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
21,779 (2023 est.)
Ethnic groups
Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 70.6%, Carolinian 1.2%, Asian 26.5%, other 1.7% (2020 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 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.)
Population growth rate
0.39% (2023 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; 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
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$248.468 million (2021 est.)
$286.694 million (2020 est.)
$315.42 million (2019 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$13,800 (2021 est.)
$16,000 (2020 est.)
$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
Remittances
0.86% of GDP (2020 est.)
0.78% of GDP (2019 est.)
0.76% of GDP (2018 est.)
Exports
$12.07 million (2021 est.)
$58.349 million (2020 est.)
$107.823 million (2019 est.)
Exports - partners
Japan 34%, Taiwan 16%, Turkey 16%, Italy 12%, United States 9% (2021)
Exports - commodities
computers, scrap vessels, recreational boats, scrap iron, fish, scrap copper, scrap aluminum (2021)
Imports
$180.38 million (2021 est.)
$215.97 million (2020 est.)
$226.594 million (2019 est.)
Imports - partners
China 34%, United States 21%, South Korea 12%, Japan 8%, Taiwan 6% (2021)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, boat propellers, iron structures, cars, floating docks, broadcasting equipment, prefabricated buildings (2021)
Exchange rates
1 (2021 est.)
1 (2020 est.)
1 (2019 est.)
1 (2018 est.)
1 (2017 est.)
Page last updated: Wednesday, December 06, 2023
