GeoRealityMatch
Explore the stunning aerial vista of Raja Ampat's lush islands and azure waters in Indonesia.Explore the majestic archipelago of Raja Ampat, Indonesia, from above.

Palau

Oceania · Micronesia

High development

The air is clean. Life expectancy is short.

Money

Incomes above the median country

GNI per person
$19,890national income per person, US dollarsHigh
World Bank · 2025

Income and inflation over time

Income per person rose 101% in current dollars from 2006 to 2025, and rose 11% after inflation.

GDP per person, current US$At purchasing power parityInflation

$0$13K$25K$23,052 PPP$19,532Inflation, % a year15%0200620102015202020252006, $9,737 a person, $13,510 at PPP, inflation 4.4%2007, $10,155 a person, $14,182 at PPP, inflation 3.2%2008, $10,471 a person, $13,863 at PPP, inflation 12%2009, $9,837 a person, $13,294 at PPP, inflation 1.4%2010, $10,018 a person, $13,270 at PPP, inflation 1.4%2011, $10,796 a person, $14,409 at PPP, inflation 4.7%2012, $12,098 a person, $15,244 at PPP, inflation 3.6%2013, $12,821 a person, $15,388 at PPP, inflation 3.4%2014, $13,855 a person, $16,254 at PPP, inflation 4.2%2015, $15,938 a person, $17,756 at PPP, inflation 0.9%2016, $17,044 a person, $18,196 at PPP, inflation -1%2017, $16,280 a person, $17,873 at PPP, inflation 1.4%2018, $16,180 a person, $18,204 at PPP, inflation 2.1%2019, $15,842 a person, $18,577 at PPP, inflation 0.3%2020, $14,556 a person, $17,702 at PPP, inflation 0.2%2021, $13,267 a person, $16,312 at PPP, inflation 2.6%2022, $13,935 a person, $17,415 at PPP, inflation 12.4%2023, $15,578 a person, $18,313 at PPP, inflation 12.8%2024, $18,169 a person, $21,059 at PPP, inflation 2.2%2025, $19,532 a person, $23,052 at PPP, inflation -0.4%$0$13K$25KInflation, % a year15%0200620102015202020252006, $9,737 a person, $13,510 at PPP, inflation 4.4%2007, $10,155 a person, $14,182 at PPP, inflation 3.2%2008, $10,471 a person, $13,863 at PPP, inflation 12%2009, $9,837 a person, $13,294 at PPP, inflation 1.4%2010, $10,018 a person, $13,270 at PPP, inflation 1.4%2011, $10,796 a person, $14,409 at PPP, inflation 4.7%2012, $12,098 a person, $15,244 at PPP, inflation 3.6%2013, $12,821 a person, $15,388 at PPP, inflation 3.4%2014, $13,855 a person, $16,254 at PPP, inflation 4.2%2015, $15,938 a person, $17,756 at PPP, inflation 0.9%2016, $17,044 a person, $18,196 at PPP, inflation -1%2017, $16,280 a person, $17,873 at PPP, inflation 1.4%2018, $16,180 a person, $18,204 at PPP, inflation 2.1%2019, $15,842 a person, $18,577 at PPP, inflation 0.3%2020, $14,556 a person, $17,702 at PPP, inflation 0.2%2021, $13,267 a person, $16,312 at PPP, inflation 2.6%2022, $13,935 a person, $17,415 at PPP, inflation 12.4%2023, $15,578 a person, $18,313 at PPP, inflation 12.8%2024, $18,169 a person, $21,059 at PPP, inflation 2.2%2025, $19,532 a person, $23,052 at PPP, inflation -0.4%

World Bank: GDP per person in current US dollars and at PPP, real GDP per person, consumer price inflation. Observed years only.

Health

Below-average life expectancy

Life expectancy
69.4years, at birthLow
#135 of 195
World Bank · 2024
Health coverage
75WHO universal health coverage index, 0 to 100ModerateWHO · 2023
Air pollution
6.0PM2.5, micrograms per cubic metre, national averageVery lowWHO · 2023
Explore the majestic archipelago of Raja Ampat, Indonesia, from above.
How it changed

Palau's Human Development Index

0.786High human development

84th of 193 in UNDP's 2023 ranking, 3rd of 15 in Oceania.

UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita. UNDP Human Development Report 2025.

Nearest countries by HDI

  1. #83Colombia0.788
  2. #84Brazil0.786
  3. #84Palau0.786
  4. #86Moldova0.785
  5. #87Ukraine0.779
Full HDI ranking, all 193 countries

HDI since 2000

Year by year

Human development rose from 0.736 in 2000 to 0.786 in 2023.

0.700.770.850.7862000201020232000: 0.7362001: 0.7412002: 0.7462003: 0.7492004: 0.7552005: 0.7612006: 0.7652007: 0.7712008: 0.7732009: 0.7762010: 0.7792011: 0.7842012: 0.7872013: 0.7912014: 0.7952015: 0.8022016: 0.8042017: 0.8042018: 0.8052019: 0.8062020: 0.7992021: 0.7892022: 0.7862023: 0.7860.700.770.852000201020232000: 0.7362001: 0.7412002: 0.7462003: 0.7492004: 0.7552005: 0.7612006: 0.7652007: 0.7712008: 0.7732009: 0.7762010: 0.7792011: 0.7842012: 0.7872013: 0.7912014: 0.7952015: 0.8022016: 0.8042017: 0.8042018: 0.8052019: 0.8062020: 0.7992021: 0.7892022: 0.7862023: 0.786

UNDP Human Development Report, 2025 edition. 24 annual values, none interpolated.

Twenty years here

Year by yearThe world report
Life expectancy at birth
69.4 years2024at birthUp 3.2 years from 66.2 years in 2005
Urban population
79%2025of people in towns and citiesUp 1 point from 78% in 2006
Births per woman
1.882024births per womanDown 0.14 from 2.02 in 2005
Renewable share of energy
1%2022of energy usedUp 1 point from 0% in 2004
Access to electricity
100%2024of people with electricityUp 1 point from 99% in 2005
Infant mortality
192024deaths before age one, per 1,000 birthsLevel with 2005
CO2 emissions per person
82.8 t2024of CO2 per person a yearDown 4.7 t from 87.5 t in 2005
Forest area
91%2023of land under forestUp 4 points from 87% in 2004

World Bank, from the first to the last observed year of each indicator; each has its own window.

Our take

The case for living here is clean air. The case against is short lives.

About Palau

Palau is a Micronesian archipelago in the western Pacific with some of the finest diving in the world, including Jellyfish Lake and the Blue Corner current, set within a marine sanctuary of extraordinary biodiversity. The Palauan culture is matrilineal and deeply connected to the ocean, with traditions of carving, weaving, and oral history. It suits divers and snorkellers above all, but anyone who loves an unspoilt ocean environment will find it beautiful.

Practical facts

  • CapitalNgerulmud
  • LanguagesEnglish, Palauan
  • CurrencyUnited States dollar (USD)
  • Area460 km²
  • Plug typeType A/B
  • Drives on theright
Weigh Palau against your priorities
Every figure

Everything we hold on Palau

Quick answers

What is Palau's Human Development Index?

Palau's Human Development Index is 0.786 for 2023 (UNDP Human Development Report 2025), ranked #84 of 193 by UNDP.

What is life expectancy in Palau?

Life expectancy at birth in Palau is 69.4 yrs (World Bank), ranked #135 of 195 countries.