2013 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

2.17% 4.35% 93.48% (2011)

arable land

2.17%

other

93.48% (2011)

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

20.7% (male 2,250/female 2,110) 17.6% (male 1,849/female 1,875) 46.6% (male 5,981/female 3,854) 8.3% (male 615/female 1,129) 6.8% (male 407/female 1,038) (2013 est.)

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.)

Birth rate

10.9 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

32.8% percent of women aged 15-44 (2003)

Death rate

7.86 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 83% of population rural: 96% of population total: 85% of population urban: 17% of population rural: 4% of population total: 15% of population (2010 est.)

rural

4% of population

total

15% of population (2010 est.)

urban

17% of population

Education expenditures

10.3% of GDP (2002)

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

10.6% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

4.8 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

11.77 deaths/1,000 live births 13.35 deaths/1,000 live births 10.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

female

10.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

total

11.77 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

72.33 years 69.17 years 75.68 years (2013 est.)

female

75.68 years (2013 est.)

total population

72.33 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

32.9 years 32.5 years 33.9 years (2013 est.)

female

33.9 years (2013 est.)

male

32.5 years

total

32.9 years

Nationality

Palauan(s) Palauan

adjective

Palauan

noun

Palauan(s)

Net migration rate

0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

48.9% (2008)

Physicians density

1.38 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

21,108 (July 2013 est.)

Population growth rate

0.37% (2013 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: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2010 est.)

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population (2010 est.)

urban

100% 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 0.98 male(s)/female 1.55 male(s)/female 0.55 male(s)/female 0.4 male(s)/female 1.12 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

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

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

1.12 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.72 children born/woman (2013 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

ratified 9 July 1980, effective 1 January 1981; amended 1992, 2004 (2011)

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 (since 27 September 2013) Koror (no street address) P. O. Box 6028, Koror, Republic of Palau 96940 [680] 587-2920 [680] 587-2911

chief of mission

Ambassador Helen P. REED-ROWE (since 27 September 2013)

embassy

Koror (no street address)

FAX

[680] 587-2911

mailing address

P. O. Box 6028, Koror, Republic of Palau 96940

telephone

[680] 587-2920

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Hersey KYOTA (since 12 November 1997) 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 (since 12 November 1997)

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 Antonio BELLS (since 17 January 2013); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President Tommy REMENGESAU (since 17 January 2013); Vice President Antonio BELLS (since 17 January 2013) 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 Antonio BELLS (since 17 January 2013); 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 Antonio BELLS (since 17 January 2013)

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 (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) 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 National Court and other 'inferior' courts

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

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 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) 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 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)

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 (-)

-2.4% 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 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.

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

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 of origin

3.2% 20% 76.8% (2012 est.)

agriculture

3.2%

industry

20%

services

76.8% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$10,500 (2011 est.) $7,600 (2005 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

6.3% (2012 est.) 6.9% (2011 est.) -0.4% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$221 million (2011 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$221 million (2011 est.) $208.9 million (2010 est.) 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%

Industries

tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), construction, garment making

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

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

Labor force

9,777 (2005)

Labor force - by occupation

20% NA% NA% (1990)

agriculture

20%

industry

NA%

services

NA% (1990)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

NA%

Taxes and other revenues

40.3% 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

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) (2009)

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)

Telephones - main lines in use

7,300 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

17,150 (2012)

Airports

3 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2013)

total

1

Airports - with unpaved runways

2 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

2 (2013)

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