Palau: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Palau — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Palau has a population of 17,907 spread across 459 km², giving it an average density of 39.0 people per km².

Demographics

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Palau is classified as a high income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 86% of US levels, meaning costs are comparable to the United States.

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 93.6% of Palau's total exports, making it a major pillar of the economy — expect well-developed tourist infrastructure, but also crowded hotspots.

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Palau has 1.81 physicians per 1,000 people, near the global average. Standard travel insurance should suffice.

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. There are 135 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, and local SIM cards are easy to find.

Source: World Bank Open Data