Who runs local government in Palau?
Palau, a country of about 18,000 people, is divided into 16 states, each with its own constitution and government. The national Constitution also gives traditional chiefs a formal advisory role through a Council of Chiefs, and many state constitutions mix elected officials with chiefly authority.
Republic of Palau · Unitary presidential republic with 16 states · Oceania
The levels of government below the nation
| Level | How it is chosen | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| States (16) | Each state's constitution decides: some have elected governors and legislatures; in others traditional chiefs hold key posts | Local services, local laws, state public lands. |
| Council of Chiefs (national) | One traditional chief from each state, appointed by custom and recognised by the state's council of chiefs | Advises the President on traditional law and custom. |
Three questions about local power in Palau
Are local leaders elected?
National officials and most state legislators are elected; some state governors are elected while some states give roles to chiefs. Chiefs are chosen by custom.
Which laws set up local government?
The Constitution sets up the states and the Council of Chiefs and protects traditional law where it does not conflict with the Constitution.
Who are local leaders accountable to?
Elected officials face voters. Chiefs are accountable to their clans, especially senior women, who can remove a title holder.
Traditional and customary authority
Each village and state has ranked chiefly titles held by men chosen within matrilineal clans, and senior women of the clan play the key role in choosing and removing title holders. The two highest chiefs are the Ibedul of Koror and the Reklai of Melekeok. Chiefs cannot sit in the national legislature or cabinet while serving on the Council of Chiefs. Clan land and customary feasts remain central to local power.
Community and neighbourhood power
Clan and women's groups organise customs and ceremonies, and church groups are active. Most people live in Koror, so state governments in smaller states are very small.
Points to know
- Some states, such as Hatohobei and Sonsorol, have only a few dozen residents.
- Koror State, home to the main town, has most of Palau's population, while several states have only a few hundred people or fewer.
- The Constitution says statutes and traditional law are 'equally authoritative'; a statute wins a conflict only if it does not clash with the underlying principles of the traditional law.
Local terms
- Ibedul / Reklai
- The two paramount chiefs of Palau (Koror and Melekeok).
Sources
- Constitution of Palau 1981 (rev. 1992) (English text), Constitute Project, checked 14 October 2026
- Council of Chiefs, Government of the Republic of Palau (PalauGov.pw), checked 14 October 2026
- States, Government of the Republic of Palau (PalauGov.pw), checked 14 October 2026
See also: Palau's official statistics and leaders · the 10 levels of power.