Palau

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) (2017)

Internet country code

.pw

Internet users

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

Telephone system

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

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

Telephones - mobile cellular

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

Agriculture - 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

Budget

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

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

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

Current account balance

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

Debt - external

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

Economy - overview

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

the US dollar is used

Exports

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

Exports - commodities

shellfish, tuna, other fish (many species)

Exports - partners

Greece 82.4%, US 6.9% (2016)

Fiscal year

1 October - 30 September

GDP (official exchange rate)

$310 million (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$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

household consumption: NA% 60.6% | government consumption: NA% 27.2% | investment in fixed capital: NA% 22.6% | investment in inventories: 2% | exports of goods and services: 55.1% | imports of goods and services: -67.5% (2016 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

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

GDP - per capita (PPP)

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

GDP - real growth rate

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

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

Imports

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

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, fuels, metals; foodstuffs

Imports - partners

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

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

tourism, fishing, subsistence agriculture

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

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

Labor force

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

Labor force - by occupation

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

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

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

Taxes and other revenues

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

Unemployment rate

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

Electricity access

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

Area

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

Area - comparative

slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November

Coastline

1,519 km

Elevation

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

Environment - current issues

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

Environment - international agreements

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

7 30 N, 134 30 E

Geography - note

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

0 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

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

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

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

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

Natural hazards

typhoons (June to December)

Natural resources

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

Population - distribution

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

Terrain

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

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

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

Citizenship

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

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

Country name

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

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

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

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 description

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

presidential republic in free association with the US

Independence

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

International law organization participation

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

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

Judicial branch

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

mixed legal system of civil, common, and customary law

Legislative branch

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

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

National holiday

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

National symbol(s)

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

Political parties and leaders

none

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

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 - note

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 branches

no regular military forces; Palau National Police (2009)

Age structure

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

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

Death rate

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

Drinking water source

urban: 97% of population | rural: 86% of population | total: 95.3% of population | urban: 3% of population | rural: 14% of population | total: 4.7% of population (2011 est.)

Ethnic groups

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

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Health expenditures

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

Hospital bed density

4.8 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

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

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

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

Literacy

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

Major urban areas - population

MELEKEOK (capital) 299 (2012)

Median age

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

Nationality

noun: Palauan(s) | adjective: Palauan

Net migration rate

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

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

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

Physicians density

1.42 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

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

Population distribution

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

Population growth rate

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

Religions

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

urban: 100% of population | rural: 100% of population | total: 100% of population | urban: 0% of population | rural: 0% of population | total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

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

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female | 0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female | 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female | 25-54 years: 1.57 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 0.54 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.37 male(s)/female | total population: 1.09 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

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

Urbanization

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

Disputes - international

maritime delineation negotiations continue with Philippines, Indonesia

Airports

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

Airports - with paved runways

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

Airports - with unpaved runways

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

National air transport system

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

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Koror