World · permanent entity record · PS
Palau
Thirty-second orientation
Palau at a glance
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Palauan(s); adjective: Palauan
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- Government
- presidential republic in free association with the US
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history
Palau through time
Admitted to the United Nations
Palau became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04
Source history · changed fields only
Changes since the final CIA profile
| Field | Maintained Almanac value | Final CIA profile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,663World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025 | total: 21,947 (2025 est.) male: 11,257 female: 10,690CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-18 |
A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.
World Development Indicators · latest available observation
People, economy, and access
Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.
- Gross domestic product
- $345.0 million
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Gross domestic product per person
- $19,532
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Life expectancy at birth
- 69.4 years
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Urban population
- 79.3%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Access to electricity
- 100.0%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- People using the internet
- 83.9%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.
Maintained profile
- Capital
- Ngerulmud
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
- Area
- 459 sq km
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
- Population
- 17,663
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Palauan(s); adjective: Palauan
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
- Government
- presidential republic in free association with the US
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json ·
- Continent
- Oceania
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Australia and Oceania.”
- Coastline
- 1,519 km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Climate
- tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Religions
- Roman Catholic 46.9%, Protestant 30.9% (Evangelical 24.6%, Seventh Day Adventist 5%, other Protestant 1.4%), Modekngei 5.1% (indigenous to Palau), Muslim 4.9%, other 12.3% (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Flag colors
- blue, yellow
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
- National symbol
- bai (native meeting house)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Highest point
- Mount Ngerchelchuus · 794 ft (242 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Lowest point
- Pacific Ocean · 0 ft (0 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- NATO membership
- Not a member
- NATO, What is NATO? · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
- BRICS membership
- Not a member
- BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data
Final CIA World Factbook profile
This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b
Introduction1 fields
- Background
- Humans arrived in the Palauan archipelago from Southeast Asia around 1000 B.C. and developed a complex, highly organized matrilineal society where high-ranking women picked the chiefs. The islands were the westernmost part of the widely scattered Pacific islands north of New Guinea that Spanish explorers named the Caroline Islands in the 17th century. The 18th and 19th centuries saw occasional visits of whalers and traders as Spain gained some influence in the islands and administered it from the Philippines. Spain sold Palau to Germany in 1899 after losing the Philippines in the Spanish-American War. Japan seized Palau in 1914, was granted a League of Nations mandate to administer the islands in 1920, and made Koror the capital of its South Seas Mandate in 1922. By the outbreak of World War II, there were four times as many Japanese living in Koror as Palauans. In 1944, the US invasion of the island of Peleliu was one of the bloodiest island fights of the Pacific War. After the war, Palau became part of the US-administered Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Palau voted against joining the Federated States of Micronesia in 1978 and adopted its own constitution in 1981, which stated that Palau was a nuclear-free country. In 1982, Palau signed a Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the US, which granted Palau financial assistance and access to many US domestic programs in exchange for exclusive US military access and defense responsibilities. However, many Palauans saw the COFA as incompatible with the Palauan Constitution because of the US military’s nuclear arsenal, and seven referenda failed to achieve ratification. Following a constitutional amendment and eighth referendum in 1993, the COFA was ratified and entered into force in 1994 when the islands gained their independence. Its funding was renewed in 2010. Palau has been on the frontlines of combatting climate change and protecting marine resources. In 2011, Palau banned commercial shark fishing and created the world’s first shark sanctuary. In 2017, Palau began stamping the Palau Pledge into passports, reminding visitors to act in ecologically and culturally responsible ways. In 2020, Palau banned coral reef-toxic sunscreens and expanded its fishing prohibition to include 80% of its exclusive economic zone.
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography17 fields
- Location
- Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area
- total : 459 sq km land: 459 sq km water: 0 sq km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area - comparative
- slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, D.C.
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maritime claims
- territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Terrain
- varying topography from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Elevation
- highest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural resources
- forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 9.3% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.7% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 4.3% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 4.3% (2023 est.) forest: 90.6% (2023 est.) other: 0% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population distribution
- most of the population is located on the southern end of the main island of Babelthuap
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Geography - note
- westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of six island groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes world-famous Rock Islands
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
People and Society31 fields
- Population
- total: 21,947 (2025 est.) male: 11,257 female: 10,690
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Ethnic groups
- Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 70.6%, Carolinian 1.2%, Asian 26.5%, other 1.7% (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Religions
- Roman Catholic 46.9%, Protestant 30.9% (Evangelical 24.6%, Seventh Day Adventist 5%, other Protestant 1.4%), Modekngei 5.1% (indigenous to Palau), Muslim 4.9%, other 12.3% (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Age structure
- 0-14 years: 17.5% (male 1,976/female 1,849) 15-64 years: 71.3% (male 8,647/female 6,935) 65 years and over: 11.2% (2024 est.) (male 612/female 1,845)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Dependency ratios
- total dependency ratio: 41.6 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 24.9 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 16.7 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 6 (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Median age
- total: 35.5 years (2025 est.) male: 34.1 years female: 37.4 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Birth rate
- 11.53 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Death rate
- 8.52 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Net migration rate
- 0.77 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population distribution
- most of the population is located on the southern end of the main island of Babelthuap
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 82.4% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.59% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major urban areas - population
- 277 NGERULMUD (capital) (2018)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Sex ratio
- at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.25 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.33 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maternal mortality ratio
- 89 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Infant mortality rate
- total: 10.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 12.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.8 deaths/1,000 live births
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Life expectancy at birth
- total population: 75.2 years (2024 est.) male: 72 years female: 78.5 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total fertility rate
- 1.7 children born/woman (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Drinking water source
- urban: 99.6% of population (2022 est.) rural: 99.4% of population (2022 est.) total: 99.6% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0.4% of population (2022 est.) rural: 0.6% of population (2022 est.) total: 0.4% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Health expenditure
- 16.4% of GDP (2021) 9.5% of national budget (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Physician density
- 1.81 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Sanitation facility access
- urban: 99.1% of population (2022 est.) rural: 98.4% of population (2022 est.) total: 99% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0.9% of population (2022 est.) rural: 1.6% of population (2022 est.) total: 1% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Tobacco use
- total: 16.3% (2025 est.) male: 25.2% (2025 est.) female: 6.8% (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Currently married women (ages 15-49)
- 48.3% (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Education expenditure
- 3.5% of GDP (2023 est.) 9.8% national budget (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Literacy
- total population: 100% (2020 est.) male: 100% (2020 est.) female: 100% (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
- total: 15 years (2023 est.) male: 14 years (2023 est.) female: 16 years (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Environment7 fields
- Environmental issues
- inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste; threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging, illegal fishing practices, and overfishing; rising sea level; coral bleaching; drought
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International environmental agreements
- party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 9.3% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.7% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 4.3% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 4.3% (2023 est.) forest: 90.6% (2023 est.) other: 0% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 82.4% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.59% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Particulate matter emissions
- 7.9 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Waste and recycling
- municipal solid waste generated annually: 9,400 tons (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government25 fields
- 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"
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Government type
- presidential republic in free association with the US
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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 name comes from a Palauan term meaning "place of fermented angelfish;" the site of the capital was the traditional location for women to gather and offer fermented angelfish to the gods
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Administrative divisions
- 16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatohobei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legal system
- mixed system of civil, common, and customary law
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Constitution
- history: ratified 9 July 1980, effective 1 January 1981 amendment process: 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International law organization participation
- has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Executive branch
- chief of state: President Surangel WHIPPS, Jr. (since 21 January 2021) head of government: President Surangel WHIPPS, Jr. (since 21 January 2021) 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 election/appointment process: 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) most recent election date: 5 November 2024 election results: 2024: Surangel WHIPPS, Jr. elected president in second round; percent of vote - Surangel WHIPPS, Jr. (independent) 57.7%, Tommy REMENGESAU (independent) 42.1%, other 0.2% 2020: Surangel WHIPPS, Jr. elected president in second round; percent of vote - Surangel WHIPPS, Jr. (independent) 56.7%, Raynold OILUCH (independent) 43.3% expected date of next election: November 2028 note: the president is both chief of state and head of government
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch
- legislature name: National Congress (Olbiil Era Kelulau) legislative structure: bicameral
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch - lower chamber
- chamber name: House of Delegates number of seats: 16 (all directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 11/5/2024 percentage of women in chamber: 25% expected date of next election: November 2028
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch - upper chamber
- chamber name: Senate number of seats: 15 (all directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 11/5/2024 percentage of women in chamber: 13.3% expected date of next election: November 2028
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Judicial branch
- highest court(s): 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Political parties
- although not expressly forbidden by law, Palau does not have political parties or coalitions
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission: Ambassador Hersey KYOTA (since 12 November 1997) chancery: 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 349-8598 FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281 email address and website: info@palauembassy.org https://www.palauembassy.org/ consulate(s): Tamuning (Guam)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission: Ambassador Joel EHRENDREICH (since 29 September 2023) embassy: Omsangel/Beklelachieb, Airai 96940 mailing address: 4260 Koror Place, Washington, DC 20521-4260 telephone: [680] 587-2920 FAX: [680] 587-2911 email address and website: ConsularKoror@state.gov https://pw.usembassy.gov/
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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, WIPO
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Independence
- 1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National holiday
- Constitution Day, 9 July (1981); Independence Day, 1 October (1994)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Flag
- description: light blue with a large yellow disk to the left side meaning: blue stands for the ocean, and the disk for the moon, which is considered a symbol of peace, love, and tranquility
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National anthem(s)
- title: "Belau rekid" (Our Palau) lyrics/music: multiple/Ymesei O. EZEKIEL history: adopted 1980
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National heritage
- total World Heritage Sites: 1 (mixed) selected World Heritage Site locales: Rock Islands Southern Lagoon
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Economy23 fields
- Economic overview
- high-income Pacific island economy; environmentally fragile; subsistence agriculture and fishing industries; US aid reliance; rebounding post-pandemic tourism industry and services sector; very high living standard and low unemployment
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
- $280.025 million (2023 est.) $274.866 million (2022 est.) $278.538 million (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP growth rate
- 1.9% (2023 est.) -1.3% (2022 est.) -13.8% (2021 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP per capita
- $15,800 (2023 est.) $15,500 (2022 est.) $15,700 (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP (official exchange rate)
- $281.849 million (2023 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Inflation rate (consumer prices)
- 2.2% (2024 est.) 12.8% (2023 est.) 12.4% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP - composition, by sector of origin
- agriculture: 3% (2023 est.) industry: 9.9% (2023 est.) services: 76.7% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP - composition, by end use
- household consumption: 77.8% (2022 est.) government consumption: 36.3% (2022 est.) investment in fixed capital: 36.6% (2022 est.) investment in inventories: 1.8% (2022 est.) exports of goods and services: 13.5% (2022 est.) imports of goods and services: -74.3% (2022 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Agricultural 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industries
- tourism, fishing, subsistence agriculture
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industrial production growth rate
- -19.5% (2023 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Remittances
- 0.7% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.8% of GDP (2022 est.) 0.8% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Budget
- revenues: $127.757 million (2020 est.) expenditures: $152.398 million (2020 est.) note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Public debt
- 85.2% of GDP (2019 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Taxes and other revenues
- 18.1% (of GDP) (2020 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Current account balance
- -$135.428 million (2022 est.) -$115.739 million (2021 est.) -$115.61 million (2020 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports
- $24.48 million (2022 est.) $10.566 million (2021 est.) $52.897 million (2020 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - partners
- India 41%, Turkey 26%, Taiwan 10%, USA 9%, Japan 5% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - commodities
- ships, refined petroleum (2023) note: top export commodities based on value in dollars over $500,000
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports
- $216.681 million (2022 est.) $169.938 million (2021 est.) $207.224 million (2020 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - partners
- Italy 32%, China 25%, USA 11%, Turkey 10%, Japan 6% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - commodities
- ships, refined petroleum, additive manufacturing machines, cars, plastic products (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Energy1 fields
- Electricity access
- electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 99.9% electrification - rural areas: 100%
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Communications6 fields
- Telephones - fixed lines
- total subscriptions: 8,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 45 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Telephones - mobile cellular
- total subscriptions: 24,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 135 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Internet users
- percent of population: 27% (2004 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Broadband - fixed subscriptions
- total: 1,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transportation4 fields
- Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
- T8
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Merchant marine
- total: 427 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 49, container ship 8, general cargo 200, oil tanker 52, other 118
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Ports
- total ports: 1 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 0 very small: 1 ports with oil terminals: 1 key ports: Malakal Harbor
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military and Security2 fields
- Military and security forces
- no regular military forces; the Bureau of Public Safety (Ministry of Justice) has divisions for police functions and maritime security (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military - note
- under the Compact of Free Association between Palau and the US, the US is responsible for the defense of Palau, and the US military is granted access to the islands; the COFA also allows citizens of Palau to serve in the US armed forces Palau has a "shiprider" agreement with the US, which allows local maritime law enforcement officers to embark on US Coast Guard (USCG) and US Navy (USN) vessels, including to board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within Palau's designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the high seas; "shiprider" agreements also enable USCG personnel and USN vessels with embarked USCG law enforcement personnel to work with host nations to protect critical regional resources (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transnational Issues1 fields
- Refugees and internally displaced persons
- refugees: 5 (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
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