Palau

Code: PS | Region: Australia Oceania

Introduction

Background

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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.

Geography

Location

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

Geographic coordinates

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7 30 N, 134 30 E

Map references

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Oceania

Area

total

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459 sq km

land

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459 sq km

water

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0 sq km

Area - comparative

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

Land boundaries

total

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0 km

Coastline

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1,519 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea

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12 nm

contiguous zone

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24 nm

exclusive economic zone

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200 nm

continental shelf

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200 nm

Climate

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tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November

Terrain

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

Elevation

highest point

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Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m

lowest point

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Pacific Ocean 0 m

Natural resources

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

Land use

agricultural land

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9.3% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

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arable land: 0.7% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

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permanent crops: 4.3% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

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permanent pasture: 4.3% (2023 est.)

forest

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90.6% (2023 est.)

other

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0% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land

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0 sq km (2022)

Population distribution

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

Natural hazards

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typhoons (June to December)

Geography - note

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

People and Society

Population

total

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21,947 (2025 est.)

male

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11,257

female

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10,690

Nationality

noun

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Palauan(s)

adjective

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Palauan

Ethnic groups

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

Languages

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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.)

note

note: Sonsoralese is official in Sonsoral; Tobian is official in Tobi; Angaur and Japanese are official in Angaur

Religions

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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

0-14 years

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

15-64 years

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

65 years and over

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

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio

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41.6 (2025 est.)

youth dependency ratio

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24.9 (2025 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

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16.7 (2025 est.)

potential support ratio

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6 (2025 est.)

Median age

total

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35.5 years (2025 est.)

male

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34.1 years

female

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37.4 years

Population growth rate

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0.38% (2025 est.)

Birth rate

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

Death rate

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

Net migration rate

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

Population distribution

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

Urbanization

urban population

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82.4% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization

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

Major urban areas - population

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277 NGERULMUD (capital) (2018)

Sex ratio

at birth

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1.06 male(s)/female

0-14 years

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1.07 male(s)/female

15-64 years

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1.25 male(s)/female

65 years and over

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0.33 male(s)/female

total population

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

Maternal mortality ratio

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

Infant mortality rate

total

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

male

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12.7 deaths/1,000 live births

female

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8.8 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth

total population

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75.2 years (2024 est.)

male

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72 years

female

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78.5 years

Total fertility rate

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1.7 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

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0.83 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: urban

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urban: 99.6% of population (2022 est.)

improved: rural

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rural: 99.4% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

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total: 99.6% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

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urban: 0.4% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

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rural: 0.6% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

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total: 0.4% of population (2022 est.)

Health expenditure

Health expenditure (as % of GDP)

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16.4% of GDP (2021)

Health expenditure (as % of national budget)

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9.5% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density

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1.81 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban

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urban: 99.1% of population (2022 est.)

improved: rural

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rural: 98.4% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

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total: 99% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

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urban: 0.9% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

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rural: 1.6% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

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total: 1% of population (2022 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

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55.3% (2016)

Tobacco use

total

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16.3% (2025 est.)

male

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25.2% (2025 est.)

female

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6.8% (2025 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

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48.3% (2020 est.)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP)

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3.5% of GDP (2023 est.)

Education expenditure (% national budget)

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9.8% national budget (2023 est.)

Literacy

total population

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100% (2020 est.)

male

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100% (2020 est.)

female

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100% (2020 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total

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15 years (2023 est.)

male

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14 years (2023 est.)

female

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16 years (2023 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues

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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

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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

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none of the selected agreements

Climate

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tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November

Land use

agricultural land

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9.3% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

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arable land: 0.7% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

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permanent crops: 4.3% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

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permanent pasture: 4.3% (2023 est.)

forest

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90.6% (2023 est.)

other

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0% (2023 est.)

Urbanization

urban population

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82.4% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization

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

Particulate matter emissions

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7.9 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

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9,400 tons (2024 est.)

Government

Country name

conventional long form

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Republic of Palau

conventional short form

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Palau

local long form

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Beluu er a Belau

local short form

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Belau

former

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Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Palau District

etymology

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

Government type

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presidential republic in free association with the US

Capital

name

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Ngerulmud

geographic coordinates

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7 30 N, 134 37 E

time difference

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

etymology

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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

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

Legal system

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mixed system of civil, common, and customary law

Constitution

history

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ratified 9 July 1980, effective 1 January 1981

amendment process

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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

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

Citizenship

citizenship by birth

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citizenship by descent only

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at least one parent must be a citizen of Palau

dual citizenship recognized

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residency requirement for naturalization

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note - no procedure for naturalization

Suffrage

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18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state

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

head of government

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

cabinet

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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

election/appointment process

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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)

most recent election date

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5 November 2024

election results

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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

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November 2028

note

note: the president is both chief of state and head of government

Legislative branch

legislature name

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National Congress (Olbiil Era Kelulau)

legislative structure

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bicameral

Legislative branch - lower chamber

chamber name

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House of Delegates

number of seats

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16 (all directly elected)

electoral system

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plurality/majority

scope of elections

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full renewal

term in office

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4 years

most recent election date

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11/5/2024

percentage of women in chamber

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25%

expected date of next election

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November 2028

Legislative branch - upper chamber

chamber name

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Senate

number of seats

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15 (all directly elected)

electoral system

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plurality/majority

scope of elections

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full renewal

term in office

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4 years

most recent election date

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11/5/2024

percentage of women in chamber

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13.3%

expected date of next election

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November 2028

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

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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

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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

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National Court and other inferior courts

Political parties

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission

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Ambassador Hersey KYOTA (since 12 November 1997)

chancery

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

telephone

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[1] (202) 349-8598

FAX

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[1] (202) 452-6281

email address and website

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

consulate(s)

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Tamuning (Guam)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

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Ambassador Joel EHRENDREICH (since 29 September 2023)

embassy

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Omsangel/Beklelachieb, Airai 96940

mailing address

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4260 Koror Place, Washington, DC  20521-4260

telephone

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[680] 587-2920

FAX

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[680] 587-2911

email address and website

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

International organization participation

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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

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

National holiday

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

Flag

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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

National symbol(s)

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bai (native meeting house)

National color(s)

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blue, yellow

National anthem(s)

title

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"Belau rekid" (Our Palau)

lyrics/music

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multiple/Ymesei O. EZEKIEL

history

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adopted 1980

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites

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1 (mixed)

selected World Heritage Site locales

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Rock Islands Southern Lagoon

Economy

Economic overview

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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) 2023

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$280.025 million (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

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$274.866 million (2022 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021

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$278.538 million (2021 est.)

note

note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2023

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1.9% (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2022

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-1.3% (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2021

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-13.8% (2021 est.)

note

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2023

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$15,800 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2022

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$15,500 (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2021

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$15,700 (2021 est.)

note

note: data in 2021 dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

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$281.849 million (2023 est.)

note

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024

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2.2% (2024 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

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12.8% (2023 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

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12.4% (2022 est.)

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note: annual % change based on consumer prices

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

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3% (2023 est.)

industry

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9.9% (2023 est.)

services

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76.7% (2023 est.)

note

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption

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77.8% (2022 est.)

government consumption

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36.3% (2022 est.)

investment in fixed capital

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36.6% (2022 est.)

investment in inventories

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1.8% (2022 est.)

exports of goods and services

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13.5% (2022 est.)

imports of goods and services

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-74.3% (2022 est.)

note

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Agricultural products

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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

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tourism, fishing, subsistence agriculture

Industrial production growth rate

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-19.5% (2023 est.)

note

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Remittances

Remittances 2023

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0.7% of GDP (2023 est.)

Remittances 2022

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0.8% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances 2021

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0.8% of GDP (2021 est.)

note

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Budget

revenues

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$127.757 million (2020 est.)

expenditures

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$152.398 million (2020 est.)

note

note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Public debt

Public debt 2019

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85.2% of GDP (2019 est.)

note

note: central government debt as a % of GDP

Taxes and other revenues

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18.1% (of GDP) (2020 est.)

note

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Current account balance

Current account balance 2022

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-$135.428 million (2022 est.)

Current account balance 2021

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-$115.739 million (2021 est.)

Current account balance 2020

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-$115.61 million (2020 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Exports

Exports 2022

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$24.48 million (2022 est.)

Exports 2021

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$10.566 million (2021 est.)

Exports 2020

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$52.897 million (2020 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports - partners

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

note

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Exports - commodities

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ships, refined petroleum (2023)

note

note: top export commodities based on value in dollars over $500,000

Imports

Imports 2022

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$216.681 million (2022 est.)

Imports 2021

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$169.938 million (2021 est.)

Imports 2020

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$207.224 million (2020 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Imports - partners

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

note

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Imports - commodities

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

note

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Exchange rates

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the US dollar is used

Energy

Electricity access

electrification - total population

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100% (2022 est.)

electrification - urban areas

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99.9%

electrification - rural areas

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100%

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions

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8,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

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45 (2023 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions

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24,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

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135 (2023 est.)

Broadcast media

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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

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.pw

Internet users

percent of population

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27% (2004 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total

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1,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

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7 (2023 est.)

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

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Airports

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3 (2025)

Merchant marine

total

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427 (2023)

by type

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

Ports

total ports

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1 (2024)

large

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medium

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small

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very small

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ports with oil terminals

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key ports

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Malakal Harbor

Military and Security

Military and security forces

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no regular military forces; the Bureau of Public Safety (Ministry of Justice) has divisions for police functions and maritime security (2025)

Military - note

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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)