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Palau

Oceania · Micronesia

High Development
HDI0.797#70 / 191High
GDP / Capita$20K#61 / 190High
Population18K197th
PPP / Capita$23KModerate

At a Glance

11
Very ExpensivePrice Level IndexHigher is cheaper to live in
42
LowLife ExpectancyLife expectancy at birth
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Palau's Human Development Index

0.797

High human development

#70 of 191 countries worldwide, #3 of 15 in Oceania.

Higher than 64% of countries with data. UNDP Human Development Report.

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.

Closest indicators in this dataset

Life expectancy at birth69.4 yrs (2024)
GNI per capita$19,890 (2025)

World Bank, own vintages. UNDP’s own component values are not carried here, so these are related measures rather than the index inputs.

Nearest countries by HDI

#68Belarus0.801#69Bulgaria0.799
#70Palau0.797
#71Mauritius0.796#72Grenada0.793
Full HDI ranking, all 191 countries →
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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.

  • First country in the world to ban reef-damaging sunscreen.
  • Every visitor must sign the 'Palau Pledge' in their passport — a promise to respect nature.
  • Has the world's highest share of protected marine area.
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Quick Facts

Capital

Ngerulmud

Languages

English, Palauan

Currency

$ USD

Area

460 km²

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Nomad Hub

PlugType A/B

GDP / Capita

i

$20K

Upper Mid

PPP / Capita

i

$23K

High

Inflation

i

-0.4%

Deflation

GNI / Capita

i

$20K

Upper Mid

Tax Revenue

i

18.1%

FDI Inflows

i

21.5%

Education Spend

i

3.4%

Price Level Index

i

11th pct

Expensive

20-Year Trend + IMF Forecast

Income & inflation over time

i
+101% nominal+11% real
$8K$17K$25K5%10%200620102015202020252028
GDPPPPInflationIMF forecast

HDI since 2000

0.747 → 0.797 (+0.050)Year by year →
2000: 0.7472001: 0.7542002: 0.7602003: 0.7652004: 0.7682005: 0.7792006: 0.7802007: 0.7822008: 0.7802009: 0.7772010: 0.7752011: 0.7782012: 0.7802013: 0.7762014: 0.7772015: 0.7822016: 0.7842017: 0.7862018: 0.7882019: 0.7922020: 0.7942021: 0.8022022: 0.797

UNDP Human Development Report, 2023-24 edition. 23 annual values, none interpolated; hover any point for its year.

Twenty years here

Year by year →The world report →
Life expectancy at birth66.2 → 69.4 (+3.2)
Urban population78 → 79 (+1)
Births per woman2.02 → 1.88 (-0.14)
Renewable share of energy0 → 1 (+1)
Access to electricity99 → 100 (+1)
Infant mortality19 → 19 (-0)
CO2 emissions per person87.5 → 82.8 (-4.7)
Forest area87 → 91 (+4)

World Bank observations, first to last available year per indicator (roughly 2005–2024; each series has its own window).

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Quick answers

What is Palau's Human Development Index?

Palau's Human Development Index is 0.797 (UNDP Human Development Report), ranked #70 of 191 countries.

What is life expectancy in Palau?

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