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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

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) (2017)

Internet country code [time series]

.pw

Internet users [time series]

total: 7,650 | percent of population: 36.0% (July 2016 est.)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: well-developed mobile sector recently boosted by satellite network capacity upgrades | domestic: fixed-line and mobile-cellular services available with a combined subscribership of over 140 per 100 persons | international: country code - 680; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 7,204 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 34 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 203

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total: 24,000 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 112 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 210

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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 [time series]

revenues: $204.9 million | expenditures: $177.6 million (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

8.8% of GDP (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 4

Current account balance [time series]

$-32 million (2016 est.) | $-24.2 million (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 60

Debt - external [time series]

$18.38 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $16.47 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 94

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

The economy is dominated by tourism, fishing, and subsistence agriculture. Government is a major employer of the work force relying on financial assistance from the US under the Compact of Free Association (Compact) with the US that took effect after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October 1994. The US provided Palau with roughly $700 million in aid for the first 15 years following commencement of the Compact in 1994 in return for unrestricted access to its land and waterways for strategic purposes. The population enjoys a per capita income roughly double that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. | Business and leisure tourist arrivals reached a record 167,966 in 2015, a 14.4% increase over the previous year, but fell to 138,408 in 2016. Long-run prospects for tourism have been bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific, the rising prosperity of industrial East Asia, and the willingness of foreigners to finance infrastructure development. Proximity to Guam, the region's major destination for tourists from East Asia, and a regionally competitive tourist infrastructure enhance Palau's advantage as a destination.

Exchange rates [time series]

the US dollar is used

Exports [time series]

$117.5 million (2016 est.) | $14.8 million (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 193

Exports - commodities [time series]

shellfish, tuna, other fish (many species)

Exports - partners [time series]

Greece 82.4%, US 6.9% (2016)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 October - 30 September

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$310 million (2016 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$292 million (2016 est.) | $283 million (2015 est.) | $252 million (2014 est.) | note: data are in 2016 dollars | country comparison to the world: 217

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]

agriculture: 3% | industry: 19% | services: 78% (2016 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$16,200 (2016 est.) | $15,900 (2015 est.) | $14,300 (2014 est.) | note: data are in 2016 dollars | country comparison to the world: 105

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

1.9% (2016 est.) | 11.4% (2015 est.) | 5.4% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 188

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% | highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$179.3 million (2016 est.) | $176.9 million (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 210

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and equipment, fuels, metals; foodstuffs

Imports - partners [time series]

US 24.6%, Japan 19.8%, China 14.3%, Guam 14.2%, Philippines 4.4% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

NA%

Industries [time series]

tourism, fishing, subsistence agriculture

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

-1% (2016 est.) | 0.9% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 14

Labor force [time series]

11,610 (2016) | country comparison to the world: 217

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 1.2% | industry: 12.4% | services: 86.4% (2016)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Public debt [time series]

24.1% of GDP (2016 est.) | 21.6% of GDP (2015) | country comparison to the world: 175

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$580.9 million (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 139

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

66.1% of GDP (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 6

Unemployment rate [time series]

1.7% (2015 est.) | 4.1% (2012) | country comparison to the world: 12

Energy

Electricity access [time series]

population without electricity: 8,752 | electrification - total population: 59% | electrification - urban areas: 62% | electrification - rural areas: 45% (2012)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 459 sq km | land: 459 sq km | water: 0 sq km | country comparison to the world: 198

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate [time series]

tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November

Coastline [time series]

1,519 km

Elevation [time series]

mean elevation: NA | elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m | highest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

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

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling | signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates [time series]

7 30 N, 134 30 E

Geography - note [time series]

westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of six island groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes World War II battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous Rock Islands

Irrigated land [time series]

0 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 10.8% | arable land 2.2%; permanent crops 4.3%; permanent pasture 4.3% | forest: 87.6% | other: 1.6% (2011 est.)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Oceania

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm | contiguous zone: 24 nm | exclusive economic zone: 200 nm | continental shelf: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

typhoons (June to December)

Natural resources [time series]

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

Population distribution (Population - distribution) [time series]

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

Terrain [time series]

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

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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

Capital [time series]

name: Ngerulmud | geographic coordinates: 7 30 N, 134 37 E | time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship [time series]

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 [time series]

ratified 9 July 1980, effective 1 January 1981; amended 1992, 2004, 2008 (2016)

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Palau | conventional short form: Palau | local long form: Beluu er a Belau | local short form: Belau | former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Palau District | etymology: from the Palauan name for the islands, Belau, which likely derives from the Palauan word "beluu" meaning "village"

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Amy HYATT (since 9 March 2015) | embassy: Koror (no street address) | mailing address: P. O. Box 6028, Koror, Republic of Palau 96940 | telephone: [680] 587-2920 | FAX: [680] 587-2911

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Hersey KYOTA (since 12 November 1997) | chancery: 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036 | telephone: [1] (202) 452-6814 | FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281 | consulate(s): Tamuning (Guam)

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Tommy REMENGESAU (since 17 January 2013); Vice President Antonio BELLS (since 17 January 2013); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government | head of government: President Tommy REMENGESAU (since 17 January 2013); Vice President Antonio BELLS (since 17 January 2013) | 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 of Palau | elections/appointments: 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); election last held on 1 November 2016 (next to be held in November 2020) | election results: Tommy REMENGESAU reelected president; percent of vote - Tommy REMENGESAU (independent) 51.3%, Surangel WHIPPS, Jr.(independent) 48.7%; Antonio BELLS elected vice president

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

light blue with a large yellow disk shifted slightly to the hoist side; the blue color represents the ocean, the disk represents the moon; Palauans consider the full moon to be the optimum time for human activity; it is also considered a symbol of peace, love, and tranquility

Government type [time series]

presidential republic in free association with the US

Independence [time series]

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

International law organization participation [time series]

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

International organization participation [time series]

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

Judicial branch [time series]

highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 3 associate justices organized into appellate trial divisions; also within the Supreme Court organization are 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 appointed until mandatory retirement at age 65 | subordinate courts: National Court and other 'inferior' courts

Legal system [time series]

mixed legal system of civil, common, and customary law

Legislative branch [time series]

description: bicameral National Congress or Olbiil Era Kelulau consists of the Senate (13 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by majority vote to serve 4-year terms) and the House of Delegates (16 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms) | elections: Senate - last held on 1 November 2016 (next to be held in November 2020); House of Delegates - last held on 1 November 2016 (next to be held in November 2020) | election results: Senate - percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 13; House of Delegates - percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 16

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Belau rekid" (Our Palau) | lyrics/music: multiple/Ymesei O. EZEKIEL | note: adopted 1980

National holiday [time series]

Constitution Day, 9 July (1981), day of a national referendum to pass the new constitution; Independence Day, 1 October (1994)

National symbol(s) [time series]

bai (native meeting house); national colors: blue, yellow

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

none

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

After three decades as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific under US administration, this westernmost cluster of the Caroline Islands opted for independence in 1978 rather than join the Federated States of Micronesia. A Compact of Free Association with the US was approved in 1986 but not ratified until 1993. It entered into force the following year when the islands gained independence.

Military and Security

Military - note [time series]

defense is the responsibility of the US; under a Compact of Free Association between Palau and the US, the US military is granted access to the islands for 50 years, but it has not stationed any military forces there (2008)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

no regular military forces; Palau National Police (2009)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 19.69% (male 2,177/female 2,043) | 15-24 years: 16.68% (male 1,788/female 1,787) | 25-54 years: 45.89% (male 6,005/female 3,830) | 55-64 years: 9.65% (male 731/female 1,338) | 65 years and over: 8.08% (male 446/female 1,286) (2017 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

11.3 births/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 174

Death rate [time series]

8.1 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 86

Drinking water source [time series]

Ethnic groups [time series]

Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 73%, Carolinian 2%, Asian 21.7%, caucasian 1.2%, other 2.1% (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

9% of GDP (2014) | country comparison to the world: 39

Hospital bed density [time series]

4.8 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 10.6 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 12.1 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 9 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 133

Languages [time series]

Palauan (official on most islands) 65.2%, other Micronesian 1.9%, English (official) 19.1%, Filipino 9.9%, Chinese 1.2%, other 2.8% | note: Sonsoralese is official in Sonsoral; Tobian is official in Tobi; Angaur and Japanese are official in Angaur (2015 est.)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 73.4 years | male: 70.2 years | female: 76.8 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 135

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 96.6% | male: 96.8% | female: 86% (2015 est.)

Major urban areas - population [time series]

MELEKEOK (capital) 299 (2012)

Median age [time series]

total: 33.4 years | male: 32.7 years | female: 35 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 88

Nationality [time series]

noun: Palauan(s) | adjective: Palauan

Net migration rate [time series]

0.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 61

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

55.3% (2016) | country comparison to the world: 3

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

1.42 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population [time series]

21,431 (July 2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 219

Population distribution [time series]

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

Population growth rate [time series]

0.39% (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 166

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 45.3%, Protestant 34.9% (includes Evangelical 26.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 6.9%, Assembly of God .9%, Baptist .7%), Modekngei 5.7% (indigenous to Palau), Muslim 3%, Mormon 1.5%, other 9.7% (2015 est.)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 17 years | male: 16 years | female: 18 years (2013)

Sex ratio [time series]

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.71 children born/woman (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 170

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 88.2% of total population (2017) | rate of urbanization: 1.6% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

maritime delineation negotiations continue with Philippines, Indonesia

Transportation

Airports [time series]

3 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 194

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 1 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 2 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2013)

National air transport system [time series]

number of registered air carriers: 1 | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 1 (2015)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Koror