2015 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

land

459 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

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

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

arable land 2.2%; permanent crops 4.3%; permanent pasture 4.3%

agricultural land

10.8%

forest

87.6%

other

1.6% (2011 est.)

Location

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

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

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

Age structure

0-14 years

20.26% (male 2,225/female 2,084)

15-24 years

17.18% (male 1,819/female 1,834)

25-54 years

46.21% (male 5,992/female 3,834)

55-64 years

9.03% (male 667/female 1,253)

65 years and over

7.32% (male 418/female 1,139) (2015 est.)

Birth rate

11.05 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Death rate

7.99 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 97% of population

rural: 86% of population

total: 95.3% of population

urban: 3% of population

rural: 14% of population

total: 4.7% of population (2011 est.)

Ethnic groups

Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 72.5%, Carolinian 1%, other Micronesian 2.4%, Filipino 16.3%, Chinese 1.6%, Vietnamese 1.6%, other Asian 3.4%, white 0.9%, other 0.3% (2005 est.)

Health expenditures

9.9% of GDP (2013)

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

female

9.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)

male

12.67 deaths/1,000 live births

total

11.15 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Palauan (official on most islands) 66.6%, Carolinian 0.7%, other Micronesian 0.7%, English (official) 15.5%, Filipino 10.8%, Chinese 1.8%, other Asian 2.6%, other 1.3%

note

Sonsoral (Sonsoralese and English are official), Tobi (Tobi and English are official), and Angaur (Angaur, Japanese, and English are official) (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

female

76.23 years (2015 est.)

male

69.69 years

total population

72.87 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99.6% (2015 est.)

male

99.5%

total population

99.5%

Major urban areas - population

MELEKEOK (capital) 299 (2012)

Median age

female

34.4 years (2015 est.)

male

32.6 years

total

33.2 years

Nationality

adjective

Palauan

noun

Palauan(s)

Net migration rate

0.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

47.1% (2014)

Physicians density

1.38 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

21,265 (July 2015 est.)

Population growth rate

0.38% (2015 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 49.4%, Protestant 30.9% (includes Protestant (general) 23.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 5.3%, and other Protestant 2.5%), Modekngei 8.7% (indigenous to Palau), Jehovah's Witnesses 1.1%, other 8.8%, none or unspecified 1.1% (2005 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

14 years (2013)

male

14 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.07 male(s)/female

15-24 years

0.99 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.56 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.53 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.37 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

1.1 male(s)/female (2015 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.71 children born/woman (2015 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

1.66% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

87.1% of total population (2015)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

geographic coordinates

7 29 N, 134 38 E

name

Melekeok

time difference

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

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

Constitution

ratified 9 July 1980, effective 1 January 1981; amended 1992, 2004, last in 2008 (2015)

Country name

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

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

chancery

1701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036

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

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

chief of state

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

election results

Tommy REMENGESAU elected president; percent of vote - Tommy REMENGESAU 58%, Johnson TORIBIONG 42%; Antonio BELLS elected vice president

elections/appointments

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 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

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

description

bicameral National Congress or Olbiil Era Kelulau consists of the Senate (9 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by majority vote to serve 4-year terms) and the House of Delegates (16 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms)

election results

Senate - percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 9; House of Delegates - percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 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

lyrics/music

multiple/Ymesei O. EZEKIEL

name

"Belau rekid" (Our Palau)

note

adopted 1980

National holiday

Constitution Day, 9 July (1979), day of a national referendum to pass the new constitution

National symbol(s)

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

Political parties and leaders

none

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

expenditures

$97.53 million (2012 est.)

revenues

$123.6 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

10.5% of GDP (2012 est.)

Current account balance

-$32 million (2014 est.)

-$24 million (2013 est.)

Debt - external

$18.38 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$16.47 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

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 125,000 in fiscal year 2014, a 13.4% increase over the previous year. 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

$19.1 million (2014 est.)

$14.4 million (2013 est.)

Exports - commodities

shellfish, tuna, copra, garments

Fiscal year

1 October - 30 September

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

3.2%

industry

20%

services

76.8% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$14,100 (2014 est.)

$13,500 (2013 est.)

$13,700 (2012 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

4.9% (2014 est.)

-1.8% (2013 est.)

3.2% (2012 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$249 million (2014 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$250 million (2014 est.)

$238.3 million (2013 est.)

$242.6 million (2012 est.)

note

GDP estimate includes US subsidy

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$177.7 million (2014 est.)

$146.5 million (2013 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)

4% (2014 est.)

2.8% (2013 est.)

Labor force

10,470 (2014)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

20%

industry

NA%

services

NA% (1990)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

NA%

Taxes and other revenues

49.6% of GDP (2012 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 (1 government-owned) (2009)

Internet country code

.pw

Radio broadcast stations

AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001)

Telephone system

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 - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

34 (2014 est.)

total subscriptions

7,100

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

90 (2014 est.)

total

19,100

Television broadcast stations

1 (cable) (2005)

Airports

3 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2013)

total

1

Airports - with unpaved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

2 (2013)

total

2

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s)

Koror

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49

6,987 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

females age 16-49

3,969 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

5,272

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

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)

Disputes - international

maritime delineation negotiations continue with Philippines, Indonesia