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.TipVisit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.Definitions and Notes
Geography
Location
Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines
Geographic coordinates
7 30 N, 134 30 E
Map references
Oceania
Area
total : 459 sq km
land: 459 sq km
water: 0 sq km
comparison ranking: total 197
Area – comparative
slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, D.C.
Area comparison map:
Land boundaries
total: 0 km
Coastline
1,519 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate
tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November
Terrain
varying topography from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs
Elevation
highest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Natural resources
forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals
Land use
agricultural land: 9.3% (2022 est.)
arable land: 0.7% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 4.3% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 4.3% (2022 est.)
forest: 90.4% (2022 est.)
other: 0.3% (2022 est.)
Irrigated land
0 sq km (2022)
Population distribution
most of the population is located on the southern end of the main island of Babelthuap
Natural hazards
typhoons (June to December)
Geography – note
westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of six island groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes world-famous Rock Islands
People and Society
Population
total: 21,864 (2024 est.)
male: 11,235
female: 10,629
comparison rankings: total 218; female 218; male 218
Nationality
noun: Palauan(s)
adjective: Palauan
Ethnic groups
Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 70.6%, Carolinian 1.2%, Asian 26.5%, other 1.7% (2020 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
Religions
Roman Catholic 46.9%, Protestant 30.9% (Evangelical 24.6%, Seventh Day Adventist 5%, other Protestant 1.4%), Modekngei 5.1% (indigenous to Palau), Muslim 4.9%, other 12.3% (2020 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 17.5% (male 1,976/female 1,849)
15-64 years: 71.3% (male 8,647/female 6,935)
65 years and over: 11.2% (2024 est.) (male 612/female 1,845)
2024 population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 40.3 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 24.5 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 15.8 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 6.3 (2024 est.)
Median age
total: 35.3 years (2024 est.)
male: 34.1 years
female: 37.4 years
comparison ranking: total 99
Population growth rate
0.38% (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 162
Birth rate
11.6 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 157
Death rate
8.4 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 77
Net migration rate
0.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 71
Population distribution
most of the population is located on the southern end of the main island of Babelthuap
Urbanization
urban population: 82.4% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 1.59% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas – population
277 NGERULMUD (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.25 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.33 male(s)/female
total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Infant mortality rate
total: 10.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 12.7 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.8 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 126
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 75.2 years (2024 est.)
male: 72 years
female: 78.5 years
comparison ranking: total population 131
Total fertility rate
1.7 children born/woman (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 166
Gross reproduction rate
0.83 (2024 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
NA
Drinking water source
improved:
urban: 99.6% of population
rural: 99.8% of population
total: 99.7% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0.4% of population
rural: 0.2% of population
total: 0.3% of population (2020 est.)
Health expenditure
16.4% of GDP (2021)
9.5% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
1.81 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Sanitation facility access
improved:
urban: 99.8% of population
rural: 99% of population
total: 99.6% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0.2% of population
rural: 1% of population
total: 0.4% of population (2020 est.)
Obesity – adult prevalence rate
55.3% (2016)
comparison ranking: 3
Tobacco use
total: 16.3% (2025 est.)
male: 25.2% (2025 est.)
female: 6.8% (2025 est.)
comparison ranking: total 96
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
45.6% (2023 est.)
Education expenditure
3.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
9.8% national budget (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 131
Literacy
total population: 97% (2015 est.)
male: 97% (2015 est.)
female: 96% (2015 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 17 years
male: 16 years
female: 17 years (2013)
Environment
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; rising sea level; coral bleaching; drought
Environment – international 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
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Climate
tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November
Land use
agricultural land: 9.3% (2022 est.)
arable land: 0.7% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 4.3% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 4.3% (2022 est.)
forest: 90.4% (2022 est.)
other: 0.3% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 82.4% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 1.59% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 7.82 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 0.22 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 0.06 megatons (2020 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 9,427 tons (2016 est.)
Total renewable water resources
0 cubic meters (2017 est.)
Government
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”
Government type
presidential republic in free association with the US
Capital
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 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
Administrative divisions
16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatohobei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol
Legal system
mixed system of civil, common, and customary law
Constitution
history: ratified 9 July 1980, effective 1 January 1981
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
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
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
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: President Surangel WHIPPS, Jr. (since 21 January 2021)
head of government: President Surangel WHIPPS, Jr. (since 21 January 2021)
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
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)
most recent election date: 5 November 2024
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%
expected date of next election: November 2028
note: the president is both chief of state and head of government
Legislative branch
legislature name: National Congress (Olbiil Era Kelulau)
legislative structure: bicameral
Legislative branch – lower chamber
chamber name: House of Delegates
number of seats: 16 (all directly elected)
electoral system: plurality/majority
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 4 years
most recent election date: 11/5/2024
percentage of women in chamber: 25%
expected date of next election: November 2028
Legislative branch – upper chamber
chamber name: Senate
number of seats: 15 (all directly elected)
electoral system: plurality/majority
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 4 years
most recent election date: 11/5/2024
percentage of women in chamber: 13.3%
expected date of next election: November 2028
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)
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
Political parties
none
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Hersey KYOTA (since 12 November 1997)
chancery: 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20006
telephone: [1] (202) 349-8598
FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281
email address and website:
[email protected]
https://www.palauembassy.org/
consulate(s): Tamuning (Guam)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Joel EHRENDREICH (since 29 September 2023)
embassy: Omsangel/Beklelachieb, Airai 96940
mailing address: 4260 Koror Place, Washington, DC 20521-4260
telephone: [680] 587-2920
FAX: [680] 587-2911
email address and website:
[email protected]
https://pw.usembassy.gov/
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
Independence
1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday
Constitution Day, 9 July (1981), day of a national referendum to pass the new constitution; Independence Day, 1 October (1994)
Flag description
light blue with a large yellow disk shifted slightly to the hoist side; blue stands for the ocean, and the disk for the moon, which is considered a symbol of peace, love, and tranquility
National symbol(s)
bai (native meeting house)
National color(s)
blue, yellow
National anthem
name: “Belau rekid” (Our Palau)
lyrics/music: multiple/Ymesei O. EZEKIEL
note: adopted 1980
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 1 (mixed)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Rock Islands Southern Lagoon
Economy
Economic overview
high-income Pacific island economy; environmentally fragile; subsistence agriculture and fishing industries; US aid reliance; rebounding post-pandemic tourism industry and services sector; very high living standard and low unemployment
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$280.025 million (2023 est.)
$274.866 million (2022 est.)
$278.538 million (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 216
Real GDP growth rate
1.88% (2023 est.)
-1.32% (2022 est.)
-14.16% (2021 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 147
Real GDP per capita
$15,800 (2023 est.)
$15,500 (2022 est.)
$15,700 (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 120
GDP (official exchange rate)
$281.849 million (2023 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
2.2% (2024 est.)
12.8% (2023 est.)
12.4% (2022 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
comparison ranking: 68
GDP – composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 3% (2023 est.)
industry: 9.9% (2023 est.)
services: 76.7% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
comparison rankings: services 21; industry 194; agriculture 138
GDP – composition, by end use
household consumption: 77.8% (2022 est.)
government consumption: 36.3% (2022 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 36.6% (2022 est.)
investment in inventories: 1.8% (2022 est.)
exports of goods and services: 13.5% (2022 est.)
imports of goods and services: -74.3% (2022 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
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
Industries
tourism, fishing, subsistence agriculture
Industrial production growth rate
-19.49% (2023 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 215
Labor force
11,610 (2016)
comparison ranking: 197
Remittances
0.69% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.76% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.8% of GDP (2021 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget
revenues: $173.256 million (2019 est.)
expenditures: $175.508 million (2019 est.)
note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt
85.2% of GDP (2019 est.)
note: central government debt as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 32
Taxes and other revenues
18.1% (of GDP) (2020 est.)
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 102
Current account balance
-$135.428 million (2022 est.)
-$115.739 million (2021 est.)
-$115.61 million (2020 est.)
note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
comparison ranking: 102
Exports
$24.48 million (2022 est.)
$10.566 million (2021 est.)
$52.897 million (2020 est.)
note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 215
Exports – partners
India 41%, Turkey 26%, Taiwan 10%, USA 9%, Japan 5% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports – commodities
ships, refined petroleum (2023)
note: top export commodities based on value in dollars over $500,000
Imports
$216.681 million (2022 est.)
$169.938 million (2021 est.)
$207.224 million (2020 est.)
note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 212
Imports – partners
Italy 32%, China 25%, USA 11%, Turkey 10%, Japan 6% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports – commodities
ships, refined petroleum, additive manufacturing machines, cars, plastic products (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$580.9 million (2015 est.)
comparison ranking: 164
Exchange rates
the US dollar is used
Energy
Electricity access
electrification – total population: 100% (2022 est.)
electrification – urban areas: 99.9%
electrification – rural areas: 100%
Communications
Telephones – fixed lines
total subscriptions: 8,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 45 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 191
Telephones – mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 24,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 133 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 214
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)
Internet country code
.pw
Internet users
percent of population: 27% (2004 est.)
Broadband – fixed subscriptions
total: 1,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total 204
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
T8
Airports
3 (2025)
comparison ranking: 188
Merchant marine
total: 427 (2023)
by type: bulk carrier 49, container ship 8, general cargo 200, oil tanker 52, other 118
comparison ranking: total 47
Ports
total ports: 1 (2024)
large: 0
medium: 0
small: 0
very small: 1
ports with oil terminals: 1
key ports: Malakal Harbor
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)
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 (2024)
