Country Summary
Introduction
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.
Geography
Area
total: 459 sq km
land: 459 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Climate
tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November
Natural resources
forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals
People and Society
Population
21,695 (2022 est.)
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.)
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%, Church of Jesus Christ 1.5%, other 9.7% (2015 est.)
Population growth rate
0.39% (2022 est.)
Government
Government type
presidential republic in free association with the US
Capital
name: Ngerulmud
Executive branch
chief of state: President Surangel WHIPPS Jr. (since 21 January 2021); Vice President Jerrlyn Uduch Sengebau SENIOR (since 21 January 2021); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Surangel WHIPPS Jr. (since 21 January 2021); Vice President Jerrlyn Uduch Sengebau SENIOR (since 21 January 2021)
Legislative branch
description: bicameral National Congress or Olbiil Era Kelulau consists of:
Senate (13 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by majority vote to serve 4-year terms)
House of Delegates (16 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms)
Economy
Economic overview
high-income Pacific island economy; major subsistence agriculture and fishing industries; reliant on US aid; strong tourism has prompted sustainability oversight mechanism; severely disrupted by COVID-19
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$320 million (2019 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$17,600 (2019 est.)
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
Industries
tourism, fishing, subsistence agriculture
Exports
$23.17 billion (2017 est.)
Exports - partners
Japan 70%, South Korea 15%, United States 7% (2019)
Exports - commodities
fish, computers, broadcasting equipment, office machinery/parts, scrap vessels (2019)
Imports
$4.715 billion (2018 est.)
Imports - partners
South Korea 19%, China 18%, Taiwan 17%, United States 17%, Japan 16% (2019)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, fish, cars, broadcasting equipment, modeling instruments (2019)
Page last updated: Friday, May 13, 2022
