Palau
Country statistics · 1990–present
Palau at a Glance
Palau is home to 17,695 people as of 2024, with a population that is experiencing natural population decline. At a GDP per capita of $25,318, it is an upper-middle-income economy — reflecting a developed economy with strong living standards. Life expectancy at birth stands at 69.4 years, below the global average.
Population Trends
The total resident population stood at 17,695 as of 2024. With a birth rate of 10.7 and a death rate of 11.7 per 1,000 people (2024), the natural growth rate stands at -1.0 per 1,000 — equivalent to roughly -18 additional residents each year from natural change alone.
Economy & Development
Palau is a small economy, with a total GDP that is projected at $438 million (2029 IMF projection). At $25,318 per person, it is classified as an upper-middle-income economy — reflecting a developed economy with strong living standards. Real GDP growth is projected at 2.6% in 2029, representing modest growth.
Health & Society
Life expectancy at birth is 69.4 years (2024), below the global average. Current health expenditure per person is $1,684 (2023), representing moderate per-capita healthcare spending. The adult literacy rate stands at 99.8% (2020), reflecting near-universal literacy. 83.9% of the population use the internet (2024), indicating strong digital connectivity. Access to safe drinking water reaches 90.8% of the population (2024), representing broad access to safe drinking water.