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.

Geographic coordinates: 7 30 N, 134 30 E

Map reference: Oceania

Area
Total: 459 km²
Land: 459 km²
Water: 0 km²
Rank: 197
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
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Contiguous zone: 24 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
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% (2011 est.)
Forest: 87.6% (2011 est.)
Other: 1.6% (2011 est.)

Irrigated land: 0 km² (2012)

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

Population
Distribution: most of the population is located on the southern end of the main island of Babelthuap: 21,685 (July 2020 est.)
Rank: 218
Growth rate: 0.39% (2020 est.)
Growth rate rank: 162
Below poverty line: 24.9%
Below poverty line note: NA (2006)

Nationality
Noun: Palauan(s)
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% (2015 est.)
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.)

Age structure
0-14 years: 18.68% (male 2,090/female 1961)
15-24 years: 15.86% (male 1723/female 1716)
25-54 years: 45.33% (male 6,026/female 3,804)
55-64 years: 10.68% (male 853/female 1463)
65 years and over: 9.45% (male 501/female 1548) (2020 est.)

Median age
Total: 33.9 years
Male: 32.9 years
Female: 35.9 years (2020 est.)
Rank: 94

Population growth rate: 0.39% (2020 est.)
Rank: 162

Birth rate: 11.3 births/1000 population (2020 est.)
Rank: 173

Death rate: 8.3 deaths/1000 population (2020 est.)
Rank: 80

Net migration rate: 0.9 migrant(s)/1000 population (2020 est.)
Rank: 61

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

Urbanization
Urban population: 81% of total population
Note: (2015-20 est.)
Rate of urbanization: 1.77% annual rate of change

Major urban areas
Population: 277 NGERULMUD (capital) (2018)

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

Sex ratio
At birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.58 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.58 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.32 male(s)/female
Total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2020 est.)

Infant mortality rate
Total: 9.8 deaths/1000 live births
Male: 11.2 deaths/1000 live births
Female: 8.3 deaths/1000 live births (2020 est.)
Rank: 132

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 74.1 years
Male: 70.9 years
Female: 77.5 years (2020 est.)
Rank: 136

Total fertility rate: 1.7 children born/woman (2020 est.)
Rank: 172

Drinking water source
Urban: 0% of population
Rural: 0% of population
Total: 0% of population (2017 est.)

Current health expenditure: 12% (2017)

Physicians density: 1.42 physicians/1000 population (2014)

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

Sanitation facility access
Urban: 0% of population
Rural: 0% of population
Total: 0% of population (2017 est.)

Hivaids
Adult prevalence rate note: NA
People living with hivaids note: NA
Deaths note: NA

Major infectious diseases
Degree of risk: high (2020)
Food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
Vectorborne diseases: malaria

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

Education expenditures
Note: NA

Literacy
Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 96.6%
Male: 96.8%
Female: 96.3% (2015)

School life expectancy primary to tertiary education
Total: 17 years
Male: 16 years
Female: 17 years (2013)

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 Palauan meaning is 'place of fermented 'mud'' ('mud' being the native name for the keyhole angelfish); the site of the new capitol (established in 2006) had been a large hill overlooking the ocean, Ngerulmud, on which women would communally gather to offer fermented angelfish to the godsnote: Ngerulmud, on Babeldaob Island, is the smallest national capital on earth by population, with only a few hundred people; the name is pronounced en-jer-al-mud; Koror, on Koror Island, with over 11,000 residents is by far the largest settlement in Palau; it served as the country's capital from independence in 1994 to 2006

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 (1981), day of a national referendum to pass the new constitution; Independence Day, 1 October (1994)

Constitution
History: ratified 9 July 1980, effective 1 January 1981
Amendments: 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; amended 1992, 2004, 2008

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 (since 17 January 2013); Vice President Raynold OILUCH (since 19 January 2017); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
Head of government: President Tommy REMENGESAU (since 17 January 2013); Vice President Raynold OILUCH (since 19 January 2017)
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 (eligible for a second term); election last held on 3 November 2020 (next to be held on November 2024)
Election results: Surangel WHIPPS, Jr. elected president; percent of vote - Surangel WHIPPS, Jr.(independent) 57.4%, Raynold OILUCH (independent) 42.6%

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

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 (since 12 November 1997)
In the us chancery: 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20,036
In the us telephone: [1] (202) 452-6,814
In the us FAX: [1] (202) 452-6,281
In the us consulate: Tamuning (Guam)
From the us chief of mission: Ambassador Amy HYATT (since 9 March 2015)
From the us telephone: [680] 587-2,920
From the us embassy: Omsangel/Beklelachieb, Airai 96,940
From the us mailing address: P. O. Box 6,028, Koror, Republic of Palau 96,940
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 (Our Palau)
Lyricsmusic: multiple/Ymesei O. EZEKIEL
Note: adopted 1980

Real gdp purchasing power parity
Real:
Real note: data are in 2017 dollars

Real gdp growth rate:
Rank: 215

Real gdp per capita:
Note: data are in 2017 dollars
Rank: 97

Gross national saving:
Rank: 2

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.)

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
Note: NA

Labor force: 11,610 (2016)
Rank: 215
By occupation agriculture: 1.2%
By occupation industry: 12.4%
By occupation services: 86.4% (2016)

Unemployment rate:
Rank: 16

Population below poverty line: 24.9%
Note: NA (2006)

Budget
Revenues: 193 million (2012 est.)
Expenditures: 167.3 million (2012 est.)
Surplus or deficit: 8.8% (of GDP) (2016 est.)
Surplus or deficit rank: 3

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

Public debt:
Rank: 179

Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September

Inflation rate consumer prices:
Rank: 61

Current account balance:
Rank: 80

Exports:
Rank: 76
Partners: Japan 51.3%, US 15.8%, India 13.8%, Guam 8% (2017)
Commodities: shellfish, tuna, other fish (many species)

Imports:
Rank: 142
Commodities: machinery and equipment, fuels, metals; foodstuffs
Partners: US 33.4%, Guam 15.8%, Japan 15.7%, China 13.5%, South Korea 5.3% (2017)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Rank: 193

Debt external:
Rank: 94

Exchange rates: the US dollar is used

Electricity
Access electrification total population: 100% (2018)

Telephones
Fixed lines total subscriptions: 8,808
Fixed lines subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 40.78 (2019 est.)
Fixed lines rank: 191
Mobile cellular total subscriptions: 29,033
Mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 134.41 (2019 est.)
Mobile cellular rank: 210

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
Users total: 7,650
Users percent of population: 36% (July 2016 est.)
Users rank: 214

Military and security forces: no regular military forces; the Ministry of Justice includes divisions/bureaus for public security, police functions, and maritime law enforcement. (2019)

National air transport system
Number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020)
Inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 1

Airports: 3 (2013)
Rank: 195
With paved runways total: 1 (2019)
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 1
With unpaved runways total: 2 (2013)
With unpaved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 2 (2013)

Roadways
Total: 125 km (2018)
Paved: 89 km (2018)
Unpaved: 36 km (2018)
Rank: 211

Merchant marine
Total: 203
By type: bulk carrier 9, container ship 11, general cargo 88, oil tanker 31, other 64 (2019)
Rank: 66

Ports and terminals
Major seaport: Koror

Disputes international: maritime delineation negotiations continue with Philippines, Indonesia