🇵🇼 Palau
With 17,663 inhabitants (2025), Palau ranks 211 out of 213 in the population ranking (Oceania). GDP per capita – Palau: $19,532 /inh. (2025), ranking 77 out of 211. Economic growth is 6.3 % (2025). Annual inflation stands at -0.4 % (2025).
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Strengths and weaknesses
Strengths – Palau, according to global rankings (rank/countries ranked): Women's legal equality: marriage (1/186), Women's legal equality: mobility (1/186), Open defecation (1/211).
Weaknesses – Palau, according to global rankings (rank/countries ranked): Gross savings (177/178), Current account balance (196/198), Women's legal equality: parental leave and pregnancy (181/186).
Regional comparison
- GDP per capita: Palau has $19,532 /inh., above the regional median (Oceania: $8,489 /inh.).
- Inflation (consumer prices): Palau has -0.4 %, below the regional median (Oceania: 2.5 %).
- GDP growth: Palau has 6.3 %, above the regional median (Oceania: 2.8 %).
Comparable countries
From closest to furthest. The proximity score (0 to 100) compares each country’s position across all the indicators they have in common: 100 = identical profiles.
- 1🇲🇵Northern Mariana Islands59 indicators compared53/100
- 2🇦🇸American Samoa73 indicators compared46/100
- 3🇹🇨Turks & Caicos Islands71 indicators compared45/100
- 4🇫🇲Micronesia169 indicators compared40/100
- 5🇹🇻Tuvalu131 indicators compared38/100
- 6🇳🇷Nauru130 indicators compared38/100
- 7🇲🇭Marshall Islands175 indicators compared37/100
- 8🇩🇲Dominica161 indicators compared36/100
- 9🇨🇼Curaçao77 indicators compared36/100
- 10🇰🇳St. Kitts & Nevis164 indicators compared35/100
- 11🇰🇾Cayman Islands83 indicators compared35/100
- 12🇬🇺Guam69 indicators compared35/100
All indicators
·Wealth & Growth 8
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP per capita growth | 6.5 % | 2025 | 14 of 211 |
| GDP growth | 6.3 % | 2025 | 34 of 211 |
| Gross national income per capita (Atlas method) | $19,890 /inh. | 2025 | 69 of 205 |
| GDP per capita | $19,532 /inh. | 2025 | 77 of 211 |
| GDP per capita, purchasing power parity | $23,052 /inh. | 2025 | 94 of 201 |
| Natural resource rents | 0 % | 2021 | 189 of 211 |
| GDP, purchasing power parity | $407.2M | 2025 | 198 of 201 |
| GDP | $345M | 2025 | 208 of 211 |
Prices, Inflation & Currency 3
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inflation (consumer prices) | -0.4 % | 2025 | 8 of 191 |
| Inflation (GDP deflator) | 1 % | 2025 | 35 of 210 |
| Official exchange rate | 1 LCU/$ | 2025 | 160 of 211 |
Foreign Trade 7
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-technology exports | 51.7 % | 2018 | 9 of 185 |
| Imports of goods and services | 73.1 % | 2024 | 33 of 192 |
| Trade openness | 105.8 % | 2024 | 57 of 192 |
| Exports of goods and services | 32.7 % | 2024 | 107 of 192 |
| Services exports | $55.8M | 2023 | 184 of 198 |
| Current account balance | -48.6 % | 2023 | 196 of 198 |
| Merchandise exports | $3M | 2025 | 204 of 205 |
Investment, Tourism & Aid 6
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign direct investment inflows | 16.6 % | 2025 | 10 of 201 |
| Official development aid received | 10.4 % | 2023 | 24 of 160 |
| Migrant remittances received | 0.8 % | 2023 | 136 of 196 |
| International tourism receipts | $123M | 2017 | 152 of 201 |
| Foreign direct investment inflows (amount) | $57.1M | 2025 | 156 of 203 |
| International tourist arrivals | 18,400 arr. | 2020 | 194 of 202 |
Public finances 6
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central government spending | 59 % | 2020 | 5 of 160 |
| Government final consumption | 38.3 % | 2024 | 7 of 187 |
| Tax revenue | 18.1 % | 2020 | 67 of 161 |
| Central government debt | 85.2 % | 2019 | 92 of 109 |
| Share of income taxes in government revenue | 8.8 % | 2020 | 142 of 159 |
| Budget balance | -9.5 % | 2020 | 151 of 158 |
Economic structure 7
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross capital formation | 35 % | 2024 | 15 of 185 |
| Services | 73.1 % | 2024 | 22 of 202 |
| Household final consumption | 74.6 % | 2024 | 46 of 189 |
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing | 2.7 % | 2024 | 135 of 203 |
| Industry (including construction) | 13 % | 2024 | 171 of 205 |
| Gross savings | -13 % | 2023 | 177 of 178 |
| Manufacturing | 1.2 % | 2024 | 190 of 201 |
Population & Vital Statistics 11
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of men per 100 women | 116.5 per 100 women | 2025 | 9 of 213 |
| Share of men in the population | 53.8 % | 2025 | 9 of 213 |
| Boys per 100 girls at birth | 107.7 per 100 girls | 2024 | 10 of 213 |
| Share of 15-64 year olds | 70.2 % | 2025 | 23 of 213 |
| Urban population | 79.3 % | 2025 | 60 of 213 |
| Median age of the population | 37.8 yrs | 2023 | 71 of 226 |
| Share of people aged 65 and over | 11.8 % | 2025 | 85 of 213 |
| Share of 0-14 year olds | 17.9 % | 2025 | 138 of 213 |
| Age dependency ratio | 42.4 per 100 | 2025 | 191 of 213 |
| Share of women in the population | 46.2 % | 2025 | 205 of 213 |
| Population | 17,663 inhab. | 2025 | 211 of 213 |
Births, deaths and life expectancy 10
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Death rate | 11.7 per 1,000 | 2024 | 19 of 213 |
| Road traffic deaths | 4.8 per 100,000 | 2013 | 24 of 188 |
| Children per woman | 1.88 children/woman | 2024 | 110 of 213 |
| Under-5 mortality | 21.4 per 1,000 | 2024 | 125 of 194 |
| Infant mortality | 18.6 per 1,000 | 2024 | 125 of 194 |
| Birth rate | 10.7 per 1,000 | 2024 | 142 of 213 |
| Male life expectancy at birth | 67.3 yrs | 2024 | 150 of 213 |
| Female life expectancy at birth | 71.9 yrs | 2024 | 154 of 213 |
| Life expectancy at birth | 69.4 yrs | 2024 | 155 of 213 |
| Population growth | -0.18 % | 2025 | 185 of 213 |
Health and healthcare system 10
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open defecation | 0 % | 2024 | 1 of 211 |
| Health expenditure | 10.9 % | 2023 | 17 of 191 |
| Hospital beds | 4.3 per 1,000 | 2010 | 33 of 190 |
| Share of health spending paid directly by patients | 12.1 % | 2023 | 37 of 191 |
| Measles vaccination | 96 % | 2024 | 46 of 191 |
| Nurses and midwives | 6.61 per 1,000 | 2023 | 50 of 196 |
| Access to basic sanitation | 99 % | 2024 | 51 of 211 |
| Access to basic drinking water | 99.5 % | 2024 | 67 of 211 |
| New tuberculosis cases | 28 per 100,000 | 2024 | 87 of 206 |
| Physicians | 1.81 per 1,000 | 2023 | 93 of 193 |
Body and lifestyle 11
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean body mass index of men | 29.5 kg/m² | 2016 | 8 of 190 |
| Mean body mass index of women | 29.6 kg/m² | 2016 | 18 of 190 |
| Tobacco use | 23 % | 2024 | 106 of 165 |
| Tobacco use among women | 11.1 % | 2024 | 110 of 165 |
| Tobacco use among men | 35 % | 2024 | 110 of 165 |
| Average height of men | 167.7 cm | 2014 | 138 of 198 |
| Average height of women | 156.2 cm | 2014 | 151 of 198 |
| Obesity among adult women | 45.9 % | 2024 | 168 of 196 |
| Adult obesity | 40.5 % | 2024 | 178 of 196 |
| Obesity among adult men | 36 % | 2024 | 179 of 196 |
| Diabetes prevalence | 19.3 % | 2024 | 188 of 207 |
Origins, languages and religions 4
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Religious diversity (fractionalization index) | 0.71 | 2003 | 21 of 204 |
| Share of immigrants in the population | 29.5 % | 2024 | 31 of 212 |
| Ethnic diversity (fractionalization index) | 0.43 | 2003 | 95 of 205 |
| Linguistic diversity (fractionalization index) | 0.32 | 2003 | 111 of 203 |
Territory & Borders 8
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length of coastline | 1,519 km | 2026 | 66 of 227 |
| Number of neighboring countries | 0 countries | 2026 | 155 of 223 |
| Latitude of the country's center | 7.5 ° | 2026 | 159 of 232 |
| Population density | 38.5 inh./km² | 2024 | 161 of 212 |
| Length of land borders | 0 km | 2026 | 162 of 230 |
| Land area | 460 km² | 2024 | 187 of 212 |
| Total area | 460 km² | 2024 | 188 of 212 |
| Landlocked country | Has sea access | 2026 | 183 countries out of 227 in the same category |
Terrain, Water & Climate 3
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest point | 0 m | 2026 | 39 of 228 |
| Population living less than 5 m above sea level | 12.3 % | 2015 | 179 of 212 |
| Highest point | 242 m | 2026 | 205 of 229 |
Land & Nature 4
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest cover | 90.8 % | 2024 | 4 of 210 |
| Protected land areas | 31.4 % | 2025 | 32 of 210 |
| Agricultural land | 9.3 % | 2024 | 177 of 207 |
| Arable land | 0.7 % | 2024 | 192 of 204 |
Democracy & Elections 1
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum voting age | 18 yrs | 2026 | 12 of 222 |
Governance & Rule of Law 6
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Political stability and absence of violence (WGI) | 1.3 | 2025 | 16 of 205 |
| Rule of law (WGI) | 1.17 | 2025 | 31 of 205 |
| Voice and accountability (WGI) | 1.01 | 2025 | 41 of 203 |
| Regulatory quality (WGI) | 0.45 | 2025 | 59 of 203 |
| Control of corruption (WGI) | 0.51 | 2025 | 69 of 205 |
| Government effectiveness (WGI) | 0.1 | 2025 | 101 of 203 |
Women's rights 17
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year women gained the right to vote | 1,979 | 2025 | 14 of 189 |
| Women subjected to partner violence (past 12 months) | 9.6 % | 2013 | 45 of 106 |
| Share of women in parliament | 25 % | 2025 | 100 of 192 |
| Share of women among ministers | 14.3 % | 2025 | 125 of 192 |
| Paid maternity leave | No paid leave | 2025 | 6 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Paid paternity leave | No paid leave | 2025 | 65 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Women's right to vote | Right to vote granted to all women | 2025 | 189 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Women's right to take a job without permission | Same right as men | 2025 | 168 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Women's right to travel abroad | Same right as men | 2025 | 171 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Equal inheritance between sons and daughters | Rights not equal | 2025 | 40 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Equal pay for work of equal value | Not written into law | 2025 | 88 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Equal property ownership rights | Rights not equal | 2025 | 21 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Ban on gender discrimination in employment | No complete prohibition | 2025 | 29 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Femicide law | No specific provision | 2025 | 151 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Law on sexual harassment | No area covered | 2025 | 24 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Law on domestic violence | Law covering some forms of violence | 2025 | 38 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Legal quota for women on company boards | No mandatory quota | 2025 | 147 countries out of 186 in the same category |
Women's Legal Equality (Indices) 11
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women's legal equality: marriage | 100 /100 | 2025 | 1 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: mobility | 100 /100 | 2025 | 1 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: retirement | 75 /100 | 2025 | 84 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: pay and occupations | 75 /100 | 2025 | 87 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: entrepreneurship | 25 /100 | 2025 | 122 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: childcare | 25 /100 | 2025 | 133 of 186 |
| Legal protection of women against violence | 12.5 /100 | 2025 | 144 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: access to employment | 25 /100 | 2025 | 155 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: overall index | 43.8 /100 | 2025 | 167 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: property and inheritance | 0 /100 | 2025 | 180 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: parental leave and pregnancy | 0 /100 | 2025 | 181 of 186 |
LGBTQ+ rights 17
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| LGBT rights index (composite policy index) | 1 pts | 2025 | 109 of 194 |
| Joint adoption by a same-sex couple | Not allowed | 2025 | 155 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Age of sexual consent: same-sex couples | Same as for different-sex couples | 2025 | 120 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Legal change of gender marker | Not legally possible | 2025 | 125 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Anti-LGBT hate crimes: aggravating circumstance | Not covered | 2025 | 126 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Ban on incitement to anti-LGBT hatred | Not prohibited | 2025 | 141 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Ban on non-consensual surgeries on intersex children | Not banned | 2025 | 182 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Ban on conversion therapies | Not banned | 2025 | 169 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Laws limiting public LGBT expression (“propaganda”) | No restrictions | 2025 | 149 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Same-sex marriage and civil union | Marriage defined as the union of a man and a woman | 2025 | 98 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Death penalty for same-sex relations | No death penalty provided for | 2025 | 185 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Protection against employment discrimination (sexual orientation, gender identity) | No protection | 2025 | 107 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Protection from discrimination in goods and services (LGBT) | No protection | 2025 | 125 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Protection of sexual orientation and gender identity in the constitution | Not mentioned | 2025 | 180 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Legal recognition of a third gender | Not recognized | 2025 | 174 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Same-sex sexual relations | Legal | 2025 | 130 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Gender-affirming care: coverage and restrictions | Neither coverage nor national restriction | 2025 | 149 countries out of 194 in the same category |
Justice and security 8
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 11.2 per 100,000 | 2018 | 156 of 192 |
| United Nations Convention against Torture | Signed, not ratified | 2026 | 4 countries out of 202 in the same category |
| International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) | Neither party nor signatory | 2026 | 30 countries out of 202 in the same category |
| Civilian access to handguns | Prohibited for civilians | 2026 | 60 countries out of 113 in the same category |
| Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court | Neither party nor signatory | 2026 | 52 countries out of 202 in the same category |
| Legal status of the death penalty | Abolished for all crimes | 2026 | 112 countries out of 195 in the same category |
| Legal status of cannabis (medical use) | Prohibited | 2026 | 126 countries out of 180 in the same category |
| Legal status of cannabis (recreational use) | Prohibited | 2026 | 144 countries out of 194 in the same category |
Health and reproductive rights 4
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adolescent birth rate | 30.2 per 1,000 | 2024 | 111 of 213 |
| Births attended by skilled health personnel | 97.2 % | 2020 | 117 of 204 |
| Maternal mortality | 89 per 100,000 | 2023 | 125 of 192 |
| Abortion: grounds allowed by law | Allowed only to save the woman's life | 2026 | 35 countries out of 191 in the same category |
Work and social rights 4
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal monthly minimum wage | $883 | 2024 | 38 of 168 |
| Population covered by at least one social benefit | 93.2 % | 2019 | 39 of 210 |
| Statutory monthly minimum wage in purchasing power parity | $889 | 2024 | 59 of 168 |
| Non-respect of freedom of association and collective bargaining | 1.6 /10 | 2024 | 91 of 186 |
Family & Nationality 8
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age of civil majority | 18 yrs | 2026 | 21 of 187 |
| Dual nationality | Not recognised | 2026 | 98 countries out of 191 in the same category |
| Women's right to be head of household | Same right as men | 2025 | 157 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Women's right to divorce | Same right as men | 2025 | 142 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Legal framework on child marriage | At least one condition is missing | 2025 | 141 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Nationality acquired by birth on the territory | Not acquired automatically by birth in the country | 2026 | 154 countries out of 192 in the same category |
| Wife's legal duty of obedience to her husband | No duty of obedience in the law | 2025 | 168 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Legal status of polygamy | Not recognized (prohibited) | 2026 | 107 countries out of 167 in the same category |
Civic duties 3
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration of compulsory schooling | 12 yrs | 2025 | 32 of 194 |
| Age of entry into primary school | 6 yrs | 2025 | 33 of 207 |
| Compulsory voting | Voluntary voting | 2026 | 199 countries out of 226 in the same category |
Frequently asked questions
How many people live in Palau?
Palau has about 17,663 inhabitants (2025), ranking 211 worldwide out of 213 countries.
What is the GDP per capita of Palau?
GDP per capita is $19,532 /inh. (2025): Palau ranks 77 out of 211 countries.
What is the inflation rate in Palau?
Annual inflation is -0.4 % (2025); Palau ranks 8 out of 191 (ranked from lowest to highest).
Where does Palau stand in its region (Oceania)?
GDP per capita: Palau has $19,532 /inh., above the regional median (Oceania: $8,489 /inh.).
Where do the figures on Palau come from?
The data comes from public sources (World Bank, CIA World Factbook…), cited on each indicator page, with the year of each value.
Rank is the position in the world ranking for each indicator (the ranking direction is given on the indicator's page). Sources and update dates are on each indicator's page.