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.
Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines
7 30 N, 134 30 E
Oceania
total: 459 sq km
land: 459 sq km
water: 0 sq km
country comparison to the world: 198
slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
0 km
1,519 km
territorial sea: 12nm
exclusive economic zone: 200nm
contiguous zone: 24nm
continental shelf: 200nm
tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November
varying topography from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m
forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals
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.)
0 sq km (2012)
most of the population is located on the southern end of the main island of Babelthuap
typhoons (June to December)
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
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
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
21,516 (July 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 219
noun: Palauan(s)
adjective: Palauan
Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 73%, Carolinian 2%, Asian 21.7%, caucasian 1.2%, other 2.1% (2015 est.)
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
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.)
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:
total: 33.6 years (2018 est.)
male: 32.8 years
female: 35.3 years
country comparison to the world: 92
0.4% (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
11.3 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
8.2 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
0.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
most of the population is located on the southern end of the main island of Babelthuap
urban population: 80.5% of total population(2019)
rate of urbanization: 1.77% annual rate of change(2015-20 est.)
277 NGERULMUD (capital) (2018)
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.57 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.55 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.34 male(s)/female
total population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2018 est.)
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
country comparison to the world: 133
total population: 73.6 years (2018 est.)
male: 70.4 years
female: 77 years
country comparison to the world: 136
1.7 children born/woman (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
improved: urban: 97% of population
rural: 86% of population
total: 95.3% of population
unimproved: urban: 3% of population
rural: 14% of population
total: 4.7% of population (2011 est.)
11.7% (2016)
1.19 physicians/1,000 population (2014)
4.8 beds/1,000 population (2010)
improved: urban: 100% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 100% of population (2015 est.)
total: 100% of population (2015 est.)
unimproved: urban: 0% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 0% of population (2015 est.)
total: 0% of population (2015 est.)
NA
NA
NA
55.3% (2016)
country comparison to the world: 3
NA
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 96.6%
male: 96.8%
female: 96.3% (2015)
total: 17 years
male: 16 years
female: 18 years (2013)
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"
presidential republic in free association with the US
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
16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatohobei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol
1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
Constitution Day, 9 July (1981), day of a national referendum to pass the new constitution; Independence Day, 1 October (1994)
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)
mixed legal system of civil, common, and customary law
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
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
18 years of age; universal
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
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%
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
none
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
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)
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
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
bai (native meeting house); national colors: blue, yellow
name: "Belau rekid" (Our Palau)
lyrics/music: multiple/Ymesei O. EZEKIEL
note: adopted 1980
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.
$264 million (2017 est.)
$274.2 million (2016 est.)
$274.1 million (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 217
$292 million (2017 est.)
-3.7% (2017 est.)
0% (2016 est.)
10.1% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 215
$14,700 (2017 est.)
$15,200 (2016 est.)
$15,200 (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 115
48.7% of GDP (2016 est.)
50.1% of GDP (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
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.)
agriculture: 3% (2016 est.)
industry: 19% (2016 est.)
services: 78% (2016 est.)
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
tourism, fishing, subsistence agriculture
NA
11,610 (2016)
country comparison to the world: 216
agriculture: 1.2%
industry: 12.4%
services: 86.4% (2016)
1.7% (2015 est.)
4.1% (2012)
country comparison to the world: 15
24.9%NA (2006)
lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
revenues: 193 million (2012 est.)
expenditures: 167.3 million (2012 est.)
66.1% (of GDP) (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
8.8% (of GDP) (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
24.1% of GDP (2016 est.)
21.6% of GDP (2015)
country comparison to the world: 179
1 October - 30 September
0.9% (2017 est.)
-1% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
NA
-$53 million (2017 est.)
-$36 million (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
$23.17 billion (2017 est.)
$14.8 million (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Japan 51.3%, US 15.8%, India 13.8%, Guam 8% (2017)
shellfish, tuna, other fish (many species)
$4.715 billion (2018 est.)
$4.079 billion (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
machinery and equipment, fuels, metals; foodstuffs
US 33.4%, Guam 15.8%, Japan 15.7%, China 13.5%, South Korea 5.3% (2017)
$0 (31 December 2017 est.)
$580.9 million (31 December 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
$18.38 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$16.47 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
(31 December 2009 est.)
the US dollar is used
electrification - total population: 99.3% (2016)
electrification - urban areas: 99.6% (2016)
electrification - rural areas: 97.2% (2016)
total subscriptions: 7,204
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 34 (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
total subscriptions: 24,000
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 112 (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
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)
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)
.pw
total: 7,650
percent of population: 36% (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 211
no regular military forces; the Ministry of Justice includes divisions/bureaus for public security, police functions, and maritime law enforcement. (2019)
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)
number of registered air carriers: 1 (2015)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 1 (2015)
3 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 196
total: 1 (2017)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2017)
total: 2 (2013)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2013)
total: 125 km (2018)
paved: 89 km (2018)
unpaved: 36 km (2018)
country comparison to the world: 205
major seaport(s): Koror
maritime delineation negotiations continue with Philippines, Indonesia