Introduction
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.
Geography
Location
Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines
Geographic coordinates
7 30 N, 134 30 E
Area (sq km)
total: 459 sq km
land: 459 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative (sq km)
slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries (km)
0 km
Coastline (km)
1,519 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate
tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November
Terrain
varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs
Elevation extremes (m)
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m
Natural resources
forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals
Land use (%)
arable land: 2.17%
permanent crops: 4.35%
other: 93.48% (2011)
Irrigated land (sq km)
NA
Natural hazards
typhoons (June to December)
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
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
People and Society
Nationality
noun: Palauan(s)
adjective: Palauan
Ethnic groups (%)
Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 72.5%, Carolinian 1%, other Micronesian 2.4%, Filipino 16.3%, Chinese 1.6%, Vietnamese 1.6%, other Asian 3.4%, white 0.9%, other 0.3% (2005 est.)
Languages (%)
Palauan (official on most islands) 66.6%, Carolinian 0.7%, other Micronesian 0.7%, English (official) 15.5%, Filipino 10.8%, Chinese 1.8%, other Asian 2.6%, other 1.3%
note: Sonsoral (Sonsoralese and English are official), Tobi (Tobi and English are official), and Angaur (Angaur, Japanese, and English are official) (2005 est.)
Religions (%)
Roman Catholic 49.4%, Protestant 30.9% (includes Protestant (general) 23.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 5.3%, and other Protestant 2.5%), Modekngei 8.7% (indigenous to Palau), Jehovah's Witnesses 1.1%, other 8.8%, none or unspecified 1.1% (2005 est.)
Population
21,186 (July 2014 est.) evolution and prospects (1950-2100)
Age structure (%)
0-14 years: 20.5% (male 2,239/female 2,101)
15-24 years: 17.4% (male 1,835/female 1,855)
25-54 years: 46.4% (male 5,985/female 3,842)
55-64 years: 8.6% (male 642/female 1,188)
65 years and over: 6.8% (male 410/female 1,089) (2014 est.)
Median age (years)
total: 33 years
male: 32.5 years
female: 34.2 years (2014 est.)
Population growth rate (%)
0.37% (2014 est.)
Birth rate (births/1,000 population)
10.95 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)
Death rate (deaths/1,000 population)
7.93 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)
Net migration rate (migrant(s)/1,000 population)
0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)
Urbanization (%)
urban population: 84.2% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 1.67% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population
MELEKEOK (capital) 1,000 (2011)
Sex ratio (male(s)/female)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.56 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.4 male(s)/female
total population: 1.12 male(s)/female (2014 est.)
Infant mortality rate (deaths/1,000 live births)
total: 11.46 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 13.01 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 9.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)
Life expectancy at birth (years)
total population: 72.6 years
male: 69.43 years
female: 75.96 years (2014 est.)
Total fertility rate (children born/woman)
1.71 children born/woman (2014 est.)
Health expenditures (% of GDP)
10.6% of GDP (2011)
Physicians density (physicians/1,000 population)
1.38 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
Hospital bed density (beds/1,000 population)
4.8 beds/1,000 population (2010)
Drinking water source (% of population)
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.)
Sanitation facility access (% of population)
improved: urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved: urban: 0% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2012 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate (%)
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths
NA
Obesity - adult prevalence rate (%)
48.9% (2008)
Education expenditures (% of GDP)
7.3% of GDP (2002)
Literacy (%)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 92%
male: 93%
female: 90% (1980 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) (years)
total: 14 years
male: 13 years
female: 15 years (2000)
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
Government type
constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force on 1 October 1994
Capital
name: Melekeok
geographic coordinates: 7 29 N, 134 38 E
time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions
16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatohobei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol
Independence
1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday
Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)
Constitution
ratified 9 July 1980, effective 1 January 1981; amended 1992, 2004 (2011)
Legal system
mixed legal system of civil, common, and customary law
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
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: NA
elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held on 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2016)
election results: Tommy REMENGESAU elected president; percent of vote - Tommy REMENGESAU 58%, Johnson TORIBIONG 42%
Legislative branch
bicameral National Congress or Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) consists of the Senate (9 seats; members elected by popular vote on a population basis to serve four-year terms) and the House of Delegates (16 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held on 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2016); House of Delegates - last held on 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2016)
election results: Senate - percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9; House of Delegates - percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 16
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
Political parties and leaders
none
Political pressure groups and leaders
NA
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
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Hersey KYOTA (since 12 November 1997)
chancery: 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006
telephone: [1] (202) 452-6814
FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281
consulate(s): Tamuning (Guam)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Helen P. REED-ROWE (since 27 September 2013)
embassy: Koror (no street address)
mailing address: P. O. Box 6028, Koror, Republic of Palau 96940
telephone: [680] 587-2920
FAX: [680] 587-2911
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
National anthem
name: "Belau rekid" (Our Palau)
lyrics/music: multiple/Ymesei O. EZEKIEL
note: adopted 1980
Economy
Economy - overview
The economy consists of tourism and other services such as trade, subsistence agriculture, and fishing. 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. The Compact 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. Business and leisure tourist arrivals numbered over 109,000 in 2011, for a 27% increase over 2010. The population enjoys a per capita income roughly double that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. 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.
GDP (purchasing power parity)
$245.5 million (2013 est.)
$237.2 million (2012 est.)
$223.2 million (2011 est.)
note: GDP estimate includes US subsidy
GDP (official exchange rate)
$221 million (2011 est.)
GDP - real growth rate (%)
3.5% (2013 est.)
6.3% (2012 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)
$10,500 (2011 est.)
$7,600 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin (%)
agriculture: 3.2%
industry: 20%
services: 76.8% (2012 est.)
Labor force
9,777 (2005)
Labor force - by occupation (%)
agriculture: 20%
industry: NA%
services: NA% (1990)
Unemployment rate (%)
4.2% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line (%)
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share (%)
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget
revenues: $89 million
expenditures: $94.3 million (2010 est.)
Taxes and other revenues (% of GDP)
40.3% of GDP (2010 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) (% of GDP)
-2.4% of GDP (2010 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) (%)
2.7% (2011 est.)
1.6% (2010 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares
$NA
Agriculture - products
coconuts, copra, cassava (manioc, tapioca), sweet potatoes; fish
Industries
tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), construction, garment making
Industrial production growth rate (%)
NA%
Current account balance
-$20.8 million (2010 est.)
$15.09 million (FY03/04)
Exports
$12.3 million (2010 est.)
$5.882 million (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities (%)
shellfish, tuna, copra, garments
Imports
$113.4 million (2010 est.)
$107.3 million (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities (%)
machinery and equipment, fuels, metals; foodstuffs
External debt ($)
$0 (FY99/00)
Exchange rates
Currency converter
the US dollar is used
Fiscal year
1 October - 30 September
Communications
Telephones - main lines in use
7,300 (2012)
Telephones - mobile cellular
17,150 (2012)
Telephone system
domestic: fixed-line and mobile-cellular services available with a combined subscribership of roughly 100 per 100 persons
international: country code - 680; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2009)
Broadcast media
no TV stations; a cable TV network covers the major islands and provides access to 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 with 1 government-owned (2009)
Internet country code
.pw
Internet hosts
4 (2012)
Transportation
Airports
3 (2013)
Airports - with paved runways
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2013)
Ports and terminals
major seaport(s): Koror
Military
Military branches
no regular military forces; Palau National Police (2009)
Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49: 6,987 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49: 5,272
females age 16-49: 3,969 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male: 216
female: 222 (2010 est.)
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)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
maritime delineation negotiations continue with Philippines, Indonesia
Largest cities of Palau
These are the 50 largest cities of Palau ordered based on their number of inhabitants.
| # | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Koror | 11,357 |