💾 Archived View for zaibatsu.circumlunar.space › ~solderpunk › cia-world-factbook › palau.gmi captured on 2024-08-25 at 00:55:44. Gemini links have been rewritten to link to archived content
⬅️ Previous capture (2024-08-18)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Australia and Oceania
Page last updated: July 24, 2024
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.
Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines
07°30' N, 134°30' E
Oceania
Total : 459 km²
Land: 459 km²
Water: 0 km²
Slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Area comparison map:
Total: 0 km
1,519 km
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Contiguous zone: 24 nm
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Continental shelf: 200 nm
Tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November
Varying topography from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs
Highest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m
Lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals
Agricultural land: 10.8% (2018 est.)
Arable land: 2.2% (2018 est.)
Permanent crops: 4.3% (2018 est.)
Permanent pasture: 4.3% (2018 est.)
Forest: 87.6% (2018 est.)
Other: 1.6% (2018 est.)
0 km² (2022)
Most of the population is located on the southern end of the main island of Babelthuap
Typhoons (June to December)
Westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of six island groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes world-famous Rock Islands
Total: 21,864
Male: 11,235
Female: 10,629 (2024 est.)
Comparison rankings: female 218; male 218; total 218
Noun: Palauan(s)
Adjective: Palauan
Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 70.6%, Carolinian 1.2%, Asian 26.5%, other 1.7% (2020 est.)
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
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.)
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)
2023 population pyramid:
Total dependency ratio: 43.8
Youth dependency ratio: 30.2
Elderly dependency ratio: 13.7
Potential support ratio: 7.3 (2021)
Total: 35.3 years (2024 est.)
Male: 34.1 years
Female: 37.4 years
0.38% (2024 est.)
11.6 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
8.4 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
0.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Most of the population is located on the southern end of the main island of Babelthuap
Urban population: 82.4% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization: 1.59% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030
277 NGERULMUD (capital) (2018)
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.)
Total: 10.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
Male: 12.7 deaths/1,000 live births
Female: 8.8 deaths/1,000 live births
Total population: 75.2 years (2024 est.)
Male: 72 years
Female: 78.5 years
1.7 children born/woman (2024 est.)
0.83 (2024 est.)
NA
Improved: urban: 99.6% of population
Rural: 99.8% of population
Total: 99.7% of population
Unimproved: urban: 0.4% of population
Rural: 0.2% of population
Total: 0.3% of population (2020 est.)
18.4% of GDP (2020)
1.77 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Improved: urban: 99.8% of population
Rural: 99% of population
Total: 99.6% of population
Unimproved: urban: 0.2% of population
Rural: 1% of population
Total: 0.4% of population (2020 est.)
55.3% (2016)
Total: 17.6% (2020 est.)
Male: 27.3% (2020 est.)
Female: 7.9% (2020 est.)
NA
45.6% (2023 est.)
6.8% of GDP (2019)
Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 96.6%
Male: 96.8%
Female: 96.3% (2015)
Total: 17 years
Male: 16 years
Female: 17 years (2013)
Inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste; threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging, illegal and destructive fishing practices, and overfishing; climate change contributes to rising sea level and coral bleaching; drought
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
Tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November
Agricultural land: 10.8% (2018 est.)
Arable land: 2.2% (2018 est.)
Permanent crops: 4.3% (2018 est.)
Permanent pasture: 4.3% (2018 est.)
Forest: 87.6% (2018 est.)
Other: 1.6% (2018 est.)
Urban population: 82.4% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization: 1.59% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030
0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Particulate matter emissions: 7.82 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 0.22 megatons (2016 est.)
Methane emissions: 0.06 megatons (2020 est.)
Municipal solid waste generated annually: 9,427 tons (2016 est.)
0 cubic meters (2017 est.)
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"
Presidential republic in free association with the US
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 Palauan meaning is "place of fermented 'mud'" ('mud' being the native name for the keyhole angelfish); the site of the new capitol (established in 2006) had been a large hill overlooking the ocean, Ngerulmud, on which women would communally gather to offer fermented angelfish to the gods
Note: Ngerulmud, on Babeldaob Island, is the smallest national capital on earth by population, with only a few hundred people; the name is pronounced en-jer-al-mud; Koror, on Koror Island, with over 11,000 residents is by far the largest settlement in Palau; it served as the country's capital from independence in 1994 to 2006
16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatohobei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol
1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
Constitution Day, 9 July (1981), day of a national referendum to pass the new constitution; Independence Day, 1 October (1994)
History: ratified 9 July 1980, effective 1 January 1981
Amendments: 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; amended several times, last in 2020
Mixed legal system of civil, common, and customary law
Has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
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
18 years of age; universal
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 of Palau
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 3 November 2020 (next to be held on 12 November 2024)
Election results:
2020: Surangel WHIPPS, Jr. elected president in second round; percent of vote - Surangel WHIPPS, Jr. (independent) 56.7%, Raynold OILUCH (independent) 43.3%
2016: Tommy REMENGESAU reelected president in the second round; percent of vote - Tommy REMENGESAU (independent) 51.3%, Surangel WHIPPS, Jr. (independent) 48.7%; Antonio BELLS elected vice president
Note: the president is both chief of state and head of government
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)
Elections: Senate - last held on 3 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2024)
House of Delegates - last held on 3 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2024)
Election results: Senate - percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 13; composition - men 12, women 1; percentage women 7.7%
House of Delegates - percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 16; composition - men 15, women 1; percentage women 6.3%; note - total National Congress percentage women 6.9%
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
None
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
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
Bai (native meeting house); national colors: blue, yellow
Name: "Belau rekid" (Our Palau)
Lyrics/music: multiple/Ymesei O. EZEKIEL
Note: adopted 1980
Total World Heritage Sites: 1 (mixed)
Selected World Heritage Site locales: Rock Islands Southern Lagoon
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
$284.695 million (2023 est.)
$283.424 million (2022 est.)
$284.454 million (2021 est.)
Note: data in 2021 dollars
0.45% (2023 est.)
-0.36% (2022 est.)
-14.16% (2021 est.)
Note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
$15,800 (2023 est.)
$15,700 (2022 est.)
$15,800 (2021 est.)
Note: data in 2021 dollars
$263.021 million (2023 est.)
Note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
12.8% (2023 est.)
12.35% (2022 est.)
2.61% (2021 est.)
Note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Agriculture: 3% (2016 est.)
Industry: 19% (2016 est.)
Services: 78% (2016 est.)
Comparison rankings: services 36; industry 159; agriculture 148
Household consumption: 60.5% (2016 est.)
Government consumption: 27.2% (2016 est.)
Investment in fixed capital: 22.7% (2016 est.)
Investment in inventories: 1.9% (2016 est.)
Exports of goods and services: 55.2% (2016 est.)
Imports of goods and services: -67.6% (2016 est.)
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
Tourism, fishing, subsistence agriculture
-19.56% (2022 est.)
Note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
11,610 (2016)
1.7% (2015 est.)
4.1% (2012)
Total: 5.6% (2014)
24.9% (2006)
0.38% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.81% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.82% of GDP (2021 est.)
Note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Revenues: $122 million (2019 est.)
Expenditures: $121 million (2019 est.)
8.8% (of GDP) (2016 est.)
85.24% of GDP (2019 est.)
83.79% of GDP (2018 est.)
77.99% of GDP (2017 est.)
Note: central government debt as a % of GDP
17.93% (of GDP) (2020 est.)
Note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
-$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
$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
Greece 27%, Japan 26%, France 18%, Taiwan 8%, US 7% (2022)
Note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Ships, computers, machine parts, scrap iron, fish (2022)
Note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
$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
China 35%, US 14%, South Korea 13%, Japan 8%, Italy 6% (2022)
Note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Ships, refined petroleum, iron structures, plastic products, electric batteries (2022)
Note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
$580.9 million (31 December 2015 est.)
$18.38 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$16.47 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
The US dollar is used
Electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Electrification - urban areas: 99.9%
Electrification - rural areas: 100%
Total subscriptions: 8,000 (2022 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 44 (2022 est.)
Total subscriptions: 24,000 (2022 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 133 (2022 est.)
General assessment: Palau telecommunications is a small, formerly unregulated sector undertaking significant growth with the improvement and cost reduction in technology; mobile services have taken over the share of the market from landlines, with both 2-3G cell services throughout the islands; sim cards are easily available and offer 3G and data options; there are pre-paid and post-paid options for both voice and data; there are three data options for using a wireless hotspot network throughout Palau; connection from hotel and restaurant premises is available, enabling users to connect via WiFi throughout the main Islands of Palau (2022)
Domestic: fixed-line nearly 44 per 100 and mobile-cellular services roughly 130 per 100 persons (2021)
International: country code - 680; landing point for the SEA-US submarine cable linking Palau, Philippines, Micronesia, Indonesia, Hawaii (US), Guam (US) and California (US); satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2019)
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)
.pw
Total: 6,696 (2021 est.)
Percent of population: 37.2% (2021 est.)
Total: 1,224 (2015 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (2015 est.)
Number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020)
Inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 1
T8
3 (2024)
Total: 121 km
Paved: 85 km
Unpaved: 36 km (2018)
Total: 427 (2023)
By type: bulk carrier 49, container ship 8, general cargo 200, oil tanker 52, other 118
Total ports: 1 (2024)
Large: 0
Medium: 0
Small: 0
Very small: 1
Ports with oil terminals: 1
Key ports: Malakal Harbor
No regular military forces; the Ministry of Justice includes divisions/bureaus for public security, police functions, and maritime law enforcement (2024)
Since 2018, Australia and Japan have provided patrol boats to Palau's Division of Marine Law Enforcement (2022)
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 (2024)