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 (July 2016 est.) | percent of population: 36% (July 2016 est.)

Telephone system

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

Telephones - fixed lines

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

Telephones - mobile cellular

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

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

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

8.8% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Current account balance

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

Debt - external

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

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

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

Exports - commodities

shellfish, tuna, other fish (many species)

Exports - partners

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

Fiscal year

1 October - 30 September

GDP (official exchange rate)

$292 million (2017 est.) (2017 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$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

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

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

GDP - per capita (PPP)

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

GDP - real growth rate

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

Gross national saving

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

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA | highest 10%: NA

Imports

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

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, fuels, metals; foodstuffs

Imports - partners

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

Industrial production growth rate

NA

Industries

tourism, fishing, subsistence agriculture

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

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

Labor force

11,610 (2016)

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

24.9% NA (2006)

Public debt

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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

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

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

(31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

66.1% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

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

Electricity access

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

Area

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

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

0 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean | 242 highest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus

Environment - current issues

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

Environment - international agreements

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

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% (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

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

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

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

history: ratified 9 July 1980, effective 1 January 1981 (2017) | amendments: proposed by a constitutional convention (held at least once every 15 years with voter approval), by public petition of at least 25 percent 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

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 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

mixed legal system of civil, common, and customary law

Legislative branch

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

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 constitutionIndependence Day, 1 October (1994)

National symbol(s)

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

Political parties and leaders

none

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: 19.37% (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

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

Death rate

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

Drinking water source

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.)

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)

Hospital bed density

4.8 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

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

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

Life expectancy at birth

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

Literacy

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

Major urban areas - population

299 MELEKEOK (capital) (2018)

Median age

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

Nationality

noun: Palauan(s) | adjective: Palauan

Net migration rate

0.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

55.3% (2016)

Physicians density

1.19 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Population

21,516 (July 2018 est.)

Population distribution

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

Population growth rate

0.4% (2018 est.)

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

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.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

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

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 25-54 years: 1.57 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 55-64 years: 0.54 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | 65 years and over: 0.37 male(s)/female (2017 est.) | total population: 1.09 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.7 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 79.9% of total population (2018) | rate of urbanization: 1.77% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Disputes - international

maritime delineation negotiations continue with Philippines, Indonesia

Airports

3 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

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

Airports - with unpaved runways

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

National air transport system

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

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Koror