Palau: education

How do Palau's students do in tests?

Average scores of Palau's students on the standardised Iowa tests have moved from around the 20th percentile in 2021 to about the 40th percentile of US students for the same cohorts, according to the President's State of the Republic Address of July 2026. First and second graders averaged in the 54th and 48th percentiles in 2026.

A 50th-percentile rank is the US average. The address also says the share of teachers with an associate degree or higher rose from 61% in 2020 to 80% in 2025, and the number with only a high school diploma fell from 86 to 39. The Ministry of Education's FY2027 budget proposal is USD 14.1 million. No separate Ministry of Education statistics page could be read.

Official sources: Office of the President: State of the Republic Address, 22 July 2026 (PDF)

How many children in Palau go to secondary school?

According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, gross secondary school enrolment in Palau was 95.7% in 2024. The peak was 160.8% in 2020 and the low 89.1% in 2022. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 92.0%, and Palau placed 6th highest of 16. Worldwide: 45th of 100.

How many students are in higher education in Palau?

The latest figure from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, for 2024, is 71.8%. In 2013 the figure was 67.3%. It is 6th highest of 15 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 47.4%. World rank, highest first: 24th of 90.

What is Palau's literacy rate?

The UNESCO Institute for Statistics puts the adult literacy rate in Palau at 99.8% in 2020. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 96.9%, and Palau placed 1st highest of 10. Of 41 countries with 2020 data, 2nd highest.

How much does Palau spend on education?

The latest figure from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, for 2023, is 3.4% of GDP. That compares with 7.5% of GDP in 2002. East Asia & Pacific median: 3.8% of GDP; Palau is 14th highest of 20. Worldwide: 63rd of 112.

What share of children in Palau finish primary school?

100.4%: that is the primary completion rate in Palau for 2024, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. The peak was 115.6% in 2013 and the low 92.1% in 2022. East Asia & Pacific median: 98.9%; Palau is 8th highest of 20. Of 104 countries with 2024 data, 21st highest.