1899 after losing the Philippines in the Spanish-American War. 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.

Area

land

459 sq km

total

459 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, D.C.

Climate

tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November

Coastline

1,519 km

Elevation

highest point

Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Geographic coordinates

7 30 N, 134 30 E

Geography - note

westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of six island groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes world-famous Rock Islands

Irrigated land

0 sq km (2022)

Land boundaries

total

0 km

Land use

agricultural land

9.3% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 0.7% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 4.3% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 4.3% (2023 est.)

forest

90.6% (2023 est.)

other

0% (2023 est.)

Location

Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

typhoons (June to December)

Natural resources

forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals

Population distribution

most of the population is located on the southern end of the main island of Babelthuap

Terrain

varying topography from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs

Age structure

0-14 years

17.5% (male 1,976/female 1,849)

15-64 years

71.3% (male 8,647/female 6,935)

65 years and over

11.2% (2024 est.) (male 612/female 1,845)

Birth rate

11.53 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

48.3% (2020 est.)

Death rate

8.52 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

16.7 (2025 est.)

potential support ratio

6 (2025 est.)

total dependency ratio

41.6 (2025 est.)

youth dependency ratio

24.9 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: rural

rural: 99.4% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

total: 99.6% of population (2022 est.)

improved: urban

urban: 99.6% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

rural: 0.6% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

total: 0.4% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 0.4% of population (2022 est.)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP)

3.5% of GDP (2023 est.)

Education expenditure (% national budget)

9.8% national budget (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups

Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 70.6%, Carolinian 1.2%, Asian 26.5%, other 1.7% (2020 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.83 (2025 est.)

Health expenditure

Health expenditure (as % of GDP)

16.4% of GDP (2021)

Health expenditure (as % of national budget)

9.5% of national budget (2022 est.)

Infant mortality rate

female

8.8 deaths/1,000 live births

male

12.7 deaths/1,000 live births

total

10.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 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.)

Life expectancy at birth

female

78.5 years

male

72 years

total population

75.2 years (2024 est.)

Literacy

female

100% (2020 est.)

male

100% (2020 est.)

total population

100% (2020 est.)

Major urban areas - population

277 NGERULMUD (capital) (2018)

Maternal mortality ratio

89 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Median age

female

37.4 years

male

34.1 years

total

35.5 years (2025 est.)

Nationality

adjective

Palauan

noun

Palauan(s)

Net migration rate

0.77 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

55.3% (2016)

Physician density

1.81 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

Population

female

10,690

male

11,257

total

21,947 (2025 est.)

Population growth rate

0.38% (2025 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.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: rural

rural: 98.4% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

total: 99% of population (2022 est.)

improved: urban

urban: 99.1% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

rural: 1.6% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

total: 1% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 0.9% of population (2022 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

16 years (2023 est.)

male

14 years (2023 est.)

total

15 years (2023 est.)

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

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

1.06 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Tobacco use

female

6.8% (2025 est.)

male

25.2% (2025 est.)

total

16.3% (2025 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.7 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

1.59% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

82.4% of total population (2023)

Administrative divisions

16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatohobei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol

Capital

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

geographic coordinates

7 30 N, 134 37 E

name

Ngerulmud

time difference

UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

citizenship by birth

no

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

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

history

ratified 9 July 1980, effective 1 January 1981

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Palau

conventional short form

Palau

etymology

from the Palauan name for the islands, Belau, which likely derives from the Palauan word beluu, meaning "village"

former

Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Palau District

local long form

Beluu er a Belau

local short form

Belau

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Joel EHRENDREICH (since 29 September 2023)

email address and website

ConsularKoror@state.gov https://pw.usembassy.gov/

embassy

Omsangel/Beklelachieb, Airai 96940

FAX

[680] 587-2911

mailing address

4260 Koror Place, Washington, DC 20521-4260

telephone

[680] 587-2920

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

1701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20006

chief of mission

Ambassador Hersey KYOTA (since 12 November 1997)

consulate(s)

Tamuning (Guam)

email address and website

info@palauembassy.org https://www.palauembassy.org/

FAX

[1] (202) 452-6281

telephone

[1] (202) 349-8598

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the Senate; also includes the vice president; the Council of Chiefs consists of chiefs from each of the states who advise the president on issues concerning traditional laws, customs, and their relationship to the constitution and laws

chief of state

President Surangel WHIPPS, Jr. (since 21 January 2021)

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%

election/appointment process

president and vice president directly elected on separate ballots by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term)

expected date of next election

November 2028

head of government

President Surangel WHIPPS, Jr. (since 21 January 2021)

most recent election date

5 November 2024

Flag

description: light blue with a large yellow disk to the left side meaning: blue stands for the ocean, and the disk for the moon, which is considered a symbol of peace, love, and tranquility

Government type

presidential republic in free association with the US

Independence

1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

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

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 3 associate justices organized into appellate trial divisions; the Supreme Court organization also includes the Common Pleas and Land Courts)

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

Legal system

mixed system of civil, common, and customary law

Legislative branch

legislative structure

bicameral

legislature name

National Congress (Olbiil Era Kelulau)

Legislative branch - lower chamber

chamber name

House of Delegates

electoral system

plurality/majority

expected date of next election

November 2028

most recent election date

11/5/2024

number of seats

16 (all directly elected)

percentage of women in chamber

25%

scope of elections

full renewal

term in office

4 years

Legislative branch - upper chamber

chamber name

Senate

electoral system

plurality/majority

expected date of next election

November 2028

most recent election date

11/5/2024

number of seats

15 (all directly elected)

percentage of women in chamber

13.3%

scope of elections

full renewal

term in office

4 years

National anthem(s)

history

adopted 1980

lyrics/music

multiple/Ymesei O. EZEKIEL

title

"Belau rekid" (Our Palau)

National color(s)

blue, yellow

National heritage

selected World Heritage Site locales

Rock Islands Southern Lagoon

total World Heritage Sites

1 (mixed)

National holiday

Constitution Day, 9 July (1981); Independence Day, 1 October (1994)

National symbol(s)

bai (native meeting house)

Political parties

although not expressly forbidden by law, Palau does not have political parties or coalitions

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

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

Budget

expenditures

$152.398 million (2020 est.)

revenues

$127.757 million (2020 est.)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2020

-$115.61 million (2020 est.)

Current account balance 2021

-$115.739 million (2021 est.)

Current account balance 2022

-$135.428 million (2022 est.)

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

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Exports

Exports 2020

$52.897 million (2020 est.)

Exports 2021

$10.566 million (2021 est.)

Exports 2022

$24.48 million (2022 est.)

Exports - commodities

ships, refined petroleum (2023)

Exports - partners

India 41%, Turkey 26%, Taiwan 10%, USA 9%, Japan 5% (2023)

GDP - composition, by end use

exports of goods and services

13.5% (2022 est.)

government consumption

36.3% (2022 est.)

household consumption

77.8% (2022 est.)

imports of goods and services

-74.3% (2022 est.)

investment in fixed capital

36.6% (2022 est.)

investment in inventories

1.8% (2022 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

3% (2023 est.)

industry

9.9% (2023 est.)

services

76.7% (2023 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$281.849 million (2023 est.)

Imports

Imports 2020

$207.224 million (2020 est.)

Imports 2021

$169.938 million (2021 est.)

Imports 2022

$216.681 million (2022 est.)

Imports - commodities

ships, refined petroleum, additive manufacturing machines, cars, plastic products (2023)

Imports - partners

Italy 32%, China 25%, USA 11%, Turkey 10%, Japan 6% (2023)

Industrial production growth rate

-19.5% (2023 est.)

Industries

tourism, fishing, subsistence agriculture

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

12.4% (2022 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

12.8% (2023 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024

2.2% (2024 est.)

Public debt

Public debt 2019

85.2% of GDP (2019 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021

$278.538 million (2021 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

$274.866 million (2022 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

$280.025 million (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2021

-13.8% (2021 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2022

-1.3% (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

1.9% (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2021

$15,700 (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2022

$15,500 (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

$15,800 (2023 est.)

Remittances

Remittances 2021

0.8% of GDP (2021 est.)

Remittances 2022

0.8% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances 2023

0.7% of GDP (2023 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

18.1% (of GDP) (2020 est.)

Electricity access

electrification - rural areas

100%

electrification - total population

100% (2022 est.)

electrification - urban areas

99.9%

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

7 (2023 est.)

total

1,000 (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

percent of population

27% (2004 est.)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

45 (2023 est.)

total subscriptions

8,000 (2023 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

135 (2023 est.)

total subscriptions

24,000 (2023 est.)

Airports

3 (2025)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

T8

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 49, container ship 8, general cargo 200, oil tanker 52, other 118

total

427 (2023)

Ports

key ports

Malakal Harbor

large

0

medium

0

ports with oil terminals

1

small

0

total ports

1 (2024)

very small

1

Military - note

under the Compact of Free Association between Palau and the US, the US is responsible for the defense of Palau, and the US military is granted access to the islands; the COFA also allows citizens of Palau to serve in the US armed forces 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)

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)

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees

5 (2024 est.)

Environmental issues

inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste; threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging, illegal fishing practices, and overfishing; rising sea level; coral bleaching; drought

International environmental agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Particulate matter emissions

7.9 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

9,400 tons (2024 est.)