Palau

Palau is an island in the North Pacific Ocean located some 4,364 km northwest of Brisbane, Australia, with a total population of approximately 21,685 inhabitants.

The island covers an area of 459 sq. km, almost all of which is land, averaging 47 persons per sq. km. Of the total land available 2.2% or 10.10 sq. km is arable. Almost 87.6% of the total land available or 402.08 sq. km is covered with forests.

The island’s total GDP is valued at 292 million. The services sector is the island’s largest GDP contributor accounting for 78% of total GDP or 227.76 million. The services sector is followed by industry which accounts for 19% or 55.48 million of total GDP and agriculture which accounts for 3% or 8.76 million of total GDP.

The island’s total labor force is estimated at 11,610 or 53.54% of the total population. Of the total labor force available 86.4% or 10,031 are employed in the services sector, 22.4% or 1,440 are employed in the industrial sector and 1.2% or 139 are employed in the agricultural sector. 

The island’s main industries include tourism, fishing, and subsistence agriculture.

The island’s main agricultural produce includes coconuts, cassava or manioc, tapioca, sweet potatoes; fish, pigs, chicken, eggs, bananas, papaya, breadfruit, calamansi, soursop, Polynesian chestnuts, Polynesian almonds, mangoes, taro, guava, beans, cucumbers, squash and pumpkins, eggplants, green onions, kangkong or watercress, cabbages, radishes, betel nuts, melons, peppers, noni, and okra. 

The island’s primary exports are shellfish, tuna, and various other types of fish.

Palau’s major export partners include Japan 51.3%, the United States 15.8%, India 13.8%, and Guam 8%. Its major import partners are the United States 33.4%, Guam 15.8%, Japan 15.7%, China 13.5%, and South Korea 5.3%.