Palau
PLWEast Asia & PacificHigh incomeCapital: KororEconomy
Fiscal
People
Health
Education
Trade
Energy / Env
Tech
Governance
Equality
Infra
Labor
57/80 indicators · percentile vs world (IMF / WB / WHO)underover
GDP
$0
2027▲ 5.5%
Population
17,695
2024▼ 0.2%
GDP per Capita
$21,885
2027▲ 5.6%
Life Expectancy
69.3 years
2023▲ 0.5%
Palau in world space2000–2023
192 countries · log scale on X world Palau· trajectory line: 1980 → today
▶About Palau
Palau's GDP is $362.0M (2026), with a population of 17,695, and GDP per capita of $20,718. Key indicators include real GDP growth of 3.3%, inflation at 2.9%, government debt at 59.0% of GDP, life expectancy of 69.3 years. Data sourced from the IMF World Economic Outlook and World Bank World Development Indicators.
The economy is characterized by a high-income status, with a GDP of $0.362 billion in 2026 and a GDP per capita of $20,718.25. The GDP growth rate is projected to be 3.3% in 2026, indicating steady economic progress. Inflation is expected to be 2.9% in the same year. The economy is heavily reliant on trade, with trade volume reaching approximately 106.7% of GDP in 2023, highlighting its significance in the economic landscape. Societally, the population is approximately 17,695 as of 2024. Life expectancy stands at 69.27 years, reflecting the overall health and living conditions of the population. Koror serves as the capital, playing a central role in administrative and economic activities.
▶Economy23 indicators · 2021–2027 · IMF / WB
▶Fiscal & Monetary15 indicators · 2019–2027 · IMF / WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inflation, Consumer Prices (%) | 2.7% | 2027 | ▼ 6.9% | IMF |
| Govt Gross Debt (% of GDP) | 52.6% | 2027 | ▼ 10.8% | IMF |
| Fiscal Balance (% of GDP) | 1.6% | 2027 | ▲ 6.7% | IMF |
| Current Account Balance (% of GDP) | -13.9% | 2027 | ▲ 2.1% | IMF |
| Inflation, CPI (%, World Bank) | 2.2% | 2024 | ▼ 82.6% | WB |
| Government Debt (% of GDP) | 85.2% | 2019 | ▲ 1.6% | WB |
| Government Revenue (% of GDP) | 24.0% | 2020 | ▼ 2.2% | WB |
| Government Expenditure (% of GDP) | 58.3% | 2020 | ▲ 37.6% | WB |
| Tax Revenue (% of GDP) | 17.9% | 2020 | ▼ 2.5% | WB |
| Taxes on Goods & Services (% of revenue) | 14.2% | 2020 | ▼ 33.0% | WB |
| Taxes on International Trade (% of revenue) | 12.3% | 2020 | ▲ 9.4% | WB |
| Taxes on Income, Profits & Capital Gains (% of rev) | 8.8% | 2020 | ▼ 3.6% | WB |
| Net Investment in Nonfinancial Assets (% of GDP) | 6.3% | 2020 | ▲ 5.9% | WB |
| Official Exchange Rate (per USD) | 1 | 2024 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| PPP Conversion Factor | 0.86 | 2023 | ▲ 7.2% | WB |
▶Trade14 indicators · 2018–2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trade (% of GDP) | 106.7% | 2023 | ▲ 1.4% | WB |
| Exports of Goods & Services (% of GDP) | 26.3% | 2023 | ▲ 67.7% | WB |
| Imports of Goods & Services (% of GDP) | 80.4% | 2023 | ▼ 10.2% | WB |
| Exports of Goods & Services (USD) | $72.7M | 2023 | ▲ 90.4% | WB |
| Imports of Goods & Services (USD) | $222.5M | 2023 | ▲ 1.9% | WB |
| Merchandise Exports (USD) | $3.0M | 2024 | ▼ 57.1% | WB |
| Merchandise Imports (USD) | $138.0M | 2024 | ▼ 29.6% | WB |
| FDI Inflows (% of GDP) | 28.9% | 2023 | ▼ 5.3% | WB |
| FDI Net Inflows (USD) | $69.1M | 2024 | ▼ 13.5% | WB |
| Personal Remittances Received (USD) | $2.0M | 2024 | ▼ 11.9% | WB |
| Personal Remittances Received (% of GDP) | 0.8% | 2023 | ▼ 7.6% | WB |
| High-Tech Exports (% of manufactured) | 51.7% | 2018 | — | WB |
| Current Account Balance (% of GDP) | -48.5% | 2023 | ▼ 1.0% | WB |
| Current Account Balance (USD) | $-134.2M | 2023 | ▼ 14.6% | WB |
▶External Debt2 indicators · 2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net ODA Received (% of GNI) | 10.3% | 2023 | ▼ 54.1% | WB |
| Net ODA Received (USD) | $28.8M | 2023 | ▼ 48.3% | WB |
▶People23 indicators · 2023–2025 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,695 | 2024 | ▼ 0.2% | WB |
| Population Growth (%) | -0.2% | 2024 | ▼ 0.2% | WB |
| Population Density (per km²) | 39 | 2023 | ▼ 0.2% | WB |
| Surface Area (sq km) | 460 | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Land Area (sq km) | 460 | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Urban Population (%) | 79.2% | 2024 | ▲ 0.1% | WB |
| Urban Population (total) | 14,016 | 2024 | ▼ 0.1% | WB |
| Rural Population (%) | 20.8% | 2024 | ▼ 0.3% | WB |
| Life Expectancy at Birth | 69.3 years | 2023 | ▲ 0.5% | WB |
| Life Expectancy, Male | 67.2 years | 2023 | ▲ 0.6% | WB |
| Life Expectancy, Female | 71.8 years | 2023 | ▲ 0.3% | WB |
| Fertility Rate (births per woman) | 1.9 | 2023 | ▼ 1.0% | WB |
| Birth Rate (per 1,000) | 10.9 | 2023 | ▼ 2.0% | WB |
| Death Rate (per 1,000) | 11.5 | 2023 | ▼ 0.1% | WB |
| Net Migration | -16 | 2025 | ▼ 14.3% | WB |
| Population Ages 0–14 (%) | 18.2% | 2024 | ▼ 1.6% | WB |
| Population Ages 15–64 (%) | 70.4% | 2024 | ▼ 0.3% | WB |
| Population Ages 65+ (%) | 11.3% | 2024 | ▲ 4.5% | WB |
| Age Dependency Ratio (%) | 42.0% | 2024 | ▲ 0.9% | WB |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio (%) | 16.1% | 2024 | ▲ 4.8% | WB |
| Youth Dependency Ratio (%) | 25.9% | 2024 | ▼ 1.3% | WB |
| Mortality Rate, Adult Male (per 1,000) | 226.9 | 2023 | ▼ 5.0% | WB |
| Mortality Rate, Adult Female (per 1,000) | 162.1 | 2023 | ▼ 3.4% | WB |
▶Labor3 indicators · 2020–2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self-Employed (%) | 67.1% | 2023 | ▲ 0.2% | WB |
| Part-Time Employment (%) | 11.4% | 2020 | — | WB |
| NEET Youth (% not in education/employment) | 11.3% | 2023 | ▼ 37.5% | WB |
▶Education18 indicators · 2001–2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education Spending (% of GDP) | 3.5% | 2023 | ▼ 1.4% | WB |
| Education Spending (% of govt expenditure) | 9.8% | 2023 | ▼ 4.0% | WB |
| Adult Literacy Rate (%) | 100.0% | 2020 | — | WB |
| Female Literacy Rate (%) | 100.0% | 2020 | — | WB |
| Male Literacy Rate (%) | 100.0% | 2020 | — | WB |
| Youth Literacy Rate (%) | 100.0% | 2020 | — | WB |
| Primary School Enrollment (%) | 100.7% | 2023 | ▲ 9.5% | WB |
| Secondary School Enrollment (%) | 97.3% | 2023 | ▲ 9.2% | WB |
| Tertiary School Enrollment (%) | 41.1% | 2023 | ▼ 20.2% | WB |
| Primary Completion Rate (%) | 93.8% | 2023 | ▲ 1.8% | WB |
| Lower Secondary Completion Rate (%) | 99.6% | 2023 | ▲ 5.2% | WB |
| Out-of-School Children, Primary | 114 | 2023 | ▼ 43.3% | WB |
| Out-of-School Girls, Primary | 56 | 2023 | ▼ 46.7% | WB |
| Primary School Teachers | 124 | 2023 | ▲ 2.5% | WB |
| Secondary School Teachers | 152 | 2023 | ▲ 4.1% | WB |
| Expenditure per Student, Primary (% of GDP/cap) | 44.9% | 2001 | — | WB |
| Education Spending, Secondary (% of govt) | 9.6% | 2001 | — | WB |
| Education Spending, Tertiary (% of govt) | 20.7% | 2001 | — | WB |
▶Health28 indicators · 2020–2024 · WHO
▶Energy & Environment14 indicators · 2020–2024 · WB / WHO
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CO₂ Emissions (tonnes per capita) | 82.8 | 2024 | ▲ 5.1% | WB |
| CO₂ Emissions (total kilotonnes) | 1 | 2024 | ▲ 4.9% | WB |
| Renewable Electricity Output (%) | 4.6% | 2021 | ▲ 17.3% | WB |
| Renewable Energy Consumption (%) | 0.9% | 2022 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Access to Electricity (%) | 100.0% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Access to Clean Fuels for Cooking (%) | 100.0% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| PM2.5 Air Pollution (µg/m³) | 7.3 | 2020 | ▼ 5.4% | WB |
| Forest Area (%) | 90.5% | 2023 | ▲ 0.2% | WB |
| Forest Area (sq km) | 417 | 2023 | ▲ 0.2% | WB |
| Arable Land (%) | 0.7% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Terrestrial Protected Areas (%) | 98.0% | 2024 | ▼ 2.0% | WB |
| Marine Protected Areas (%) | 98.0% | 2024 | ▼ 2.0% | WB |
| Access to Basic Drinking Water (%) | 99.5% | 2024 | ▲ 0.0% | WHO |
| Access to Basic Sanitation (%) | 99.0% | 2024 | ▲ 0.0% | WHO |
▶Agriculture3 indicators · 2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Land (%) | 9.3% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Total Fisheries Production (metric tonnes) | 803 | 2023 | ▼ 1.2% | WB |
| Fertilizer Consumption (kg per hectare) | 26.7 | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
▶Technology7 indicators · 2018–2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile Subscriptions (per 100 people) | 135 | 2023 | ▲ 0.2% | WB |
| Fixed Broadband Subscriptions (per 100) | 7.3 | 2023 | ▲ 4.9% | WB |
| Secure Internet Servers (per million) | 1,469.3 | 2024 | ▲ 8.5% | WB |
| Scientific Journal Articles | 6 | 2022 | ▲ 15.0% | WB |
| High-Technology Exports (USD) | $401,590 | 2018 | — | WB |
| ICT Service Exports (% of service exports) | 0.3% | 2023 | ▼ 49.0% | WB |
| ICT Service Exports (USD) | $164,000 | 2023 | ▼ 8.4% | WB |
▶Infrastructure3 indicators · 2019–2021 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Container Port Traffic (TEU) | 16,399 | 2019 | ▼ 18.2% | WB |
| Electricity from Oil (%) | 95.4% | 2021 | ▼ 0.7% | WB |
| Electricity from Nuclear (%) | 0.0% | 2021 | — | WB |
▶Gender5 indicators · 2020–2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women in Parliament (%) | 25.0% | 2024 | ▲ 300.0% | WB |
| Female Labor Force Participation, 15+ (%) | 60.7% | 2023 | ▲ 2.5% | WB |
| Adolescent Fertility Rate (per 1,000) | 29.9 | 2023 | ▼ 0.3% | WB |
| Gender Parity Index, Secondary | 1.00 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Gender Parity in Primary Education | 0.97 | 2021 | ▼ 9.8% | WB |
▶Governance10 indicators · 2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Control of Corruption | 0.59 | 2023 | ▼ 2.2% | WB |
| Government Effectiveness | 0.44 | 2023 | ▼ 1.6% | WB |
| Political Stability | 1.08 | 2023 | ▼ 0.3% | WB |
| Regulatory Quality | 0.4 | 2023 | ▼ 9.4% | WB |
| Rule of Law | 0.94 | 2023 | ▼ 1.8% | WB |
| Voice & Accountability | 1.09 | 2023 | ▲ 1.5% | WB |
| Control of Corruption (percentile rank) | 69.8% | 2023 | ▼ 2.6% | WB |
| Government Effectiveness (percentile rank) | 67.5% | 2023 | ▼ 0.7% | WB |
| Rule of Law (percentile rank) | 80.7% | 2023 | ▼ 1.2% | WB |
| Political Stability (percentile rank) | 89.6% | 2023 | ▲ 2.1% | WB |
▶Military1 indicator · 2018 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intentional Homicides (per 100,000) | 11.2 | 2018 | — | WB |
▶Social Protection4 indicators · 2020 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human Capital Index (0–1) | 0.59 | 2020 | ▲ 3.7% | WB |
| Human Capital Index, Female | 0.62 | 2020 | ▲ 3.6% | WB |
| Human Capital Index, Male | 0.56 | 2020 | ▲ 3.4% | WB |
| Learning-Adjusted Years of School | 8.7 years | 2020 | ▲ 5.4% | WB |
▶Tourism5 indicators · 2017–2020 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Tourism, Arrivals | 18,400 | 2020 | ▼ 80.4% | WB |
| Tourism Receipts (USD) | $123.0M | 2017 | — | WB |
| Tourism Expenditures (USD) | $23.3M | 2017 | — | WB |
| Tourism Receipts (% of total exports) | 93.5% | 2017 | — | WB |
| International Tourism, Transport Services (USD) | $7.0M | 2017 | — | WB |
▶Urban Development4 indicators · 2022–2024 · WB / WHO
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Population Growth (%) | -0.1% | 2024 | ▲ 21.0% | WB |
| Population in Slums (% of urban) | 0.6% | 2022 | ▲ 106.1% | WB |
| Rural Population Growth (%) | -0.5% | 2024 | ▼ 31.3% | WB |
| Access to Safely Managed Drinking Water (%) | 90.8% | 2024 | ▲ 0.2% | WHO |
