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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) (2019)

Internet country code [time series]

.pw

Internet users [time series]

total: 7,650 | percent of population: 36% (July 2016 est.)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: well-developed mobile sector recently boosted by satellite network capacity upgrades; 3G services available with satellite; lack of telecom regulations; (2018) | domestic: fixed-line 34 per 100 and mobile-cellular services 112 per 100 persons (2018) | international: country code - 680; landing point for the SEA-US submarine cable linking Palau, Philippines, Micronesia, Indonesia, Hawaii (US), Guam (US) and California (US); satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2019)

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 7,204 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 34 (July 2016 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total subscriptions: 24,000 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 112 (July 2016 est.)

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: 193 million (2012 est.) | expenditures: 167.3 million (2012 est.)

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

8.8% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

-$53 million (2017 est.) | -$36 million (2016 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$18.38 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $16.47 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

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]

$23.17 billion (2017 est.) | $14.8 million (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

shellfish, tuna, other fish (many species)

Exports - partners [time series]

Japan 51.3%, US 15.8%, India 13.8%, Guam 8% (2017)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 October - 30 September

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$292 million (2017 est.)

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

$264 million (2017 est.) | $274.2 million (2016 est.) | $274.1 million (2015 est.) | note: data are in 2017 dollars

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 60.5% (2016 est.) | government consumption: 27.2% (2016 est.) | investment in fixed capital: 22.7% (2016 est.) | investment in inventories: 1.9% (2016 est.) | exports of goods and services: 55.2% (2016 est.) | imports of goods and services: -67.6% (2016 est.)

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

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

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

$14,700 (2017 est.) | $15,200 (2016 est.) | $15,200 (2015 est.) | note: data are in 2017 dollars

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

-3.7% (2017 est.) | 0% (2016 est.) | 10.1% (2015 est.)

Gross national saving [time series]

48.7% of GDP (2016 est.) | 50.1% of GDP (2015 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA | highest 10%: NA

Imports [time series]

$4.715 billion (2018 est.) | $4.079 billion (2017 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and equipment, fuels, metals; foodstuffs

Imports - partners [time series]

US 33.4%, Guam 15.8%, Japan 15.7%, China 13.5%, South Korea 5.3% (2017)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

Industries [time series]

tourism, fishing, subsistence agriculture

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

0.9% (2017 est.) | -1% (2016 est.)

Labor force [time series]

11,610 (2016)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

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

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

Population below poverty line [time series]

24.9% NA (2006)

Public debt [time series]

24.1% of GDP (2016 est.) | 21.6% of GDP (2015)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$0 (31 December 2017 est.) | $580.9 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

(31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

66.1% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

1.7% (2015 est.) | 4.1% (2012)

Energy

Electricity access [time series]

electrification - total population: 99.3% (2016) | electrification - urban areas: 99.6% (2016) | electrification - rural areas: 97.2% (2016)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 459 sq km | land: 459 sq km | water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC | Area comparison map: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × Australia - Oceania :: Palau Print Image Description 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]

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 and destructive fishing practices, and overfishing; climate change contributes to rising sea level and coral bleaching; drought

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

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, 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% (2011 est.) | arable land: 2.2% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 4.3% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 4.3% (2011 est.) | forest: 87.6% (2011 est.) | 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 | exclusive economic zone: 200 nm | contiguous zone: 24 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 [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) | etymology: the Palauan meaning is "place of fermented 'mud'" ('mud' being the native name for the keyhole angelfish); the site of the new capitol (established in 2006) had been a large hill overlooking the ocean, Ngerulmud, on which women would communally gather to offer fermented angelfish to the gods

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]

history: ratified 9 July 1980, effective 1 January 1981 | amendments: 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; amended 1992, 2004, 2008 (2017)

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) | telephone: [680] 587-2920 | embassy: Omsangel/Beklelachieb, Airai, Palau 96940 | mailing address: P. O. Box 6028, Koror, Republic of Palau 96940 | FAX: [680] 587-2911

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

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 Raynold OILUCH (since 19 January 2017); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government | head of government: President Tommy REMENGESAU (since 17 January 2013); Vice President Raynold OILUCH (since 19 January 2017) | 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%; Raynold OILUCH 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 courts: 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 [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: Senate (13 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by majority vote to serve 4-year terms) 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; composition - men 11, women 2, percent of women 15.4% House of Delegates - percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 16; composition - men 14, women 2, percent of women 12.5%; note - total National Congress percent of women 13.8%

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

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]

Under a 1994 Compact of Free Association between Palau and the US, the US until 2044 is responsible for the defense of Palaus and the US military is granted access to the islands, but it has not stationed any military forces there. (2019)

Military and security forces [time series]

no regular military forces; the Ministry of Justice includes divisions/bureaus for public security, police functions, and maritime law enforcement. (2019)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 19.37% (male 2,149 /female 2,019) | 15-24 years: 16.4% (male 1,768 /female 1,760) | 25-54 years: 45.74% (male 6,016 /female 3,826) | 55-64 years: 9.99% (male 765 /female 1,384) | 65 years and over: 8.5% (male 464 /female 1,365) (2018 est.) | population pyramid: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × Australia - Oceania :: Palau Print Image Description This is the population pyramid for Palau. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends. For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.

Birth rate [time series]

11.3 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Current health expenditure (Current Health Expenditure) [time series]

11.7% (2016)

Death rate [time series]

8.2 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Drinking water source [time series]

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [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]

Hospital bed density [time series]

4.8 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 10.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.) | male: 11.8 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 8.8 deaths/1,000 live births

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% (2015 est.) | note: Sonsoralese is official in Sonsoral; Tobian is official in Tobi; Angaur and Japanese are official in Angaur

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 73.6 years (2018 est.) | male: 70.4 years | female: 77 years

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 96.6% | male: 96.8% | female: 96.3% (2015)

Major urban areas - population [time series]

277 NGERULMUD (capital) (2018)

Median age [time series]

total: 33.6 years (2018 est.) | male: 32.8 years | female: 35.3 years

Nationality [time series]

noun: Palauan(s) | adjective: Palauan

Net migration rate [time series]

0.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

55.3% (2016)

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

1.19 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Population [time series]

21,516 (July 2018 est.)

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]

0.4% (2018 est.)

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]

1.7 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 80.5% of total population (2019) | rate of urbanization: 1.77% 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)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

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

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

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

National air transport system [time series]

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

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Koror

Roadways [time series]

total: 125 km (2018) | paved: 89 km (2018) | unpaved: 36 km (2018)