{ "Introduction": { "Background": { "text": "Humans arrived in the Palauan archipelago around 1000 B.C. from Southeast Asia 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. There were several failed attempts by Spanish Jesuit missionaries to visit the islands in the early 1700s. Spain gained some influence in the islands and administered it from the Philippines but sold Palau to Germany in 1899 after it lost 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 Battle of Peleliu between US and Japanese forces resulted in more than 15,000 deaths. Following 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." } }, "Geography": { "Location": { "text": "Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines" }, "Geographic coordinates": { "text": "7 30 N, 134 30 E" }, "Map references": { "text": "Oceania" }, "Area": { "total": { "text": "459 sq km" }, "land": { "text": "459 sq km" }, "water": { "text": "0 sq km" } }, "Area - comparative": { "text": "slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC" }, "Land boundaries": { "total": { "text": "0 km" } }, "Coastline": { "text": "1,519 km" }, "Maritime claims": { "territorial sea": { "text": "12 nm" }, "contiguous zone": { "text": "24 nm" }, "exclusive economic zone": { "text": "200 nm" }, "continental shelf": { "text": "200 nm" } }, "Climate": { "text": "tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November" }, "Terrain": { "text": "varying topography from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs" }, "Elevation": { "highest point": { "text": "Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m" }, "lowest point": { "text": "Pacific Ocean 0 m" } }, "Natural resources": { "text": "forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals" }, "Land use": { "agricultural land": { "text": "10.8% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: arable land": { "text": "arable land: 2.2% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent crops": { "text": "permanent crops: 4.3% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent pasture": { "text": "permanent pasture: 4.3% (2018 est.)" }, "forest": { "text": "87.6% (2018 est.)" }, "other": { "text": "1.6% (2018 est.)" } }, "Irrigated land": { "text": "0 sq km (2022)" }, "Population distribution": { "text": "most of the population is located on the southern end of the main island of Babelthuap" }, "Natural hazards": { "text": "typhoons (June to December)" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of six island groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes World War II battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous Rock Islands" } }, "People and Society": { "Population": { "text": "21,779 (2023 est.)" }, "Nationality": { "noun": { "text": "Palauan(s)" }, "adjective": { "text": "Palauan" } }, "Ethnic groups": { "text": "Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 73%, Carolinian 2%, Asian 21.7%, Caucasian 1.2%, other 2.1% (2015 est.)" }, "Languages": { "text": "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": "note: Sonsoralese is official in Sonsoral; Tobian is official in Tobi; Angaur and Japanese are official in Angaur" }, "Religions": { "text": "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.)" }, "Age structure": { "0-14 years": { "text": "17.49% (male 1,966/female 1,844)" }, "15-64 years": { "text": "71.82% (male 8,665/female 6,976)" }, "65 years and over": { "text": "10.69% (2023 est.) (male 581/female 1,747)" } }, "Dependency ratios": { "total dependency ratio": { "text": "43.8" }, "youth dependency ratio": { "text": "30.2" }, "elderly dependency ratio": { "text": "13.7" }, "potential support ratio": { "text": "7.3 (2021)" } }, "Median age": { "total": { "text": "33.9 years" }, "male": { "text": "32.9 years" }, "female": { "text": "35.9 years (2020 est.)" } }, "Population growth rate": { "text": "0.39% (2023 est.)" }, "Birth rate": { "text": "11.57 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)" }, "Death rate": { "text": "8.31 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)" }, "Net migration rate": { "text": "0.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)" }, "Population distribution": { "text": "most of the population is located on the southern end of the main island of Babelthuap" }, "Urbanization": { "urban population": { "text": "82.4% of total population (2023)" }, "rate of urbanization": { "text": "1.59% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)" } }, "Major urban areas - population": { "text": "277 NGERULMUD (capital) (2018)" }, "Sex ratio": { "at birth": { "text": "1.07 male(s)/female" }, "0-14 years": { "text": "1.07 male(s)/female" }, "15-64 years": { "text": "1.24 male(s)/female" }, "65 years and over": { "text": "0.33 male(s)/female" }, "total population": { "text": "1.06 male(s)/female (2023 est.)" } }, "Infant mortality rate": { "total": { "text": "11.04 deaths/1,000 live births" }, "male": { "text": "12.99 deaths/1,000 live births" }, "female": { "text": "8.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est.)" } }, "Life expectancy at birth": { "total population": { "text": "74.91 years" }, "male": { "text": "71.76 years" }, "female": { "text": "78.24 years (2023 est.)" } }, "Total fertility rate": { "text": "1.7 children born/woman (2023 est.)" }, "Gross reproduction rate": { "text": "0.82 (2023 est.)" }, "Contraceptive prevalence rate": { "text": "NA" }, "Drinking water source": { "improved: urban": { "text": "urban: 99.6% of population" }, "improved: rural": { "text": "rural: 99.8% of population" }, "improved: total": { "text": "total: 99.7% of population" }, "unimproved: urban": { "text": "urban: 0.4% of population" }, "unimproved: rural": { "text": "rural: 0.2% of population" }, "unimproved: total": { "text": "total: 0.3% of population (2020 est.)" } }, "Current health expenditure": { "text": "18.4% of GDP (2020)" }, "Physicians density": { "text": "1.77 physicians/1,000 population (2020)" }, "Sanitation facility access": { "improved: urban": { "text": "urban: 99.8% of population" }, "improved: rural": { "text": "rural: 99% of population" }, "improved: total": { "text": "total: 99.6% of population" }, "unimproved: urban": { "text": "urban: 0.2% of population" }, "unimproved: rural": { "text": "rural: 1% of population" }, "unimproved: total": { "text": "total: 0.4% of population (2020 est.)" } }, "Obesity - adult prevalence rate": { "text": "55.3% (2016)" }, "Tobacco use": { "total": { "text": "17.6% (2020 est.)" }, "male": { "text": "27.3% (2020 est.)" }, "female": { "text": "7.9% (2020 est.)" } }, "Children under the age of 5 years underweight": { "text": "NA" }, "Currently married women (ages 15-49)": { "text": "45.6% (2023 est.)" }, "Education expenditures": { "text": "6.8% of GDP (2019)" }, "Literacy": { "definition": { "text": "age 15 and over can read and write" }, "total population": { "text": "96.6%" }, "male": { "text": "96.8%" }, "female": { "text": "96.3% (2015)" } }, "School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)": { "total": { "text": "17 years" }, "male": { "text": "16 years" }, "female": { "text": "17 years (2013)" } }, "Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)": { "total": { "text": "5.6%" }, "male": { "text": "NA" }, "female": { "text": "(2014) NA" } } }, "Environment": { "Environment - current issues": { "text": "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" }, "Environment - international agreements": { "party to": { "text": "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": { "text": "none of the selected agreements" } }, "Climate": { "text": "tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November" }, "Land use": { "agricultural land": { "text": "10.8% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: arable land": { "text": "arable land: 2.2% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent crops": { "text": "permanent crops: 4.3% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent pasture": { "text": "permanent pasture: 4.3% (2018 est.)" }, "forest": { "text": "87.6% (2018 est.)" }, "other": { "text": "1.6% (2018 est.)" } }, "Urbanization": { "urban population": { "text": "82.4% of total population (2023)" }, "rate of urbanization": { "text": "1.59% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)" } }, "Revenue from forest resources": { "text": "0% of GDP (2018 est.)" }, "Air pollutants": { "particulate matter emissions": { "text": "12.18 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)" }, "carbon dioxide emissions": { "text": "0.22 megatons (2016 est.)" }, "methane emissions": { "text": "0.06 megatons (2020 est.)" } }, "Waste and recycling": { "municipal solid waste generated annually": { "text": "9,427 tons (2016 est.)" } }, "Total renewable water resources": { "text": "0 cubic meters (2017 est.)" } }, "Government": { "Country name": { "conventional long form": { "text": "Republic of Palau" }, "conventional short form": { "text": "Palau" }, "local long form": { "text": "Beluu er a Belau" }, "local short form": { "text": "Belau" }, "former": { "text": "Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Palau District" }, "etymology": { "text": "from the Palauan name for the islands, Belau, which likely derives from the Palauan word \"beluu\" meaning \"village\"" } }, "Government type": { "text": "presidential republic in free association with the US" }, "Capital": { "name": { "text": "Ngerulmud" }, "geographic coordinates": { "text": "7 30 N, 134 37 E" }, "time difference": { "text": "UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)" }, "etymology": { "text": "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": "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" }, "Administrative divisions": { "text": "16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatohobei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol" }, "Independence": { "text": "1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)" }, "National holiday": { "text": "Constitution Day, 9 July (1981), day of a national referendum to pass the new constitution; Independence Day, 1 October (1994)" }, "Constitution": { "history": { "text": "ratified 9 July 1980, effective 1 January 1981" }, "amendments": { "text": "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" } }, "Legal system": { "text": "mixed legal system of civil, common, and customary law" }, "International law organization participation": { "text": "has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt" }, "Citizenship": { "citizenship by birth": { "text": "no" }, "citizenship by descent only": { "text": "at least one parent must be a citizen of Palau" }, "dual citizenship recognized": { "text": "no" }, "residency requirement for naturalization": { "text": "note - no procedure for naturalization" } }, "Suffrage": { "text": "18 years of age; universal" }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { "text": "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": { "text": "President Surangel WHIPPS Jr. (since 21 January 2021); Vice President Jerrlyn Uduch Sengebau SENIOR (since 21 January 2021)" }, "cabinet": { "text": "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": { "text": "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 in November 2024)" }, "election results": { "text": "

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; percent of vote - Tommy REMENGESAU (independent) 51.3%, Surangel WHIPPS, Jr.(independent) 48.7%; Antonio BELLS elected vice president

 

" } }, "Legislative branch": { "description": { "text": "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": { "text": "
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": { "text": "
Senate - percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 13; composition - men 12, women 1; percent of women 7.7%
House of Delegates - percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 16; composition - men 15, women 1; percent of women 6.3%; note - overall percent of women in National Congress 6.9%" } }, "Judicial branch": { "highest court(s)": { "text": "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": { "text": "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": { "text": "National Court and other 'inferior' courts" } }, "Political parties and leaders": { "text": "none" }, "International organization participation": { "text": "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" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { "text": "Ambassador Hersey KYOTA (since 12 November 1997)" }, "chancery": { "text": "1701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20006" }, "telephone": { "text": "[1] (202) 349-8598" }, "FAX": { "text": "[1] (202) 452-6281" }, "email address and website": { "text": "
info@palauembassy.org

https://www.palauembassy.org/" }, "consulate(s)": { "text": "Tamuning (Guam)" } }, "Diplomatic representation from the US": { "chief of mission": { "text": "Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires James BOUGHNER (since September 2022)" }, "embassy": { "text": "Omsangel/Beklelachieb, Airai 96940" }, "mailing address": { "text": "4260 Koror Place, Washington, DC  20521-4260" }, "telephone": { "text": "[680] 587-2920" }, "FAX": { "text": "[680] 587-2911" }, "email address and website": { "text": "
ConsularKoror@state.gov

https://pw.usembassy.gov/" } }, "Flag description": { "text": "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" }, "National symbol(s)": { "text": "bai (native meeting house); national colors: blue, yellow" }, "National anthem": { "name": { "text": "\"Belau rekid\" (Our Palau)" }, "lyrics/music": { "text": "multiple/Ymesei O. EZEKIEL" }, "note": "note: adopted 1980" }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { "text": "1 (mixed)" }, "selected World Heritage Site locales": { "text": "Rock Islands Southern Lagoon" } } }, "Economy": { "Economic overview": { "text": "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)": { "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021": { "text": "$248.468 million (2021 est.)" }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2020": { "text": "$286.694 million (2020 est.)" }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2019": { "text": "$315.42 million (2019 est.)" }, "note": "note: data are in 2017 dollars" }, "Real GDP growth rate": { "Real GDP growth rate 2021": { "text": "-13.33% (2021 est.)" }, "Real GDP growth rate 2020": { "text": "-9.11% (2020 est.)" }, "Real GDP growth rate 2019": { "text": "0.4% (2019 est.)" } }, "Real GDP per capita": { "Real GDP per capita 2021": { "text": "$13,800 (2021 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars" }, "Real GDP per capita 2020": { "text": "$16,000 (2020 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars" }, "Real GDP per capita 2019": { "text": "$17,600 (2019 est.)" } }, "GDP (official exchange rate)": { "text": "$292 million (2017 est.)" }, "Inflation rate (consumer prices)": { "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021": { "text": "2.61% (2021 est.)" }, "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2020": { "text": "0.22% (2020 est.)" }, "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2019": { "text": "0.27% (2019 est.)" } }, "GDP - composition, by sector of origin": { "agriculture": { "text": "3% (2016 est.)" }, "industry": { "text": "19% (2016 est.)" }, "services": { "text": "78% (2016 est.)" } }, "GDP - composition, by end use": { "household consumption": { "text": "60.5% (2016 est.)" }, "government consumption": { "text": "27.2% (2016 est.)" }, "investment in fixed capital": { "text": "22.7% (2016 est.)" }, "investment in inventories": { "text": "1.9% (2016 est.)" }, "exports of goods and services": { "text": "55.2% (2016 est.)" }, "imports of goods and services": { "text": "-67.6% (2016 est.)" } }, "Agricultural products": { "text": "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": { "text": "tourism, fishing, subsistence agriculture" }, "Industrial production growth rate": { "text": "-3.42% (2021 est.) NA" }, "Labor force": { "text": "11,610 (2016)" }, "Labor force - by occupation": { "agriculture": { "text": "1.2%" }, "industry": { "text": "12.4%" }, "services": { "text": "86.4% (2016)" } }, "Unemployment rate": { "Unemployment rate 2015": { "text": "1.7% (2015 est.)" }, "Unemployment rate 2012": { "text": "4.1% (2012)" } }, "Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)": { "total": { "text": "5.6%" }, "male": { "text": "NA" }, "female": { "text": "(2014) NA" } }, "Population below poverty line": { "text": "24.9% (2006) NA" }, "Household income or consumption by percentage share": { "lowest 10%": { "text": "NA" }, "highest 10%": { "text": "NA" } }, "Budget": { "revenues": { "text": "$122 million (2019 est.)" }, "expenditures": { "text": "$121 million (2019 est.)" } }, "Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)": { "text": "8.8% (of GDP) (2016 est.)" }, "Public debt": { "Public debt 2019": { "text": "86.13% of GDP (2019 est.)" }, "Public debt 2018": { "text": "84.75% of GDP (2018 est.)" }, "Public debt 2017": { "text": "79.83% of GDP (2017 est.)" } }, "Taxes and other revenues": { "text": "18.59% (of GDP) (2020 est.)" }, "Fiscal year": { "text": "1 October - 30 September" }, "Current account balance": { "Current account balance 2021": { "text": "-$63.534 million (2021 est.)" }, "Current account balance 2020": { "text": "-$106.379 million (2020 est.)" }, "Current account balance 2019": { "text": "-$97.48 million (2019 est.)" } }, "Exports": { "Exports 2021": { "text": "$12.07 million (2021 est.)" }, "Exports 2020": { "text": "$58.349 million (2020 est.)" }, "Exports 2019": { "text": "$107.823 million (2019 est.)" } }, "Exports - partners": { "text": "Japan 70%, South Korea 15%, United States 7% (2019)" }, "Exports - commodities": { "text": "fish, computers, broadcasting equipment, office machinery/parts, scrap vessels (2019)" }, "Imports": { "Imports 2021": { "text": "$180.38 million (2021 est.)" }, "Imports 2020": { "text": "$215.97 million (2020 est.)" }, "Imports 2019": { "text": "$226.594 million (2019 est.)" } }, "Imports - partners": { "text": "South Korea 19%, China 18%, Taiwan 17%, United States 17%, Japan 16% (2019)" }, "Imports - commodities": { "text": "refined petroleum, fish, cars, broadcasting equipment, modeling instruments (2019)" }, "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold": { "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2017": { "text": "$0 (31 December 2017 est.)" }, "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2015": { "text": "$580.9 million (31 December 2015 est.)" } }, "Debt - external": { "Debt - external 31 December 2014": { "text": "$18.38 billion (31 December 2014 est.)" }, "Debt - external 31 December 2013": { "text": "$16.47 billion (31 December 2013 est.)" } }, "Exchange rates": { "Exchange rates 2021": { "text": "1 (2021 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2020": { "text": "1 (2020 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2019": { "text": "1 (2019 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2018": { "text": "1 (2018 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2017": { "text": "1 (2017 est.)" }, "note": "the US dollar is used" } }, "Energy": { "Electricity access": { "electrification - total population": { "text": "100% (2018)" } } }, "Communications": { "Telephones - fixed lines": { "total subscriptions": { "text": "8,000 (2021 est.)" }, "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "44 (2021 est.)" } }, "Telephones - mobile cellular": { "total subscriptions": { "text": "24,000 (2021 est.)" }, "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "130 (2021 est.)" } }, "Telecommunication systems": { "general assessment": { "text": "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": { "text": "fixed-line nearly 44 per 100 and mobile-cellular services roughly 130 per 100 persons (2021)" }, "international": { "text": "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)" } }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "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)" }, "Internet country code": { "text": ".pw" }, "Internet users": { "total": { "text": "6,696 (2021 est.)" }, "percent of population": { "text": "37.2% (2021 est.)" } }, "Broadband - fixed subscriptions": { "total": { "text": "1,224 (2015 est.)" }, "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "7 (2015 est.)" } } }, "Transportation": { "National air transport system": { "number of registered air carriers": { "text": "1 (2020)" }, "inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers": { "text": "1" } }, "Civil aircraft registration country code prefix": { "text": "T8" }, "Airports": { "text": "3 (2021)" }, "Airports - with paved runways": { "text": "1", "note": "note: paved runways have a concrete or asphalt surface but not all have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control; the length of a runway required for aircraft to safely operate depends on a number of factors including the type of aircraft, the takeoff weight (including passengers, cargo, and fuel), engine types, flap settings, landing speed, elevation of the airport, and average maximum daily air temperature; paved runways can reach a length of 5,000 m (16,000 ft.), but the “typical” length of a commercial airline runway is between 2,500-4,000 m (8,000-13,000 ft.)" }, "Airports - with unpaved runways": { "text": "2", "note": "note: unpaved runways have a surface composition such as grass or packed earth and are most suited to the operation of light aircraft; unpaved runways are usually short, often less than 1,000 m (3,280 ft.) in length; airports with unpaved runways often lack facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control" }, "Roadways": { "total": { "text": "125 km (2018)" }, "paved": { "text": "89 km (2018)" }, "unpaved": { "text": "36 km (2018)" } }, "Merchant marine": { "total": { "text": "304" }, "by type": { "text": "bulk carrier 29, container ship 6, general cargo 137, oil tanker 43, other 89 (2022)" } }, "Ports and terminals": { "major seaport(s)": { "text": "Koror" } } }, "Military and Security": { "Military and security forces": { "text": "no regular military forces; the Ministry of Justice includes divisions/bureaus for public security, police functions, and maritime law enforcement (2023)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "since 2018, Australia and Japan have provided patrol boats to Palau's Division of Marine Law Enforcement (2022)" }, "Military - note": { "text": "under the Compact of Free Association (COFA) between Palau and the US, the US is responsible for the defense of Palau and the US military is granted access to the islands, but it has not stationed any military forces there; 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 (2023)" } }, "Transnational Issues": { "Disputes - international": { "text": "

Palau-Indonesia: maritime delineation negotiations continue with Philippines, Indonesia

Palau-Philippines: maritime delineation negotiations continue with Philippines, Indonesia

" }, "Trafficking in persons": { "tier rating": { "text": "Tier 2 Watch List — Palau does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; Palau convicted a trafficker for the first time since 2018, convicted a government official for corruption in trafficking-related crimes, initiated two prosecutions, established an interagency working group, and conducted public awareness campaigns; it also finalized and implemented a national action plan and hired an investigator and victim advocate for its Anti-Human Trafficking Unit; however, the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts compared to the previous year to expand its anti-trafficking capacity; officials lacked standard operating procedures for victim identification and referral to services; a lenient sentence for a convicted trafficker weakened deterrence, undercut efforts to fight trafficking, and placed victims who cooperated with the investigation and prosecution at risk; therefore, Palau remained on Tier 2 Watch List for the second consecutive year (2022)" }, "trafficking profile": { "text": "human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Palau; foreigners in Palau number about one-third of the population of nearly 22,000, and those with little education or English language proficiency are particularly at risk of trafficking; Filipino, Bangladeshi, Nepali, Thai, Korean, and Chinese adult nationals pay thousands of dollars in recruitment fees to migrate to Palau for jobs in domestic service, agriculture, restaurants, or construction, but some become trafficking victims; some women from the Philippines and China, recruited to work as waitresses or clerks, are exploited in sex trafficking; some foreign workers on fishing boats experience conditions indicative of human trafficking; Cubans working in Palau may have been forced to work by the Cuban government; official complicity facilitates some trafficking; government officials--including labor, immigration, law enforcement, and elected officials—have been investigated for complicity in trafficking crimes (2022)" } } } }