Countries

Palau

Map

Palau
This map is an approximation of actual country borders.

The estimated multi-ethnic population of Palau was 20 550 in 2009, with an estimated annual population growth rate of 0.99%. The population consists of 69.9% Palauans (who are a conglomeration of Micronesians with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures), 15.3% Filipinos, 4.9% Chinese, 2.4% other Asian, 1.9% Causacian, 1.4% Carolinian and 4.2% other or unspecified groups (2000 estimate). The 2006 estimate indicated a population density of 46 persons per square kilometre. In 2007, approximately 77% of the Palauan population were living in Koror City.

Since the 1990 census, life expectancy at birth has been higher for women than men; the 2005 estimate stood at 69 years, 72.1 years for women and 66.3 years for men.

In May 1953, Palau was assigned to the Western Pacific Region at the Sixth World Health Assembly ''without prejudice to any questions regarding sovereignty'' as an area. It was a member of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands dominated by the United States of America until the Office of the High Commissioner determined to end the association on 10 July 1987. All functions were transferred to individual governments, including Palau. On 9 March 1995, Palau joined WHO as one of its Member States.

Palau was initially covered by the WHO Representative Office in Singapore in 1957, and by the WHO Representative Office in Taipei, China (Taiwan) from 1959 to 30 June 1972, when the Ofice was closed. In 1972, responsibility for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands was transferred to the Western Pacific Regional Office, and in 1976, it was decided that the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands was to come under the WHO Representative Office in the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji. In August 2010, the WHO Country Liaison Office was established in the Federated States of Micronesia to cover the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, and the Marshall Islands.

The WHO Country Liaison Officer in Northern Micronesia

WHO Country Office

Office address:

Department of Health and Social Affairs 1/F Mogethin Building, National Capital Complex Palikir

Postal address:

Department of Health and Social Affairs Mogethin Building, 1st Floor National Capital Complex PO BOX PS70 Palikir, FM 96941

Telephone number:

(691) 320 2619

Fax number:

(001) 866 868 3940

Office hours:

09.00 - 17.00 hours (Monday to Friday)

Email:

who.fsm@wpro.who.int

Website:

http://www.wpro.who.int/southpacific

Department of Health

Address:

One Hospital Road, Meyuns, Koror P.O.Box 6027, Koror, Republic of Palau, 96940

Telephone number:
(680) 488 2552 / 488 2553

Fax number:

(680) 488 1211

Email:

moh@palau-health.net

Sources

Additional information

Family Health Unit Statistics, Bureau of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Palau.

 

Statistics

Estimated Population ('000s) ( 2010 ) 20.52
Percentage of Population 5-14 years old ( 2010 ) 14.01
Life expectancy at birth (years) ( 2010 ) 63.8
Under-five mortality rate (per 1000 livebirths) ( 2010 ) 12.2
Total health expenditure as % of GDP ( 2009 ) 11.2
General gov't expenditure on health as % of total general gov't expenditure ( 2009 ) 16.7
Human development index ( 1998 ) 0.86
Per capita GDP (US$) at current market prices ( 2007 ) 8423
Per capita GDP (US$) at current market prices ( 2007 ) 8423
Population below national poverty line not available
Adult literacy rate (%) ( 2005 ) 99.9
Maternal mortality ratio (per 100 000 livebirths) ( 2010 ) not available
Proportion of population with sustainable access to improved water source ( 2006 ) 89
Proportion of population with access to improved sanitation ( 2006 ) 67