Country profile · East Asia & Pacific · HIC

🇵🇼 Palau

High income. Capital Koror. Mid-pack GDP/cap (HIC · MID) across 33 World Bank / WHO / ILO measures.

17.7K
Population
$321.5 million
GDP
$18,169
GDP / capita
69.4 years
Life expectancy
RSS
East Asia & Pacific High income Capital: Koror

Mid-pack GDP/cap · MID

Palau ranks 211th of 217 by total GDP and 157th for life expectancy - a high income economy in East Asia & Pacific.

#211
World GDP rank (of 217)
$18,169
GDP per capita
#157
Life-expectancy rank
#215
Population rank

Palau sits in the middle third of GDP/cap (#79 of 214) as a HIC economy with MID longevity.

Palau vs all countries by total GDP

Where this economy's World Bank total GDP sits among every country with a positive observation (inventory signal, not a virtue ranking)

$321,501,813 211th of 214 higher than 3 of 214 countries

Countries banded by World Bank total GDP (current US$)

Each bar is a $0.001K-wide band; taller bars hold more countries. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source World Bank, GDP (current US$) · 2026-08-14

Palau on the global income map

Palau (PLW) mid GDP/cap pack - GDP per capita × life expectancy vs largest peers; gold rings = OECD.

Palau on the global income map Palau positioned by World Bank GDP per capita and life expectancy against its largest peers. Each point shows the latest available observation year for both measures. 50 60 70 80 90 $200 $1K $10K $100K GDP per capita (USD, log scale) Life expectancy at birth (years) India - GDP/cap $2,695 (2024) · life expectancy 72.2 years (2024) · lower-middle income IND China - GDP/cap $13,303 (2024) · life expectancy 78.0 years (2024) · upper-middle income CHN United States - GDP/cap $84,534 (2024) · life expectancy 78.9 years (2024) · high income · OECD USA Indonesia - GDP/cap $4,925 (2024) · life expectancy 71.3 years (2024) · upper-middle income IDN Pakistan - GDP/cap $1,479 (2024) · life expectancy 67.8 years (2024) · lower-middle income Nigeria - GDP/cap $1,084 (2024) · life expectancy 54.6 years (2024) · low income Brazil - GDP/cap $10,311 (2024) · life expectancy 76.0 years (2024) · upper-middle income Bangladesh - GDP/cap $2,593 (2024) · life expectancy 74.9 years (2024) · lower-middle income Russian Federation - GDP/cap $14,889 (2024) · life expectancy 73.4 years (2024) · high income Ethiopia - GDP/cap $1,134 (2024) · life expectancy 67.6 years (2024) · low income Mexico - GDP/cap $14,186 (2024) · life expectancy 75.3 years (2024) · high income · OECD Japan - GDP/cap $32,487 (2024) · life expectancy 84.0 years (2024) · high income · OECD Egypt, Arab Rep. - GDP/cap $3,338 (2024) · life expectancy 71.8 years (2024) · lower-middle income Philippines - GDP/cap $3,985 (2024) · life expectancy 69.9 years (2024) · lower-middle income Congo, Dem. Rep. - GDP/cap $693 (2024) · life expectancy 62.1 years (2024) · low income Viet Nam - GDP/cap $4,717 (2024) · life expectancy 74.7 years (2024) · upper-middle income Iran, Islamic Rep. - GDP/cap $5,190 (2024) · life expectancy 77.9 years (2024) · upper-middle income Turkiye - GDP/cap $15,893 (2024) · life expectancy 77.4 years (2024) · high income · OECD Germany - GDP/cap $56,104 (2024) · life expectancy 80.8 years (2024) · high income · OECD Thailand - GDP/cap $7,387 (2024) · life expectancy 76.6 years (2024) · upper-middle income United Kingdom - GDP/cap $53,246 (2024) · life expectancy 81.4 years (2024) · high income · OECD Tanzania - GDP/cap $1,193 (2024) · life expectancy 67.2 years (2024) · lower-middle income France - GDP/cap $46,103 (2024) · life expectancy 83.0 years (2024) · high income · OECD South Africa - GDP/cap $6,267 (2024) · life expectancy 66.3 years (2024) · upper-middle income Italy - GDP/cap $40,385 (2024) · life expectancy 84.0 years (2024) · high income · OECD Kenya - GDP/cap $2,133 (2024) · life expectancy 63.8 years (2024) · lower-middle income Myanmar - GDP/cap $1,359 (2024) · life expectancy 67.1 years (2024) · lower-middle income Colombia - GDP/cap $7,951 (2024) · life expectancy 77.9 years (2024) · upper-middle income · OECD Korea, Rep. - GDP/cap $36,239 (2024) · life expectancy 83.6 years (2024) · high income · OECD Sudan - GDP/cap $985 (2024) · life expectancy 66.5 years (2024) · low income Palau - GDP/cap $18,169 (2024) · life expectancy 69.4 years (2024) · high income Income tier Low Lower-middle Upper-middle High OECD member
  • Palau: GDP per capita $18,169 (2024), life expectancy 69.4 years (2024), high income.
  • India: GDP per capita $2,695 (2024), life expectancy 72.2 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • China: GDP per capita $13,303 (2024), life expectancy 78.0 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • United States: GDP per capita $84,534 (2024), life expectancy 78.9 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Indonesia: GDP per capita $4,925 (2024), life expectancy 71.3 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Pakistan: GDP per capita $1,479 (2024), life expectancy 67.8 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Nigeria: GDP per capita $1,084 (2024), life expectancy 54.6 years (2024), low income.
  • Brazil: GDP per capita $10,311 (2024), life expectancy 76.0 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Bangladesh: GDP per capita $2,593 (2024), life expectancy 74.9 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Russian Federation: GDP per capita $14,889 (2024), life expectancy 73.4 years (2024), high income.
  • Ethiopia: GDP per capita $1,134 (2024), life expectancy 67.6 years (2024), low income.
  • Mexico: GDP per capita $14,186 (2024), life expectancy 75.3 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Japan: GDP per capita $32,487 (2024), life expectancy 84.0 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Egypt, Arab Rep.: GDP per capita $3,338 (2024), life expectancy 71.8 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Philippines: GDP per capita $3,985 (2024), life expectancy 69.9 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Congo, Dem. Rep.: GDP per capita $693 (2024), life expectancy 62.1 years (2024), low income.
  • Viet Nam: GDP per capita $4,717 (2024), life expectancy 74.7 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Iran, Islamic Rep.: GDP per capita $5,190 (2024), life expectancy 77.9 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Turkiye: GDP per capita $15,893 (2024), life expectancy 77.4 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Germany: GDP per capita $56,104 (2024), life expectancy 80.8 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Thailand: GDP per capita $7,387 (2024), life expectancy 76.6 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • United Kingdom: GDP per capita $53,246 (2024), life expectancy 81.4 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Tanzania: GDP per capita $1,193 (2024), life expectancy 67.2 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • France: GDP per capita $46,103 (2024), life expectancy 83.0 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • South Africa: GDP per capita $6,267 (2024), life expectancy 66.3 years (2024), upper-middle income.
  • Italy: GDP per capita $40,385 (2024), life expectancy 84.0 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Kenya: GDP per capita $2,133 (2024), life expectancy 63.8 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Myanmar: GDP per capita $1,359 (2024), life expectancy 67.1 years (2024), lower-middle income.
  • Colombia: GDP per capita $7,951 (2024), life expectancy 77.9 years (2024), upper-middle income, OECD member.
  • Korea, Rep.: GDP per capita $36,239 (2024), life expectancy 83.6 years (2024), high income, OECD member.
  • Sudan: GDP per capita $985 (2024), life expectancy 66.5 years (2024), low income.

Overview

Palau has a population of 17.7K, making it the 215th-most populous country out of 217 tracked in East Asia & Pacific.

Its economy totals $321.5 million - ranked 211th globally by total GDP. GDP per capita stands at $18,169, placing it in the High income category.

Life expectancy at birth is 69.4 years (ranked 157th globally), reflecting overall health outcomes as measured by the World Bank.

The capital is Koror.

👥 Demographics

Population
17.7K
2024
Population Ages 0-14
18.2%
2024
Population Ages 65+
11.3%
2024
Population Density
38.5/km²
2023
Urban Population
79.2%
2024

💰 Economy

Foreign Direct Investment
$69.1 million
2024
GDP (Current USD)
$321.5 million
2024
GDP Growth Rate
12.0%
2024
GDP Per Capita (Current USD)
$18,169.077
2024
Government Debt (% of GDP)
85.2%
2019
Inflation (Consumer Prices)
2.2%
2024
Trade (% of GDP)
105.8%
2024

🏥 Health

Health Expenditure (% of GDP)
10.9%
2023
Infant Mortality Rate
18.6 per 1,000
2024
Life Expectancy at Birth
69.4 years
2024
Maternal Mortality Ratio
89
2023
Physicians (per 1,000 people)
1.8 per 1,000
2023
Under-5 Mortality Rate
21.4 per 1,000
2024

📚 Education

Education Expenditure (% of GDP)
3.4%
2023
Literacy Rate (Adult)
99.8
2020
School Enrollment (Primary)
106.9
2024
School Enrollment (Secondary)
95.7
2024
School Enrollment (Tertiary)
71.8
2024
Youth Literacy Rate
100
2020

🌍 Environment

CO2 Emissions Per Capita
82.8
2024
Forest Area
90.5
2023
Renewable Energy Consumption
0.9%
2022

🏗️ Infrastructure

Access to Clean Water
90.8%
2024
Access to Electricity
100.0%
2023
Internet Users
83.9%
2024
Mobile Subscriptions
135.4
2023

⚖️ Social

Intentional Homicides
11.2
2018
Net Migration
-14
2024

🌐 Livability Score

One composite verdict from 5 of 5 World Bank series (life expectancy, under-5 mortality, electricity access, clean-water access, homicide rate), each benchmarked against every country tracking that series. A missing series never silently drags the score down: its weight redistributes across the series Palau does report.

Overall
C-
50/100
Life expectancy F
69.4 years
World Bank, 2024 (217-country benchmark)
Under-5 mortality D
21.4 per 1,000
World Bank, 2024 (196-country benchmark)
Access to electricity A+
100.0%
World Bank, 2023 (215-country benchmark)
Access to clean water C+
90.8%
World Bank, 2024 (151-country benchmark)
Safety (homicide rate) F
11.2 per 100,000
UNODC via World Bank, 2018 (195-country benchmark)

All indicators for Palau

33 latest observations from World Bank WDI, WHO GHO, and ILO ILOSTAT (vintage through 2026-08-14). Values match the topic cards above; this table is the machine-readable export view analysts expect on a country profile.

TopicIndicatorValueYear
DemographicsPopulation17.7K2024
DemographicsPopulation Ages 0-1418.2%2024
DemographicsPopulation Ages 65+11.3%2024
DemographicsPopulation Density38.5/km²2023
DemographicsUrban Population79.2%2024
EconomyForeign Direct Investment$69.1 million2024
EconomyGDP (Current USD)$321.5 million2024
EconomyGDP Growth Rate12.0%2024
EconomyGDP Per Capita (Current USD)$18,169.0772024
EconomyGovernment Debt (% of GDP)85.2%2019
EconomyInflation (Consumer Prices)2.2%2024
EconomyTrade (% of GDP)105.8%2024
HealthHealth Expenditure (% of GDP)10.9%2023
HealthInfant Mortality Rate18.6 per 1,0002024
HealthLife Expectancy at Birth69.4 years2024
HealthMaternal Mortality Ratio892023
HealthPhysicians (per 1,000 people)1.8 per 1,0002023
HealthUnder-5 Mortality Rate21.4 per 1,0002024
EducationEducation Expenditure (% of GDP)3.4%2023
EducationLiteracy Rate (Adult)99.82020
EducationSchool Enrollment (Primary)106.92024
EducationSchool Enrollment (Secondary)95.72024
EducationSchool Enrollment (Tertiary)71.82024
EducationYouth Literacy Rate1002020
EnvironmentCO2 Emissions Per Capita82.82024
EnvironmentForest Area90.52023
EnvironmentRenewable Energy Consumption0.9%2022
InfrastructureAccess to Clean Water90.8%2024
InfrastructureAccess to Electricity100.0%2023
InfrastructureInternet Users83.9%2024
InfrastructureMobile Subscriptions135.42023
SocialIntentional Homicides11.22018
SocialNet Migration-142024

🫀 Disease Burden

Palau's standout GHO cell is maternal mortality at 89 per 100,000 births (fleet midpoint 47) - that ratio, not the shared ischaemic-heart card, is what this profile is for.

Suicide Rate
43.4
per 100K ·
Maternal Mortality
89
per 100K births ·

Sources: WHO Global Health Observatory. NCD mortality rate: latest available. Rates are age-standardized per 100,000 population. Premature NCD risk covers cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory disease.

Compare Palau with near GDP/cap peers

Side-by-side pages for the closest ABS GDP/cap neighbours - not a full-roster dropdown.

What the data says about Palau

Palau sits in the high-income bracket but outside the OECD's harmonized reporting network, so its statistics come straight from the World Bank, WHO, and ILO source series rather than a jointly reconciled OECD dataset - still official, but with less cross-checking between agencies than an OECD member gets. Because output and income figures are converted at market exchange rates into current dollars, they can swing with currency movements independent of any real change in living standards, and for a small economy like this one that swing shows up more visibly in the headline numbers than it would for a larger country. The fuller picture comes from comparing Palau against income-tier peers of a similar size.

Palau sits in the middle third of GDP/cap (#79 of 214) as a HIC economy with MID longevity.

Palau holds 17.7K people and $321.5 million GDP (211th) at $18,169 per person - mid GDP/cap band, HIC, LE 69.4 years (157th, MID). 33 WDI/WHO/ILO cells fill the topic blocks.

Nearest ABS GDP/cap peer: American Samoa at $18,017 (Δ $152). Open that profile or the GDP/cap leaderboard before treating any single year as destiny.

What to do with Palau's numbers

Palau is classified HIC with MID. Use that context before comparing any single figure to another country.

  • Compare Palau directly against any other country, side by side, on the indicators that matter to you. Compare countries
  • See exactly where Palau ranks among all 217 tracked countries on a specific indicator, not just the ones shown here. Indicator rank finder
  • Learn the common mistakes people make citing country statistics before you quote a number from this page. Reading country profiles

Figures above are sourced from World Bank, WHO, and ILO (OECD where applicable) as cited below; always verify against the primary source before citing a specific number.

Source: World Bank Open Data, Source: WHO Global Health Observatory, Source: ILO ILOSTAT. World Bank and ILO data licensed under CC BY 4.0.

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