Countries, Compared

Palau

Palau is an island nation in the western Pacific Ocean, part of the Micronesia subregion of Oceania. The stable classification facts below let you place Palau in a comparative framework.

Countries, Compared: country research and comparison

Palau is an island nation in the western Pacific Ocean, part of the Micronesia subregion of Oceania. The stable classification facts below let you place Palau in a comparative framework. The sections that follow explain how to verify the figures that change: population, currency details, government composition, economic data, and entry requirements, without relying on a single snapshot that may be outdated.

Classification facts

The following identifiers are stable and come from the United Nations Statistics Division’s M49 coding scheme ( The M49 standard is a statistical convenience; it does not determine sovereignty, borders, or political status. The same scheme groups Palau under “Micronesia” as a subregion of Oceania, which is a geographic grouping, not a statement about any territorial claim.

  • UN M49 code: 585
  • ISO alpha-2: PW
  • ISO alpha-3: PLW
  • UN region: Oceania
  • UN subregion: Micronesia
  • UN member state: Yes
  • World Bank capital field: Koror

How to verify current figures

Volatile data, including population, languages, currency, government structure, economy, and visa policy, changes frequently. Do not trust a single static page. Use the sources below, and always note the reference year for each figure.

Two primary sources to start with

  • UN M49 overview is the definitive source for Palau’s coding identifiers: UN M49 code 585, ISO alpha-2 PW, ISO alpha-3 PLW, UN region Oceania, UN subregion Micronesia, UN member state status, and the World Bank capital field Koror. These are not political claims. The M49 region “Oceania” is a statistical grouping, not a political union.
  • World Bank country API returns official country metadata and lets you pull current indicators with the reference year included in the response. For population and economic figures, always cite the dataset and the year. The World Bank, UN Population Division, and Palau’s own national statistical office may publish different estimates for the same year; do not mix them.

Population

The most recent official figure is published by Palau’s national statistical office or by the World Bank’s country data page ( The World Bank API returns population estimates by year; check the metadata for the reference year. UN population estimates and projections are published in the World Population Prospects; they are modelled estimates, not censuses, and are revised periodically.

Capital

The World Bank capital field lists Koror, but Palau’s national constitution designates a separate capital. The national government functions are based in Ngerulmud, in Melekeok State, which is the official seat of government. The distinction matters: statistical datasets sometimes retain Koror (the former capital and largest settlement) while official government sources use Ngerulmud. Check the Palau National Government’s official site for the current designation.

Currency

The official currency is the United States dollar (USD), as Palau is a sovereign state in free association with the United States under the Compact of Free Association. For current banknote and coin information, see the issuer’s official channels (U.S. Department of the Treasury, U.S. Mint).

Language

Palauan and English are official languages. Other languages are spoken by resident communities; for current official language policy, see the Palau National Government and the Constitution of the Republic of Palau.

Government

Palau is a presidential republic in free association with the United States. The head of state and head of government is the President. For current officeholders, electoral results, and legislative composition, consult the Palau national government website or the official gazette.

Economy

GDP figures, sector shares, and income classifications change annually; the World Bank country page (api.worldbank.org/v2/country?format=json) provides current indicators with stated reference years. Do not combine GDP (nominal) with GDP (PPP) without noting which you use.

Travel

Visa policy and entry requirements change; consult your own government’s travel advisory or the IATA Travel Centre. This guide does not give visa advice.

People, language and culture

Palauan society blends Micronesian traditions with influences from its period under U.S. administration. Palauan and English are the two official languages, and both are used in government, education, and daily commerce. Other languages spoken by resident communities include Filipino, Chinese, and other Micronesian languages; for the current official language policy and any updates to recognised languages, refer to the Palau National Government and the Constitution of the Republic of Palau.

Cultural life centres on the extended family and clan system, with traditional practices such as storytelling, canoe building, and the communal preparation of food remaining important. The national statistical office and UNESCO provide periodic reports on cultural participation and heritage site status. For literacy and education data, consult the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Internet penetration figures are published by the International Telecommunication Union.

Government and economy

Palau operates as a presidential republic under a compact of free association with the United States. The President serves as both head of state and head of government. The national legislature is the Olbiil era Kelulau, a bicameral body. For current officeholders, electoral results, and legislative composition, consult the Palau national government website or the official gazette.

Economic indicators shift with each reporting cycle. GDP per capita figures are available from the World Bank’s World Development Indicators (WDI). Income inequality measures, such as the Gini coefficient, are published by the World Bank’s Poverty and Inequality Platform. The Human Development Index (HDI) is tracked by the UNDP Human Development Report. Surface area data comes from World Bank Open Data. CO2 emissions estimates are produced by the Global Carbon Project. Health metrics, including life expectancy, are maintained by the World Health Organization’s Global Health Observatory, while infant mortality rates are published jointly by UNICEF, WHO, and the World Bank.

How to compare Palau with other nations

Use the stable M49 codes and ISO identifiers to align datasets across sources. When comparing economic or demographic figures, check that every number you use shares the same reference year and definition. A GDP (nominal) figure from the World Bank API cannot be directly compared with a GDP (PPP) figure from another source without noting the difference. For health and education comparisons, use WHO and UNESCO data respectively, and always verify the year of each observation.

Data cautions

  • Reference years vary by source. The World Bank API may return a population estimate for 2023 while the UN World Population Prospects reports a modelled projection for 2024. Cite the specific year and source.
  • Capital field versus constitutional capital. Statistical datasets often retain Koror; the official seat of government is Ngerulmud. Check the Palau National Government site for the current designation.
  • M49 is a coding scheme, not a political statement. The UN M49 grouping is a statistical convenience. It does not determine sovereignty, borders, or diplomatic recognition.
  • Currency and travel rules change. Confirm USD acceptance and any foreign-exchange regulations with the U.S. Treasury or your own financial institution. Verify entry requirements with the IATA Travel Centre or your own foreign ministry before travelling.

Sources

  • UN M49 overview: (2024)
  • World Bank country API: (accessed 2025)
  • Population data: United Nations World Population Prospects 2024,
  • GDP per capita: World Bank, World Development Indicators (WDI),
  • Life expectancy: World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory,
  • Infant mortality: UNICEF/WHO/World Bank,
  • Literacy: UNESCO Institute for Statistics,
  • HDI: UNDP Human Development Report,
  • Gini: World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform,
  • Internet penetration: International Telecommunication Union,
  • CO2: Global Carbon Project,
  • Surface area: World Bank Open Data,
  • Median age: UN World Population Prospects,
  • Urban population: UN World Urbanization Prospects,
  • Country code: ISO 3166-1,
  • Country codes: UN M49,
  • World Bank API:
  • Travel advice:
  • Visa: IATA Travel Centre
  • WHO:
  • UNESCO:
  • CIA World Factbook:

Adjacent guides

  • Country comparison guide: /comparison/
  • Source-literacy guide: /source-literacy/