Page last updated on January 28, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines
Geographic coordinates:
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7 30 N, 134 30 E
Map references:
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Oceania
Area:
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total: 459 sq km
country comparison to the world: 198
land: 459 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
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slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
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0 km
Coastline:
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1,519 km
Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November
Terrain:
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varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs
Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m
Natural resources:
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forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals
Land use:
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arable land: 2.17%
permanent crops: 4.35%
other: 93.48% (2011)
Irrigated land:
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NA
Natural hazards:
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typhoons (June to December)
Environment - current issues:
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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:
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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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Palauan(s)
adjective: Palauan
Ethnic groups:
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Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 69.9%, Filipino 15.3%, Chinese 4.9%, other Asian 2.4%, white 1.9%, Carolinian 1.4%, other Micronesian 1.1%, other or unspecified 3.2% (2000 census)
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Palauan (official on most islands) 64.7%, Filipino 13.5%, English (official) 9.4%, Chinese 5.7%, Carolinian 1.5%, Japanese 1.5%, other Asian 2.3%, other languages 1.5% (2000 census)
note: Sonsoral (Sonsoralese and English are official), Tobi (Tobi and English are official), and Angaur (Angaur, Japanese, and English are official)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Roman Catholic 41.6%, Protestant 23.3%, Modekngei 8.8% (indigenous to Palau), Seventh-Day Adventist 5.3%, Jehovah's Witnesses 0.9%, Mormon 0.6%, other 3.1%, unspecified or none 16.4% (2000 census)
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
21,108 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 220
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 20.7% (male 2,250/female 2,110)
15-24 years: 17.6% (male 1,849/female 1,875)
25-54 years: 46.6% (male 5,981/female 3,854)
55-64 years: 8.3% (male 615/female 1,129)
65 years and over: 6.8% (male 407/female 1,038) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 32.9 years
male: 32.5 years
female: 33.9 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.37% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
Birth rate:
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10.9 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Death rate:
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7.86 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
Urbanization:
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urban population: 83% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Sex ratio:
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at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.55 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.55 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.4 male(s)/female
total population: 1.12 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 11.77 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 132
male: 13.35 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 10.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 72.33 years
country comparison to the world: 133
male: 69.17 years
female: 75.68 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.72 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
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32.8%
note: percent of women aged 15-44 (2003)
Health expenditures:
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10.6% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 18
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.38 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.8 beds/1,000 population (2010)
Drinking water source:
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improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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NA
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
48.9% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 7
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10.3% of GDP (2002)
country comparison to the world: 5
Literacy:
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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):
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total: 15 years
male: 14 years
female: 15 years (2001)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force on 1 October 1994
Capital:
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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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatohobei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)
Constitution:
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ratified 9 July 1980, effective 1 January 1981; amended 1992, 2004 (2011)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mixed legal system of civil, common, and customary law
International law organization participation:
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has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: President Tommy REMENGESAU (since 17 January 2013); Vice President Antonio BELLS (since 17 January 2013); note - the president is both the 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
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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: percent of vote - Tommy REMENGESAU 58%, Johnson TORIBIONG 42%
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Belau rekid" (Our Palau)
lyrics/music: multiple/Ymesei O. EZEKIEL
note: adopted 1980
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$221 million (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 218
note: GDP estimate includes US subsidy
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$221 million (2011 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.3% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$10,500 (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 3.2%
industry: 20%
services: 76.8% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; fish
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), construction, garment making
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9,777 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 217
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 20%
industry: NA%
services: NA% (1990)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.2% (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $89 million
expenditures: $94.3 million (2010 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
40.3% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-2.4% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 October - 30 September
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.7% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
Market value of publicly traded shares:
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$NA
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-20.8 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$12.3 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
Exports - commodities:
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shellfish, tuna, copra, garments
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$113.4 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
machinery and equipment, fuels, metals; foodstuffs
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$0 (FY99/00)
country comparison to the world: 202
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the US dollar is used
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7,300 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 205
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17,150 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 210
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.pw
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 231
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 194
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2013)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Koror
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
no regular military forces; Palau National Police (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 6,987 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 5,272
females age 16-49: 3,969 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 216
female: 222 (2010 est.)
Military - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)