2012 Edition

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.

Area

459 sq km 459 sq km 0 sq km

total

459 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November

Coastline

1,519 km

Elevation extremes

Pacific Ocean 0 m Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m

highest point

Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

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

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected 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

Geographic coordinates

7 30 N, 134 30 E

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

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

8.7% 4.35% 86.95% (2005)

arable land

8.7%

other

86.95% (2005)

permanent crops

4.35%

Location

Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

3 nm 200 nm

exclusive fishing zone

200 nm

territorial sea

3 nm

Natural hazards

typhoons (June to December)

Natural resources

forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals

Terrain

varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs

Age structure

21% (male 2,281/ female 2,140) 72.3% (male 8,411/ female 6,803) 6.6% (male 402/ female 995) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

21% (male 2,281/ female 2,140)

15-64 years

72.3% (male 8,411/ female 6,803)

65 years and over

6.6% (male 402/ female 995) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

10.79 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Death rate

7.89 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

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)

Health expenditures

11.2% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

4.9 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

12.1 deaths/1,000 live births 13.7 deaths/1,000 live births 10.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

10.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

12.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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) Sonsoral (Sonsoralese and English are official), Tobi (Tobi and English are official), and Angaur (Angaur, Japanese, and English are official)

Life expectancy at birth

72.06 years 68.9 years 75.4 years (2012 est.)

female

75.4 years (2012 est.)

total population

72.06 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 92% 93% 90% (1980 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

90% (1980 est.)

male

93%

total population

92%

Median age

32.8 years 32.4 years 33.6 years (2012 est.)

female

33.6 years (2012 est.)

male

32.4 years

total

32.8 years

Nationality

Palauan(s) Palauan

adjective

Palauan

noun

Palauan(s)

Net migration rate

0.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Physicians density

1.3 physicians/1,000 population (2006)

Population

21,032 (July 2012 est.)

Population growth rate

0.361% (2012 est.)

Religions

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)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 92% of population rural: 52% of population total: 80% of population urban: 8% of population rural: 48% of population total: 20% of population

rural

48% of population

total

20% of population

urban

8% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

15 years 14 years 15 years (2001)

female

15 years (2001)

male

14 years

total

15 years

Sex ratio

1.06 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1.24 male(s)/female 0.4 male(s)/female 1.12 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.24 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.4 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

1.12 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.07 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.72 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Urbanization

83% of total population (2010) 1.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

83% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

Melekeok 7 29 N, 134 38 E UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

7 29 N, 134 38 E

name

Melekeok

time difference

UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

1 January 1981

Country name

Republic of Palau Palau Beluu er a Belau Belau Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Palau District

conventional long form

Republic of Palau

conventional short form

Palau

former

Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Palau District

local long form

Beluu er a Belau

local short form

Belau

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Helen P. REED-ROWE Koror (no street address) P. O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940 [680] 488-2920, 2990 [680] 488-2911

chief of mission

Ambassador Helen P. REED-ROWE

embassy

Koror (no street address)

FAX

[680] 488-2911

mailing address

P. O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940

telephone

[680] 488-2920, 2990

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Hersey KYOTA 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006 [1] (202) 452-6814 [1] (202) 452-6281 Tamuning (Guam)

chancery

1701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006

chief of mission

Ambassador Hersey KYOTA

consulate(s)

Tamuning (Guam)

FAX

[1] (202) 452-6281

telephone

[1] (202) 452-6814

Executive branch

President Tommy REMENGESAU (since 17 January 2013); Vice President Kerai MARIUR (since 15 January 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President Tommy REMENGESAU (since 17 January 2013); Vice President Kerai MARIUR (since 15 January 2009) NA 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) percent of vote - Tommy REMENGESAU 58%, Johnson TORIBIONG 42%

cabinet

NA

chief of state

President Tommy REMENGESAU (since 17 January 2013); Vice President Kerai MARIUR (since 15 January 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

election results

percent of vote - Tommy REMENGESAU 58%, Johnson TORIBIONG 42%

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)

head of government

President Tommy REMENGESAU (since 17 January 2013); Vice President Kerai MARIUR (since 15 January 2009)

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

Government type

constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force on 1 October 1994

Independence

1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

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

Judicial branch

Supreme Court; Court of Common Pleas; Land Court

Legal system

mixed legal system of civil, common, and customary law

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) Senate - last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012); House of Delegates - last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012) Senate - percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9; House of Delegates - percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 16

election results

Senate - percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9; House of Delegates - percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 16

elections

Senate - last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012); House of Delegates - last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012)

National anthem

"Belau rekid" (Our Palau) multiple/Ymesei O. EZEKIEL adopted 1980

lyrics/music

multiple/Ymesei O. EZEKIEL

name

"Belau rekid" (Our Palau)

National holiday

Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)

Political parties and leaders

none

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; fish

Budget

$89 million $94.3 million (2010 est.)

expenditures

$94.3 million (2010 est.)

revenues

$89 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.2% of GDP (2010 est.)

Current account balance

-$20.8 million (2010 est.) $15.09 million (FY03/04)

Debt - external

$0 (FY99/00)

Economy - overview

The economy consists primarily of tourism, subsistence agriculture, and fishing. The government is the major employer of the work force relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. The Compact of Free Association with the US, entered into after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October 1994, provided Palau with up to $700 million in US aid for the following 15 years in return for furnishing military facilities. Business and tourist arrivals numbered 85,000 in 2007. The population enjoys a per capita income roughly double that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. Long-run prospects for the key tourist sector have been greatly bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific, the rising prosperity of leading East Asian countries, and the willingness of foreigners to finance infrastructure development.

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used, 1 (2011)

Exports

$12.3 million (2010 est.) $5.882 million (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities

shellfish, tuna, copra, garments

Fiscal year

1 October - 30 September

GDP - composition by sector

3.2% 20% 76.8% (2009 est.)

agriculture

3.2%

industry

20%

services

76.8% (2009 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$8,100 (2008 est.) $7,600 (2005 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

5.5% (2005 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$164 million (2008)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$164 million (2008 est.) $124.5 million (2004 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars GDP estimate includes US subsidy

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$113.4 million (2010 est.) $107.3 million (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, fuels, metals; foodstuffs

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.7% (2011 est.) 1.6% (2010 est.)

Labor force

9,777 (2005)

Labor force - by occupation

20% (1990) (1990) (1990)

agriculture

20%

industry

(1990)

services

(1990) (1990)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

NA%

Taxes and other revenues

54.3% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

4.2% (2005 est.)

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)

Telephone system

NA fixed-line and mobile-cellular services available with a combined subscribership of roughly 100 per 100 persons country code - 680; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

domestic

fixed-line and mobile-cellular services available with a combined subscribership of roughly 100 per 100 persons

general assessment

NA

international

country code - 680; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

6,900 (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

15,400 (2011)

Airports

3 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2012)

total

1

Airports - with unpaved runways

2 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

2 (2012)

total

2

Ports and terminals

Koror

Manpower available for military service

6,987 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

6,987 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

5,272 3,969 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

3,969 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

5,272

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

222 (2010 est.)

female

222 (2010 est.)

male

216

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)

Military branches

no regular military forces; Palau National Police (2009)

Military expenditures

NA

Disputes - international

maritime delineation negotiations continue with Philippines, Indonesia