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Last update: January, 22 2021

Palau

flag of Palau
Government
NameRepublic of Palau
PalauanBeluu er a Belau
Government typepresidential republic in free association with the US
CapitalNgerulmud (271) – smallest capital city in the world
CurrencyUnited States dollar (USD)
People
Population (2020)18,092 (224th)
Density of population46.7 P/km2 
NationalityPalauan
Official languages
Palauan  (official on most islands) 
English (official) 
Sonsoralese (official in Sonsoral)
Tobian (official in Tobi)
Angaur (official in Angaur)
Japanese (official in Angaur)
Ethnic groups (2015)
Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures)73%
Carolinian2%
Asian21.7%
caucasian1.2%
other2.1%
Religions (2015)
Roman Catholic45.3%
Protestant34.9%
Evangelical26.4%
Seventh Day Adventist6.9%
Assembly of God0.9%
Baptist0.7%
Modekngei (indigenous to Palau)5.7%
Muslim3%
Mormon1.5%
other9.7%
Life expectancy (2020)
Male70.9 years
Female77.5 years
Total population74.1 years (136st)
Homicides
Total (2018)11.2 per 100,000 people (30th)
Geography
Land area459 km2
water area0 km2
total area459 km2 (198th)
Lowest point
Pacific Ocean0 m
Highest point
Mount Ngerchelchuus242 m
Land use (2011)
Agricultural land10.8%
Arable land2.2%
Permanent crops4.3%
Permanent pasture4.3%
Forest87.6%
Other1.6%
Urbanization
Urban population (2020)81%
Rate of urbanization1.77% annual rate of change (2015 – 2020)
Economy
Labor force (2016)11,610 million  (216th)
Labor force by occupation (2016)
Agriculture1.2%
Industry12.4%
Services 86.4%
Unemployment rate (2015)1.7% (15th)
GDP (PPP) (estimate 2018)
Total$300 million
Per capita$16,296 (81st)
GDP (nominal) (estimate 2018)
Total$322 million
Per capita$17,438
GDP by sector (estimate 2016)
Agriculture3%
Industry19%
Services78%
Exports (2017)$23.17 billion (68th)
Exports partners (2017)
Japan51.3%
US15.8%
India13.8%
Guam8%
Imports (2018)$4.715 billion (134th)
Imports partners (2017)
US33.4%
Guam15.8%
Japan15.7%
China13.5%
South Korea5.3%

Palau on the world map

Palau on the world map

Demography

Age structure data

Estimate for 2020:

  • 0-14 years: 18.68% (male 2,090/female 1,961)
  • 15-24 years: 15.86% (male 1,723/female 1,716)
  • 25-54 years: 45.33% (male 6,026/female 3,804)
  • 55-64 years: 10.68% (male 853/female 1,463)
  • 65 years and over: 9.45% (male 501/female 1,548)

Remark: the age structure of a population affects a nation’s key socioeconomic issues. Countries with young populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage ages 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. The age structure can also be used to help predict potential political issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population unable to find employment can lead to unrest.

Population from 1950 to 2020

CC BY

Source: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2019). World Population Prospects 2019, Online Edition. Rev. 1.

Economy

Agriculture:

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 – commodities:

shellfish, tuna, other fish (many species)

Imports – commodities:

machinery and equipment, fuels, metals, foodstuffs

Time zone and current time in Palau

Go to our interactive map to get the current time in Palau

Sources: