Map of Palau | Geography | People | Government | Economy | Energy | Communication
Military | Transportation | Transnational Issues | Year: Guide1989199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025 | More stats

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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.


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Location: Oceania group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean southeast of the Philippines

Geographic coordinates: 7 30 N 134 30 E

Map reference: Oceania

Area
Total: 459 km²
Land: 459 km²
Water: 0 km²
Rank: 198
Comparative: slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 1519 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
Mean elevation: NA
Elevation extremes: 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
Agricultural land: 10.8%
Forest: 87.6%
Other: 1.6%

Irrigated land: 0 km² (2012)

Major rivers

Major watersheds area km²

Total water withdrawal

Total renewable water resources

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 War II battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous Rock Islands


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Population
Distribution: most of the population is located on the southern end of the main island of Babelthuap: 21,431 (July 2017 est.)
Rank: 219
Growth rate: 0.39% (2017 est.)
Growth rate rank: 166
Below poverty line: NA%

Nationality
Noun: Palauan
Adjective: Palauan

Ethnic groups: Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 73% Carolinian 2% Asian 21.7% caucasian 1.2% other 2.1% (2015 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%
Note: Sonsoralese is official in Sonsoral; Tobian is official in Tobi; Angaur and Japanese are official in Angaur

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.)

Demographic profile

Age structure
0-14 years: 19.69%
15-24 years: 16.68%
25-54 years: 45.89%
55-64 years: 9.65%
65 years and over: 8.08% (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

Median age
Total: 33.4 years
Male: 32.7 years
Female: 35 years
Rank: 88

Population growth rate: 0.39% (2017 est.)
Rank: 166

Birth rate: 11.3 births/1000 population (2017 est.)
Rank: 174

Death rate: 8.1 deaths/1000 population (2017 est.)
Rank: 86

Net migration rate: 0.8 migrant(s)/1000 population (2017 est.)
Rank: 61

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

Urbanization
Urban population: 88.2% of total population
Rate of urbanization: 1.6% annual rate of change

Major urban areas
Population: MELEKEOK (capital) 299 (2012)

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
International agreements party to: Biodiversity Climate Change Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Desertification Law of the Sea Ozone Layer Protection Wetlands Whaling
International agreements signed but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Air pollutants

Sex ratio
At birth: 1.06 male/female
0-14 years: 1.07 male/female
15-24 years: 1 male/female
25-54 years: 1.57 male/female
55-64 years: 0.54 male/female
65 years and over: 0.37 male/female
Total population: 1.09 male/female

Mothers mean age at first birth

Maternal mortality ratio

Infant mortality rate
Total: 10.6 deaths/1000 live births
Male: 12.1 deaths/1000 live births
Female: 9 deaths/1000 live births
Rank: 133

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 73.4 years
Male: 70.2 years
Female: 76.8 years
Rank: 135

Total fertility rate: 1.71 children born/woman (2017 est.)
Rank: 170

Contraceptive prevalence rate

Drinking water source:

Current health expenditure

Physicians density: 1.42 physicians/1000 population (2010)

Hospital bed density: 4.8 beds/1000 population (2010)

Sanitation facility access:

Hiv/Aids
Adult prevalence rate: NA
People living with hivaids: NA
Deaths: NA

Major infectious diseases

Obesity adult prevalence rate: 55.3% (2016)
Rank: 3

Alcohol consumption

Tobacco use

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

Education expenditures

Literacy
Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 96.6%
Male: 96.8%
Female: 86%

School life expectancy primary to tertiary education
Total: 17 years
Male: 16 years
Female: 18 years

Youth unemployment


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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

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

Dependent areas

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)

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

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

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 Tommy REMENGESAU ; 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 ; 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
Electionsappointments: president and vice president directly elected on separate ballots by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year 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 51.3% Surangel WHIPPS Jr.(independent) 48.7%; Antonio BELLS elected vice president

Legislative branch
Description: bicameral National Congress or Olbiil Era Kelulau consists of the Senate 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 ; 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

Judicial branch
Highest court: Supreme Court
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

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
In the us chancery: 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Suite 300 Washington DC 20,036
In the us telephone: [1] 452-6,814
In the us FAX: [1] 452-6,281
In the us consulate: Tamuning
From the us chief of mission: Ambassador Amy HYATT
From the us embassy: Koror
From the us mailing address: P. O. Box 6,028 Koror Republic of Palau 96,940
From the us telephone: [680] 587-2,920
From the us FAX: [680] 587-2,911

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

National anthem
Name: 'Belau rekid'
Lyrics and music: multiple/Ymesei O. EZEKIEL
Note: adopted 1980

National heritage


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Economy overview:

Real gdp purchasing power parity:
Note: data are in 2016 dollars
Rank: 217

Real gdp growth rate:
Rank: 188

Real gdp per capita:
Note: data are in 2016 dollars
Rank: 105

Gross national saving

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%

Gdp composition by sector of origin
Agriculture: 3%
Industry: 19%
Services: 78%

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

Industries: tourism fishing subsistence agriculture

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Labor force: 11,610 (2016)
Rank: 217
By occupation agriculture: 1.2%
By occupation industry: 12.4%
By occupation services: 86.4%

Unemployment rate:
Rank: 12

Youth unemployment

Population below poverty line: NA%

Gini index

Household income or consumption by percentage share
Lowest 10: NA%
Highest 10: NA%

Distribution of family income gini index

Budget
Revenues: $204.9 million
Expenditures: $177.6 million
Surplus or deficit: 8.8% of GDP (2016 est.)
Surplus or deficit rank: 4

Taxes and other revenues: 66.1% of GDP (2016 est.)
Rank: 6

Public debt:
Rank: 175

Revenue

Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September

Inflation rate consumer prices:
Rank: 14

Central bank discount rate

Commercial bank prime lending rate

Stock of narrow money

Stock of broad money

Stock of domestic credit

Market value of publicly traded shares: $N/A

Current account balance:
Rank: 60

Exports:
Rank: 193
Commodities: shellfish tuna other fish (many species)
Partners: Greece 82.4% US 6.9% (2016)

Imports:
Rank: 210
Commodities: machinery and equipment fuels metals; foodstuffs
Partners: US 24.6% Japan 19.8% China 14.3% Guam 14.2% Philippines 4.4% (2016)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $580.9 million (31 December 2015 est.)
Rank: 139

Debt external:
Rank: 94

Stock of direct foreign investment at home

Stock of direct foreign investment abroad

Exchange rates: the US dollar is used


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Electricity
Access population without electricity: 8,752
Access electrification total population: 59%
Access electrification urban areas: 62%
Access electrification rural areas: 45%

Coal

Petroleum

Crude oil

Refined petroleum

Natural gas

Carbon dioxide emissions

Energy consumption per capita


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Telephones
Fixed lines total subscriptions: 7,204
Fixed lines subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 34
Fixed lines rank: 203
Mobile cellular total: 24,000
Mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 112
Mobile cellular rank: 210

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 (2016)

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
Users total: 7,650
Users percent of population: 36.0%

Broadband fixed subscriptions


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Military expenditures

Military and security forces

Military service age and obligation

Space program

Terrorist groups


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National air transport system
Number of registered air carriers: 1
Inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 1

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports: 3 (2013)
Rank: 194
With paved runways total: 1
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 1
With unpaved runways total: 2
With unpaved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 2

Heliports

Pipelines

Railways

Roadways

Waterways

Merchant marine

Ports and terminals
Major seaport: Koror


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Disputes international: maritime delineation negotiations continue with Philippines Indonesia

Refugees and internally displaced persons

Illicit drugs
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