Communications: Broadband - fixed subscriptions: subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
7.33 (2023, World Bank)
Communications: Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total
1,000 (2023 est.)
Communications: 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)
Communications: Internet country code
.pw
Communications: Internet users: percent of population
83.9% (2024, World Bank)
Communications: Telephones - fixed lines: subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
45.10 (2023, World Bank)
Communications: Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions
8,000 (2023 est.)
Communications: Telephones - mobile cellular: subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
135.39 (2023, World Bank)
Communications: Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions
24,000 (2023 est.)
Economy: 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
Economy: Budget: expenditures
$152.398 million (2020 est.)
Economy: Budget: revenues
$127.757 million (2020 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2020
-$115.61 million (2020 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2021
-$115.739 million (2021 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2022
-$135.428 million (2022 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2024
$-134.249 million (2023, World Bank)
Economy: Exchange rates
the US dollar is used
Economy: Exports - commodities
ships, refined petroleum (2023)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2020
$52.897 million (2020 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2021
$10.566 million (2021 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2022
$24.48 million (2022 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2024
$105.127 million (2024, World Bank)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: exports of goods and services
32.7% (2024, World Bank)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: government consumption
38.3% (2024, World Bank)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption
74.6% (2024, World Bank)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: imports of goods and services
73.1% (2024, World Bank)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: investment in fixed capital
35.8% (2024, World Bank)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: investment in inventories
1.8% (2022 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture
2.7% (2024, World Bank)
Economy: GDP - composition, by sector of origin: industry
13.0% (2024, World Bank)
Economy: GDP - composition, by sector of origin: services
73.1% (2024, World Bank)
Economy: GDP - per capita (PPP)
$23,052 (2025, World Bank)
Economy: GDP (official exchange rate)
$345.000 million (2025, World Bank)
Economy: GDP (purchasing power parity) - real
$347.936 million (2025, World Bank)
Economy: Imports - commodities
ships, refined petroleum, additive manufacturing machines, cars, plastic products (2023)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2020
$207.224 million (2020 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2021
$169.938 million (2021 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2022
$216.681 million (2022 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2024
$235.061 million (2024, World Bank)
Economy: Industrial production growth rate
-19.5% (2023 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
12.4% (2022 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
12.8% (2023 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
-0.4% (2025, World Bank)
Economy: Population below poverty line
24.9% (2006, World Bank)
Economy: Public debt: Public debt 2019
85.2% of GDP (2019 est.)
Economy: Public debt: Public debt 2023
85.2% of GDP (2019, World Bank)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021
$278.538 million (2021 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$274.866 million (2022 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$280.025 million (2023 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$347.936 million (2025, World Bank)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2021
-13.8% (2021 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2022
-1.3% (2022 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2023
1.9% (2023 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2024
6.3% (2025, World Bank)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2021
$15,700 (2021 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2022
$15,500 (2022 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2023
$15,800 (2023 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2021
0.8% of GDP (2021 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2022
0.8% of GDP (2022 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2023
0.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2024
0.8% of GDP (2023, World Bank)
Economy: Taxes and other revenues
24.2% of GDP (2020, World Bank)
Energy: Electricity access: electrification - rural areas
100.0% (2024, World Bank)
Energy: Electricity access: electrification - total population
100.0% (2024, World Bank)
Energy: Electricity access: electrification - urban areas
100.0% (2024, World Bank)
Environment: Climate
tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November
Environment: 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
Environment: 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
Environment: International environmental agreements: signed, but not ratified
none of the selected agreements
Environment: Land use: agricultural land
9.3% (2023, World Bank)
Environment: Land use: agricultural land: arable land
0.7% (2023, World Bank)
Environment: Land use: agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 4.3% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 4.3% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: forest
90.5% (2023, World Bank)
Environment: Land use: other
0% (2023 est.)
Environment: Particulate matter emissions
7.9 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Environment: Urbanization: rate of urbanization
1.59% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Environment: Urbanization: urban population
79.3% (2025, World Bank)
Environment: Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually
9,400 tons (2024 est.)
Geography: Area - comparative
slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, D.C.
Geography: Area: land
459 sq km
Geography: Area: water
0 sq km
Geography: Coastline
1,519 km
Geography: Elevation: highest point
Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m
Geography: Elevation: lowest point
Pacific Ocean 0 m
Geography: Geographic coordinates
7 30 N, 134 30 E
Geography: Geography - note
westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of six island groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes world-famous Rock Islands
Geography: Irrigated land
0 sq km (2022)
Geography: Land boundaries: total
0 km
Geography: Land use: agricultural land
9.3% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0.7% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 4.3% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 4.3% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: forest
90.6% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: other
0% (2023 est.)
Geography: Map references
Oceania
Geography: Maritime claims: contiguous zone
24 nm
Geography: Maritime claims: continental shelf
200 nm
Geography: Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Geography: Maritime claims: territorial sea
12 nm
Geography: Natural hazards
typhoons (June to December)
Geography: Population distribution
most of the population is located on the southern end of the main island of Babelthuap
Geography: Terrain
varying topography from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs
Government: Administrative divisions
16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatohobei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol
Government: 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
Government: Capital: geographic coordinates
7 30 N, 134 37 E
Government: Capital: time difference
UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Government: Citizenship: citizenship by birth
no
Government: Citizenship: citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Palau
Government: Citizenship: dual citizenship recognized
no
Government: Citizenship: residency requirement for naturalization
note - no procedure for naturalization
Government: 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
Government: Constitution: history
ratified 9 July 1980, effective 1 January 1981
Government: Country name: conventional short form
Palau
Government: Country name: etymology
from the Palauan name for the islands, Belau, which likely derives from the Palauan word beluu , meaning "village"
Government: Country name: former
Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Palau District
Government: Country name: local long form
Beluu er a Belau
Government: Country name: local short form
Belau
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission
Ambassador Joel EHRENDREICH (since 29 September 2023)
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: email address and website
ConsularKoror@state.gov https://pw.usembassy.gov/
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy
Omsangel/Beklelachieb, Airai 96940
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: FAX
[680] 587-2911
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: mailing address
4260 Koror Place, Washington, DC 20521-4260
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: telephone
[680] 587-2920
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: chancery
1701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20006
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission
Ambassador Hersey KYOTA (since 12 November 1997)
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: consulate(s)
Tamuning (Guam)
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: email address and website
info@palauembassy.org https://www.palauembassy.org/
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: FAX
[1] (202) 452-6281
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: telephone
[1] (202) 349-8598
Government: 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
Government: Executive branch: chief of state
President Surangel WHIPPS, Jr. (since 21 January 2021)
Government: Executive branch: 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%
Government: Executive branch: 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)
Government: Executive branch: expected date of next election
November 2028
Government: Executive branch: head of government
President Surangel WHIPPS, Jr. (since 21 January 2021)
Government: Executive branch: most recent election date
5 November 2024
Government: 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: International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Government: 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
Government: 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)
Government: Judicial branch: judge selection and term of office
justices nominated by a 7-member independent body consisting of judges, presidential appointees, and lawyers and appointed by the president; judges can serve until mandatory retirement at age 65
Government: Judicial branch: subordinate courts
National Court and other inferior courts
Government: Legal system
mixed system of civil, common, and customary law
Government: Legislative branch - lower chamber: chamber name
House of Delegates
Government: Legislative branch - lower chamber: electoral system
plurality/majority
Government: Legislative branch - lower chamber: expected date of next election
November 2028
Government: Legislative branch - lower chamber: most recent election date
11/5/2024
Government: Legislative branch - lower chamber: number of seats
16 (all directly elected)
Government: Legislative branch - lower chamber: percentage of women in chamber
25%
Government: Legislative branch - lower chamber: scope of elections
full renewal
Government: Legislative branch - lower chamber: term in office
4 years
Government: Legislative branch - upper chamber: chamber name
Senate
Government: Legislative branch - upper chamber: electoral system
plurality/majority
Government: Legislative branch - upper chamber: expected date of next election
November 2028
Government: Legislative branch - upper chamber: most recent election date
11/5/2024
Government: Legislative branch - upper chamber: number of seats
15 (all directly elected)
Government: Legislative branch - upper chamber: percentage of women in chamber
13.3%
Government: Legislative branch - upper chamber: scope of elections
full renewal
Government: Legislative branch - upper chamber: term in office
4 years
Government: Legislative branch: legislative structure
bicameral
Government: Legislative branch: legislature name
National Congress (Olbiil Era Kelulau)
Government: National anthem(s): history
adopted 1980
Government: National anthem(s): lyrics/music
multiple/Ymesei O. EZEKIEL
Government: National color(s)
blue, yellow
Government: National heritage: selected World Heritage Site locales
Rock Islands Southern Lagoon
Government: National heritage: total World Heritage Sites
1 (mixed)
Government: National holiday
Constitution Day, 9 July (1981); Independence Day, 1 October (1994)
Government: National symbol(s)
bai (native meeting house)
Government: Political parties
although not expressly forbidden by law, Palau does not have political parties or coalitions
Government: Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Introduction: 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.
Military and Security: 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: 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)
People and Society: Age structure: 0-14 years
17.9% (2025, World Bank)
People and Society: Age structure: 15-64 years
70.2% (2025, World Bank)
People and Society: Age structure: 65 years and over
11.8% (2025, World Bank)
People and Society: Birth rate
10.69 (2024, World Bank)
People and Society: Current health expenditure
10.9% of GDP (2023, World Bank)
People and Society: Currently married women (ages 15-49)
48.3% (2020 est.)
People and Society: Death rate
11.73 (2024, World Bank)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: elderly dependency ratio
16.7 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: potential support ratio
6 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio
41.6 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: youth dependency ratio
24.9 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: improved: rural
rural: 99.4% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: improved: total
99.5% (2024, World Bank)
People and Society: Drinking water source: improved: urban
urban: 99.6% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: unimproved: rural
rural: 0.6% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: unimproved: total
total: 0.4% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: unimproved: urban
urban: 0.4% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Education expenditure: Education expenditure (% GDP)
3.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
People and Society: Education expenditure: Education expenditure (% national budget)
9.8% national budget (2023 est.)
People and Society: Ethnic groups
Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 70.6%, Carolinian 1.2%, Asian 26.5%, other 1.7% (2020 est.)
People and Society: Gross reproduction rate
0.83 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Health expenditure: Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
16.4% of GDP (2021)
People and Society: Health expenditure: Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
9.5% of national budget (2022 est.)
People and Society: Hospital bed density
4.34 (2010, World Bank)
People and Society: Infant mortality rate: female
16.40 (2024, World Bank)
People and Society: Infant mortality rate: male
20.60 (2024, World Bank)
People and Society: Infant mortality rate: total
18.60 (2024, World Bank)
People and Society: Life expectancy at birth: female
71.94 (2024, World Bank)
People and Society: Life expectancy at birth: male
67.25 (2024, World Bank)
People and Society: Literacy: female
99.7% (2020, World Bank)
People and Society: Literacy: male
100.0% (2020, World Bank)
People and Society: Literacy: total population
99.8% (2020, World Bank)
People and Society: Major urban areas - population
277 NGERULMUD (capital) (2018)
People and Society: Maternal mortality ratio
89.00 (2023, World Bank)
People and Society: Median age: female
37.4 years
People and Society: Median age: male
34.1 years
People and Society: Nationality: adjective
Palauan
People and Society: Net migration rate
0.77 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
People and Society: Obesity - adult prevalence rate
55.3% (2016)
People and Society: Physician density
1.81 (2023, World Bank)
People and Society: Population
17,663 (2025, World Bank)
People and Society: Population distribution
most of the population is located on the southern end of the main island of Babelthuap
People and Society: Population growth rate
-0.2% (2025, World Bank)
People and Society: Population: female
8,157 (2025, World Bank)
People and Society: Population: male
9,506 (2025, World Bank)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: improved: rural
rural: 98.4% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: improved: total
99.0% (2024, World Bank)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: improved: urban
urban: 99.1% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: unimproved: rural
rural: 1.6% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: unimproved: total
total: 1% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: unimproved: urban
urban: 0.9% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): female
16 years (2023 est.)
People and Society: School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): male
14 years (2023 est.)
People and Society: School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total
15 years (2023 est.)
People and Society: Sex ratio: 0-14 years
1.07 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: 15-64 years
1.25 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: 65 years and over
0.33 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: at birth
1.06 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: total population
1.06 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
People and Society: Tobacco use: female
6.8% (2025 est.)
People and Society: Tobacco use: male
25.2% (2025 est.)
People and Society: Tobacco use: total
16.3% (2025 est.)
People and Society: Total fertility rate
1.88 (2024, World Bank)
People and Society: Urbanization: rate of urbanization
-0.1% (2025, World Bank)
People and Society: Urbanization: urban population
79.3% (2025, World Bank)
Transnational Issues: Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees
5 (2024, UNHCR)
Transportation: Airports
3 (2025)
Transportation: Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
T8
Transportation: Merchant marine: by type
bulk carrier 49, container ship 8, general cargo 200, oil tanker 52, other 118
Transportation: Merchant marine: total
427 (2023)
Transportation: Ports: key ports
Malakal Harbor
Transportation: Ports: large
0
Transportation: Ports: medium
0
Transportation: Ports: ports with oil terminals
1
Transportation: Ports: small
0
Transportation: Ports: total ports
1 (2024)
Transportation: Ports: very small
1
Warning: Some information might be outdated or incorrect, please check statistics before using(most of the economical stats are correct, its mostly the Population stats that are incorrect). Some dates are listed but some are missed, if you have any issues please report it to the Github at github.com.