Palau: official statistics and sources
4 official bodies for Palau, from Office of Planning and Statistics (Ministry of Finance) to Government of the Republic of Palau, with key figures from the World Bank and IMF. Official languages: Palauan, English. Capital: Koror.
Who holds power in Palau
- Head of state: Surangel S. Whipps Jr. (President of the Republic of Palau)
- Head of government: The head of state leads the government (no prime minister listed)
- Foreign minister: Gustav N. Aitaro (Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Palau)
Source: UN Protocol and Liaison Service list, dated 15 October 2026. All world leaders.
Unitary presidential republic with 16 states. How local power works in Palau: 2 tiers of government below the nation, who is elected and who they answer to.
Part of level 6 of the 10 levels of power.
Government, regions and cities
- Government and power in Palau: leaders, governance scores, women in parliament, spending and the bodies that hold power to account
Key figures
What the figures show
World Bank data give a population of 17,663 for Palau in 2025, against 17,770 in 2015. It ranks 28th of 30 in the World Bank's East Asia and Pacific region and 191st of 193 worldwide.
Palau's economy produced $345.0 million of goods and services in 2025, in current US dollars. Divided by population it comes to $19,532, where the middle country in the region has $6,547.
Output rose 6.3% after inflation in 2025 (World Bank). The IMF's October 2026 outlook projects 4.3% for 2026.
For 2025 as a whole the World Bank records -0.4%. IMF projections put 2026 at 1.7%.
Government debt was 52.8% of GDP in 2025, the IMF estimates, heading to 53.8% in 2026. The regional median is 45.0%.
A baby born in 2024 could expect to live 69.4 years.
- Annual inflation since 2015: highest 12.8% (2023), lowest -1.0% (2016).
- Debt ratio 2015: 28.9%; 2025: 52.8%.
- GDP per person in dollars, 2015 to 2025: +23%.
Figures checked 2026-10-13; how they are compiled.
Official sources in Palau
Statistics office prices, jobs, people, output
- Office of Planning and Statistics (Ministry of Finance)
Palau's census, statistical yearbooks and economic and social survey reports.
- Pacific Data Hub (Pacific Community)
Regional statistical database maintained by the Pacific Community with Palau population, economic and SDG indicators.
Parliament debates, votes, bills
- Olbiil Era Kelulau (Palau National Congress: Senate and House of Delegates) (Olbiil Era Kelulau)
Legislative measures, committee activities, press releases and members of both houses.
Government
- Government of the Republic of Palau
Executive orders, ministry pages, press releases and government reports.
Notes
Palau has no central bank; it uses the US dollar.
The former congress domain palauoek.com now hosts unrelated content; the Olbiil Era Kelulau launched palauoek.org in July 2026.
The Palau judiciary site listed by the Pacific Judicial Council (palausupremecourt.net) returned HTTP 404 on 2026-10-13 and is not listed.
What Palau does not have
- No online company register, land register or procurement portal could be found.
- No information commissioner; disputes under the Open Government Act go to the courts.
- No public register of charities, lobbyists or published asset declarations.
Also: World Bank country data · IMF country page · UN Sustainable Development Goals country profile · IPU Parline parliament profile.
Palau by subject
- Economy GDP, growth, trade and investment
- Jobs and pay unemployment, jobs and work
- Cost of living inflation, poverty and inequality
- Public finances debt, deficit, tax and spending
- Health and care life expectancy, doctors and spending
- Housing homes, cities, water and power
- Crime and justice murder rate, courts and crime
- Immigration migrants, refugees and remittances
- Education schools, universities and literacy
- Environment emissions, air, forests and water
Power in Palau, from local government up to the G20
The global bodies above national governments, and the levels of power inside Palau. How the ten levels work.
Level 3: Local councils
- Local government in Palau how councils, regions and municipalities work
Level 6: National government
- Palau: national government this page
- Government and power in Palau who leads, the parliament and the courts
- World leaders every country's head of state and government
Level 10: G7, G20, Davos and global forums
Common questions
What is the population of Palau?
17,663 (2025, World Bank). National figures: Office of Planning and Statistics (Ministry of Finance).
What is the inflation rate in Palau?
minus 0.4% (2025, World Bank). Official index: Office of Planning and Statistics (Ministry of Finance).
What is Palau's GDP?
$345.0 million (2025, World Bank).
How much government debt does Palau have?
52.8% of GDP (2025, International Monetary Fund).
Who publishes official statistics in Palau?
Office of Planning and Statistics (Ministry of Finance): https://www.palaugov.pw/office-publications/
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